Communicating with Your Customers

Many things can go wrong in the day-to-day life of a freight broker. Loads can get lost, freight can be damaged, drivers or shippers can be late to a pickup or a delivery. There are a lot of factors that are out of your control. So, how do you keep your customer happy when there are so many wild cards? 

As a freight broker, the only thing you have 100% control over is how you communicate with your customers. Whether things are going good or bad, quality communication is the secret ingredient to growing a successful freight brokerage. If you are always honest with your customer and keep them updated on what’s happening, they will grow to respect you and trust you. 

Here are some additional tips for successful communication with your customers:

• Listen more than you talk. Always be sure to listen actively to what your customer has to say. 

• Don’t be afraid of pauses in the conversation. If you are thinking of what you are going to say next while your customer is talking, you may not fully digest what they said. Take the time to process and think before you speak. 

• Recognize and respect emotions. When a problem arises, your customer may have an emotional reaction. Whether they are slightly frustrated, panicked or infuriated, make sure you acknowledge how they feel in addition to solving the problem. In other words, be empathetic. 

• Keep them informed as often and as accurately as possible. If you are having trouble solving a problem, let them know. If you are busy and can’t deal with them until later in the day, let them know. Whatever the circumstances may be, always be honest and upfront with your customer.

If you have questions about effective customer communication or anything else industry-related, I'd be happy to help. Give me a call anytime on my cell at (817)-897-0681. 

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
214-206-1169
www.brooketraining.com

Train to be a Freight Broker Now for only $99 Down!

We are thrilled to announce that we are now offering 100% financing for our online course. You can enroll today for only $99 down. If you are interested in becoming a freight broker, this is the perfect opportunity to get started. What could be better than learning a new exciting career from the comfort of your home?

Here’s what you’ll learn: 

• How to build, open and operate a successful freight brokerage or freight broker agency
• Licensing and regulations
• Operations and ratings
• Sales and marketing
• Back office details 
• Necessary skills, materials, and resources to reference as you build your business

Upon graduation, you’ll also have the ability to attend our Job Opportunity and Resource Friday, where you will meet freight brokerage recruiters and industry professionals, and discuss agent positions. Whether you intend on becoming an independent broker or working as an agent, you’ll be inspired, meet potential employers, and network with complementary businesses.

Zig Ziglar said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” We believe this is the key to success. That’s why we strive to help all our graduates find success and continue to support and mentor them even after they complete our course. 

If you’re interested in this opportunity, contact Ricky Ortega at (951) 972-3654. 

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

214-206-1169

www.brooketraining.com

Know Your Customers

The best way to be responsive to your customers is to know them.  As you work with a shipper you get to know the way they go about business.  You can then anticipate when they need your assistance in shipping.   You will know their busy season and when they slow down.  You can then gear up ahead of time knowing you will be working hard that season.  You can also hopefully enjoy the break when things are slow. 

The freight broker should act as an extension of a customer's shipping department.  As you work with a customer over time, trust should develop and grow.  Trust is critical in building a long history with a client.  Prices can be negotiated but trust cannot.  Once a trust is broken it is almost impossible to rebuild that relationship, in business as in life.

Learn about a customer's business.  The more knowledgeable you are about what they do the more you will have to discuss with them when you interact.  That knowledge will help you know how to best meet their shipping needs.

Some customers may become friends, fishing or golfing buddies.  Over time I have become true friends with some of my customers.

It is a great time to be in the transportation industry.  It is a great time to start building relationships.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
214-206-1169
www.brooketraining.com

Congrats on Starting Exciting New Careers!

We had another successful class this month full of motivated and hard-working individuals. With the help of our expert instructors, they are now ready to take on their exciting new careers as freight brokers! They described the course valuable, motivating, encouraging, and informative. They also acknowledged the valuable contacts they received for potential employment. Read their full testimonials here:

“Overall experience was great. Instructor was very patient and went through the material

thoroughly....Fundamental concepts of becoming a Broker and/or agent was very clear. Instructor's knowledge and experience was concise to the material at hand.”  

- B. Molina

“I've learned very valuable information from class such as how a broker and agent work and what makes them different. How to get customers knocking on doors, making calls, going to events.... Learning about different equipments and insurances they must have etc.”   

“Instructor shows a lot of enthusiasm/passion about his job, gets me motivated into reaching for my goals in this industry. Great advisor & Instructor! Can't wait to get out...in this industry!” 

- S. Johnson 

“I was very pleased taking this course. I felt motivated and encouraged. The instructor was very knowledgeable. The material is very helpful and understandable.  Thank-you Brooke!” 

- M. Panchame

“The training was very informative and provided a lot of insight on logistics. There was also a lot of contacts given for potential employment.” 

- Alexis Khamphavong 

“My week of the training course was very informative. I really like the way the school used different individuals to bring out and focus on what is needed to get started as well as succeed in this business.” 

- Bee Khamphavong

“Coming into this I had absolutely no knowledge of the freight broker business. With the help of Drake Sliver and Tish Cozine, I now understand the basics. Both instructors were very knowledgeable and had no problem going into depth. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in the freight broker industry. Thanks guys!” 

- Javaria Owens 

Have you ever considered starting a career as a freight broker? Join us at one of our upcoming live classes or take our online course from the comfort of your home. Feel free to call me today if you have any questions or would like to discuss your future (214) 206-1169

Moving Forward,

Jeff Roach

www.brooketraining.com

Control Your Destiny

One of the great things about being a freight broker or freight broker agent is you can control your own destiny.  If you are an individual that is self-motivated and will work hard to achieve, then you would make a great freight broker. 

As a freight broker or a freight broker agent you are your own boss.  You call the shots.  So your success depends on you.  Not everyone is cut out to be their own boss.  Some people need a boss telling them what to do and then make sure the work gets done.  As a freight broker you have to keep yourself going. 

I recommend my new freight brokers build a network of others around them that will help encourage them when their motivation and inspiration starts to lag.  I try to inspire graduates to keep pushing forward knowing they will reap benefits.

Plaster inspirational messages all around your work area so that where ever you turn there will be some wisdom to read.

Always have an inspirational book you are reading either digitally or an old school hard copy.  Subscribe to blogs or virtual newsletters that give industry information as well as motivational tips. 

I have three main mentors in my life that have kept me on track many times when I was veering off direction. 

Think about what motivates you best and find ways to keep that motivation coming.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.brooketraining.com

2 for 1 Special--last chance

2 for 1 special 

through the end of February 2017.  

Come to freight broker training and bring your spouse, your business partner or a friend.  Both of you will get trained for the price of one.  You can take the class whenever it fits in your schedule.  So long as you put a deposit down on the course before the end of February you will get the 2 for 1 special.  

 

There is a reason why all the transport companies are hiring. We have never ever had a better environment for freight transport specialist and those companies who arrange transportation services for profit (freight brokers).  I truly can’t think of a better time to be in this industry in my 30 year career in the freight industry.

Every day on the news I hear great signals for economic prosperity on the horizon.  The Dow Jones just hit an all time high.  Regardless of your political views, the macro picture for the transportation industry has never been better.

We hear that new construction of manufacturing plants is in the works.
US companies are trading at all time highs on the stock exchange, which means more capitol investments.

USA is investing in infrastructure improvements including the building of more pipelines, highways and tunnels.  I recently heard that a large percentage of our bridges need bolstering.  All these projects will require the transportation of needed materials, equipment, and food. 

In anticipation of this economic opportunity, Brooke Transportation Training Solutions is offering a two for the price of one special.   

Training with another has great benefits.  We have many husband and wife teams train together so they both know how to run the business.  A partner may hear different things so together a team will be better informed.  During training each person may figure what area of the business they feel best suits their skills and personality.  Partners can help motivate and inspire the other.  So come join us.

This is your chance to get a great head start in your career as an agent or broker and bring a friend along.

Call me direct

Jeff Roach
817-897-0681

New Freight Brokers in the Making!

It's so rewarding to receive positive feedback for a job well done. Our instructor, Drake, did a terrific job providing our latest graduates with all the valuable knowledge they need to become successful freight brokers. The students described him as knowledgeable, helpful, passionate, understandable, clear and awesome. Way to go, Drake! I am so pleased to hear that these incredible individuals left class full of knowledge and that they are not only ready but also excited to take on their new careers. Read their full testimonials here:

“The freight broker class was very informative. Being in the transportation business, this class opened my eyes to the many opportunities to grow my business. Drake was very knowledgeable, helpful and passionate. Thank you Drake for such a great lesson. We will refer any and all newcomers to Brooke Transportation Training.” 

- Brandon Benjamin

“Drake, this class was awesome. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know until I took this class. Drake gave me a step by step guide on how to be successful in this business. He was very patient and thorough. For anyone interested in freight broker training, reach out to Brooke Transportation Training. Trust me, you won’t regret it." 

- Margarita Quinones

“I learned a lot in this class. I would enjoy doing this. Drake was professional and the method that he used to teach is clear." 

- Luis Fernando D.

“Love the class. Drake was very professional. The way that he teaches the class is very clear and understandable. I really like the program. I think this is something that I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life.” 

- J. Alvarez

“This class has definitely taught me a lot. I came here with zero knowledge about the freight industry. Drake was a great teacher who is very passionate. He never let us go on with something unclear. I wish I took more than just the basic training course. 

- Omar K.

“Drake is an awesome teacher. He is very knowledgeable. I really enjoyed the class.” 

- Mary Yonka

Have you ever considered starting a career as a freight broker? Join us at one of our upcoming live classes or take our online course from the comfort of your home. Feel free to call me today if you have any questions or would like to discuss your future (214) 206-1169

Moving Forward,

Jeff Roach

www.brooketraining.com