It appears the markets watched… reacted…. adjusted…. and now have studied. The results continue to erode.

Greece seems to be ready to leave the Eurozone and French Socialists will be disappointed when Hollande bows to the inevitable and restores austerity with a different perfume. Bernanke is on record now telling Congress to pay attention to the Congressional Budget Office. he also nots there projections are too optimistic regarding growth in the economy.

Maybe the adults are starting to return to the room. The time is now…

Consulting Services, Parts, Uncategorized

Proactive Parts Programs

So let’s start the week properly.

For your parts business. Each and every customer phone call or customer counter visit we should be asking two questions. Every time.

What is the machine model and serial number for this parts order?
Who is doing the work for you?

With the model and serial number we can update the machine population records which we will discuss later and with the answer on who is doing the work for you we will know more about our competition. The time is now…

Uncategorized

Germany Step 1

Merkel’s party lost a significant portion of their vote. Their junior partner did better than expected but not enough to secure a coalition majority. The real test will be on the 13th. The time is now.

Uncategorized

A Greek Tragedy

Well the early returns indicate that both parties that led the country back from the brink with austerity and international bailouts are being punished and that there will be no clear winner in the election today. This will cause further turmoil. Isn’t that what is needed now? Not.

We are witnessing a “New Reality” which I believe is equally significant as was the Industrial Revolution. Shifting demographics and shifting economic stories are leaving politicians in the unwelcome position of have to deal with the truth of their past sins. It is interesting that we are all being bought with our own money (albeit it borrowed) at the polling booths. The past several decades labelled as the most successful in human history have brought great successes to a much broader segment of society but it appears as if it has all been done with smoke and mirrors in an unsustainable fashion. But that is clearly above my pay grade and not within my realm of expertise. The time is now.

Uncategorized

Tempting Conclusion

In the absence of a clear decisive leadship people will do what they think is the right thing.

Bennis says that “good leaders are not outsiders who cheer on a group. They are part of that group, integrated deeply into its fabric and emotional life.” This might give some insight on France. “Someone who views himslef as an outsider or as above other members of the group can almost never succeed as a leader.” Going further he says “If there isn’t a deep connection, a real fit, the group will either eject the leader or destroy itself in the attempt.” Interesting thoughts for the times. The time is now…

Uncategorized

France Decides – One down five to go

We will be embarking on potentially a new direction involving more spending and more debt. I wonder how the markets will react. The time is now.

Uncategorized

France, Greece, Serbia, Germany, Italy and Armenia

Today is a very significant day in Europe. What with the orbit of the moon putting us the closest we have been in decades and the earth shattering potential with European elections everyone should be tuned in to the results. Expect the unexpected and the continuation of the kicking the can down the road to future generations. Perhaps even in Germany. The time is now…

Uncategorized

TED.com

How did you like the Perspective talk?

Life is pretty simple isn’t it? It is people that screw it up.

The time is now….

Uncategorized

France and Greece

This should be an interesting weekend. Growing up in the sixties – the “if it feels good do it” generation – I suspect that the people in both countries will be in denial – a different form of “hope and change”. France should elect a Socialist for the first time in a long time who is promising higher taxes on Companies and the High Income Producers and in Greece there is talk of fringe parties gaining and wanting to leave the eurozone or renegotiate the recent bailouts. Oh my. I wonder when the adults will show up?France with government spending at 56% of GDP will be the most instructive to me. The youth should be hopping mad at the actions or inactions of the “adults” in power almost everywhere. The time is now…

Uncategorized

First Weekend in May

Another beautiful day in paradise here and I hope the same is true where you are too. Enjoy your family time and refresh.

The time is now..

TESTIMONIALS

Check out www.aed-leadership.com and join in.

October 8, 2013

Navigating the complexities of the truck driver shortage

Bob Rutherford is a 50-year veteran of the trucking industry. Thirty of those years were as a member of the TMC where he earned both the Silver Spark Plug and Recognized Associate awards for his contributions to the industry. He is also an Ambassador for the EnergyandMobility.org Conference. Today he shares a paper by John E. Dorer, "Navigating the complexities of the truck driver shortage."

The powerful brand of CCJ reaches 96,500 subscribers within the freight transport business. Many of these are the fleet executives and managers that have the buying power to grow your business. This multi-channel brand allows for repeated impressions in effective formats.

Navigating the complexities of the truck driver shortage

A Paper by John E. Dorer

Courtesy of Bob Rutherford of CCJ.

The trucking industry, an essential backbone of the U.S. economy, faces an ongoing critical challenge: a significant shortage of drivers.

This shortage — 60,000 as estimated by the American Trucking Associations — is not just a transient issue. It has profound implications on the supply chain, affecting everything from the availability of everyday consumer goods to the stability of national economic growth.

The industry, alongside government entities, is implementing or exploring a variety of strategies to fill the gap, from recruiting a more diverse range of employees and offering specialized training to technological advancements such as autonomous trucks and government policy changes like more flexible hours of service.

Why the shortage?

The trucking industry’s labor challenge is multifaceted, stemming from a combination of demographic, economic and regulatory factors.

Aging workforce
One of the primary reasons for the driver shortage is the aging demographic of current drivers. Many are nearing retirement age, and there aren’t enough younger drivers entering the profession to replace them. At 46, according to the American Trucking Associations, or as high as 60 in CCJ’s 2023 “What Drivers Want” survey, the average age of a commercial truck driver in the U.S. is significantly higher than that of the overall workforce, 42, indicating a generational gap in the industry.

Challenges in attracting younger drivers
A variety of factors have made it a challenge for the industry to attract younger drivers. The demanding nature of the job, long hours away from home, and the perception of truck driving as a less desirable career path contribute to the issue. Moreover, federal regulations require commercial truck drivers to be at least 21 years old to drive interstate, which limits the pool of younger drivers who can enter the field immediately after high school.

Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the trucking industry. Many drivers were laid off or chose to leave due to health concerns or to care for family members. The pandemic also disrupted training and licensing processes, creating a backlog of new drivers trying to enter the industry.

Regulatory changes and implications
Over the years, regulatory changes have also affected the trucking industry. Hours-of-service regulations, designed to ensure drivers get adequate rest, also limit the number of hours a driver can work, impacting earnings and job appeal. Compliance with these and other regulations like the electronic logging device mandate add to the operational complexities for drivers and companies.

Economic factors
Economic factors play a significant role in the labor shortage. While truck driving can be lucrative, the pay structure (often based on miles driven or hours worked) and the lack of regular home time can be deterrents. The rising cost of living and stagnant wages in certain segments of the industry also contribute to the difficulty in attracting and retaining drivers.

Impact of the shortage

The truck driver shortage has wide-reaching implications that affect not just the industry, but the entire supply chain and U.S. economy.

Supply chain disruptions
The shortage directly affects the efficiency of the supply chain. With fewer drivers available, there’s a delay in the transportation of goods. This leads to longer delivery times and can cause shortages of products in various sectors, from retail to manufacturing. The just-in-time delivery model, which many businesses rely on, is particularly vulnerable to such disruptions.

Increased costs for consumers
The inefficiencies in the supply chain inevitably lead to increased costs, which are often passed on to consumers. The shortage of drivers can lead to higher shipping rates, and these increased costs can result in higher prices for goods. This inflationary effect can have a significant impact on consumer spending and the overall economy.

Challenges for trucking companies
Trucking companies are under immense pressure due to the driver shortage. They face increased operational costs, including higher wages to attract drivers, costs associated with driver turnover, and investments in recruitment and training. The competition for qualified drivers can also be intense, leading to a bidding war between companies.

Economic impact
Disruptions in trucking reverberate throughout the U.S. economic system. The driver shortage can hamper economic growth, affecting industries that rely on trucking for transportation of raw materials and finished products. It also impacts the labor market, with ripple effects in related sectors like logistics, warehousing and distribution.

Responses and solutions:

Recruitment strategies
Trucking companies are intensifying efforts to attract a diverse range of candidates, including younger individuals, retirees from other fields, military veterans and foreign nationals. These campaigns often highlight the benefits of truck driving, such as competitive pay, the opportunity for travel and, for immigrants, the chance at permanent residency and stable work in America.

Training and licensing
Specialized training programs are being offered to efficiently prepare new drivers. There is also advocacy for lowering the interstate commercial driving age to 18 to expand the potential driver pool.

Technological innovations
Technological advancements, including the development of autonomous trucks, are seen as a long-term solution to the labor shortage. Meanwhile, improvements in truck technology are making the profession more attractive and less physically demanding.

Policy changes
Revising regulations, such as hours-of-service, and providing funding for training initiatives are ways the government is contributing. Furthermore, improving the efficiency of utilizing immigration programs, which allow skilled and unskilled workers, including truck drivers, to immigrate to the U.S., would benefit the industry.

A complex web of challenges makes potential solutions to the commercial truck driver shortage equally complex. Trucking companies and government agencies must be just as diverse in strategies to put more drivers on the road, ensuring stability in the supply chain and economy.

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January 31, 2024