This post was written by Bill Kistner for Duff Swain and Trincon Group.

Extensive research by Michigan State University has shown that traditional hiring methods only provide a 14% likelihood of a successful hire. This means that more than eight out of ten times you will not get the right person for the job. That gives you, if you are lucky, two good drivers out of the ten you hired.... Read More

Education

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Create a Transition

Transition new drivers into the job and their usage of the company truck. In the process, protect your investment by assuring they have retained what they learned in orientation. The most practical way to do this is by having an experienced driver trainer go with the driver on his or her first series of loads. This reinforces what was learned in orientation and gets the new driver off on a positive start. It is also one more opportunity to make sure the new driver is qualified and a good fit.... Read More

Treat Recruiting as a Sales Department

While the industry has proven its ability to recruit drivers, many companies overlook the fact that the recruitment process is an excellent retention tool. The entire process provides your first and best chance to sell the benefits of your company. Companies should hire recruiters with proven selling skills, knowledge and personality attributes.... Read More

In part 2 of my 5-part series on driver retention I focus on the reasons most drivers give for quitting, and touch on a series of simple changes carriers can implement to stem the exodus of drivers from their company.

Why Drivers Leave

Repeatedly, this fact is proven: Drivers leave companies because they perceive a lack of communication and feel like they are not respected or valued. It is not a pay issue. Time and time again trucking companies have increased pay, only to find that the driver will still leave, blaming poor earnings or lack of miles.Read More

There's a hole in our collective boat and we're doing little more than bailing. The trucking industry continues to fight record turnover rates, leaving companies scrambling to cover lost productivity while they recruit and re-train new drivers as fast as they leave. For larger carriers, it has become a revolving door effect. ... Read More

Companies who are forward thinking can actually take advantage of this market if they change now. When the economy improves, there will be a shortage of trucks and drivers. Those carriers who are left standing will have access to better drivers and a larger customer base.Read More

All companies, regardless of size, will continue to grapple with the abysmal driver turnover rate. This trend, which can devastate an individual company and threatens to undermine the entire industry, must be stemmed. Better management techniques need to be employed to appropriately train drivers to address not only the turnover rate, but also the driver shortage. Currently, many drivers don’t feel they are considered a part of the team. Owners must seek ways to convince drivers they are an integral part of the company team and that they add value to the organization.Read More

Current Concerns of the Industry

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When financial times are troubled, it becomes increasingly important to manage your business effectively and efficiently. This is especially true in capital-intense enterprises such as the truckload segment of the transportation industry. As the trucking industry has struggled through the process and aftermath of deregulation, it has become increasingly apparent that many companies are not managing their assets properly. The lack of effective marketing efforts and appropriate management techniques has allowed the trucking industry to become a buyer's market.Read More