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

Driver Training - Plan for Success

In my previous blog post I explained the need for comprehensive driver training. In this next instalment I'm going to lay out a three-part plan that I think will help you achieve it.... Read More

Education

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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

Hello gang: Hope you are one of the fortunate few who is seeing signs of a real turnaround in the trucking industry. Most haven't. There is still lots and lots of uncertainly and a real reticence to make long term decisions.

I recall that cute story of the Little League coach that walked out to the mound to relieve his pitcher. The young fellow looked at his coach and said, "Ah, come on, coach, I struck this guy out last time." and the coach said, "Yeah, but this is the same inning." I know that for a lot of my truckers, this inning has lasted a really long time. ... Read More

A recent trend in the state of the driver labor marketthat really caught my eye, and illustrates how we think timely information can help carriers adapt to changes, wasa dramatic change in thedriving experience of applicants.In 2008,the years of driving experience for applicants across ourcustomer basestayed in a pretty narrow range. From a low of 6.4 years of driving experience in June to a high of 7.2 years in January, the experience level stayed within about 6 months.This average held constant for the duration of 2008. Suddenly, in February of 2009, the driving experience level of applicants shot up to 12.1 years, almost double the previous levels. This increase continued into March (19.2 years) and April (11.6 years).... Read More