Featured Blogger Benjamin Bellville

Dealing with freight brokers as I covered in previous posts is an integral part of the freight logistics process, perhaps the most important if you will be getting the majority of your freight from freight load boards. This job goes hand in hand with customer relations and building your trucking companies image. In this introduction to dealing with freight brokers I will go over the basic attitude and approach you should have when booking a load.

When you make a call on a load that you find on a freight load board you will be entering into what is a business negotiation. Remember it is your business you do not have to agree to anything you feel is not in the best interest of your company. This is not a time to be weak, nor is it a time to be unreasonable. In every business deal there exists what I call the “Sweet Spot” of a deal. This is the spot where everyone involved makes their fair share of the money out there to be made on a load.

One of the main problems in this industry is that not many freight brokers or trucking companies believe in this theory,instead everyone is out to take the other side for every penny they can get. This more than anything is what creates the freight rate volatility that is synonymous with the trucking industry. Contrary to what you may have heard there are plenty of fair freight brokers out there to do business with.

When you are negotiating be upfront with the broker and let them know exactly what you need payed to haul the load for them (DO NOT just ask them what it pays, you start the bidding!) Just like in any negotiation start a little higher than what you could really do the load for, but be realistic. If you call and demand $3 a mile for every load you haul you will find yourself sitting around and going broke very quickly, it’s just not going to happen. Be willing to bend a little if you feel it is someone who you would want to do business with in the future.

You would be surprised that loyalty still does exist in the trucking industry though it is harder to find these days. By being flexible and respectful of good brokers you may eventually get on their go to list. This is when they will start calling you out of the blue to offer you their best paying freight because they know you are reliable and dependable and have done great work for them in the past. No one is going to just start feeding a new company the best freight they have as those are their more important customers that they need to be sure are serviced to the utmost standards. It took me in some cases 10-15 on time non damaged loads before I started getting higher paying freight more frequently with certain brokers.

Finally if a deal can’t be reached it’s important to remember that you may still be dealing with that particular freight broker again in the future. Make sure they remember you by always stating your name and your company name clearly. Be genuine and say things such as, “Sorry we could not reach a deal on this one, maybe we’ll get together in the future.” Because of using this approach I could go into my broker list and call any of them and to this day they would remember me, this is what you want to achieve.

Remember any part of a great business game plan includes doing business with people who have your success in mind, be sure to visit Express2290 and find out why they are the premier excise tax service around and what they can offer your company.

Featured Blogger Benjamin Bellville

Involving drivers in the freight logistics process can be a great way to boost your overall effectiveness when it comes to moving freight and customer relations. Many small trucking company owners don’t understand that this is a process that begins with the hiring of their drivers. First I’m going to show you some things to look for in employees that you will want for your company, then I will outline the ways you can involve them in the freight logistics process and the benefits it will afford your company by doing so.

Driver Hiring Criteria
When you are going to involve your drivers more in the day to day operations decisions you will need to look for a certain type of driver. Just because a driver has a clean driving record and good recommendations does not necessarily mean they are the driver for you and your approach. Here is what you should look for in the interview process.

• Are they business minded?
• Do they have strong organizational skills?
• Do they have great communications skills?
• Do they look professionally presentable?
• Are they experienced in trucking company operations?
• Do they know how to use a load board and book freight?
• Basic computer skills?
• Are they safety and compliance minded?
• Do they believe in driving fuel efficiently?
• Can they perform basic mechanical tasks?

This is just the tip of the iceberg here, and will be dependant on just how much responsibility you want to give your drivers over time. Important to remember is that many truck drivers choose to drive for small companies because they are made to feel like they are more a part of the process and that what they think matters. This type of approach fosters confidence in your company and has a higher retention rating than just treating them like another number in a truck.

If you feel they may just be inexperienced in the industry but are business minded enough to train then by all means give them a shot. Sell your company as a building ground for drivers to build their own business within your business while providing them all of the tools and help they will need to some day branch out on their own. Include them daily in the freight logistics process as by involving drivers you will be shocked at what they are truly capable of. After all they are the ones with the real road experience who have a better idea of what it takes to get freight from point A to B that someone in an office has to guess at.

Teach them how to be your eyes and ears and as a group your company will virtually run itself. Why more companies don’t understand this I will never know. They treat drivers exactly the way they are stereotyped in the news and by society, how does this make a driver feel good about working for you or make them truly care about your business success?

I hope this week’s freight logistics posts have given you much food for thought and an idea of how to approach this topic when you start your company or how to make things better in your current company. Of course this has just been some highlights meant for a basic understanding, it’s up to you to unlock the approach that makes you most comfortable and that you feel provides you the best chance of success.

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We get asked this question all the time and we love it! We can’t say why the other companies charge so much but we can certainly explain why we keep our prices so low. The short answer is value and customer loyalty.

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We believe that this approach helps establish long term customer relationships, repeat business, and customer referrals. We’re in this for the long haul and we hope you are too.

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What is Form 2290?
Form 2290 is the form used to file a Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return. It is required for highway motor vehicles that have a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.

Who files Form 2290?
If a taxable highway motor vehicle is registered (or required to be registered) in your name at the time of its first use and the vehicle has a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. This goes for individuals, limited liability companies, corporations, partnerships, or other organizations.

Why file Form 2290?
You’re required to file Form 2290 with the IRS for highway motor vehicles that have a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.

When is Form 2290 filed?
Form 2290 must be filed for each month a taxable vehicle is first used on public highways during the current tax period, which begins on July 1, 2010 and ends on June 30, 2011.

The IRS provides this example:

John uses a taxable vehicle on July 1, 2010. John must file Form 2290 by August 31, 2010 for the period beginning July 1, 2010, through June 20, 2011. To figure the tax, John would use the amounts on Form 2290, page 2.

Where to file Form 2290
The IRS encourages all filers to file electronically, though it is required of those reporting 25 or more vehicles. You can get your filing done at ExpressTruckTax.com and save time and money.

Need some help with your 2290 filing? The experts at ExpressTruckTax.com have the answers to all your questions.

What qualifies as a “highway motor vehicle”?
The IRS says a highway motor vehicle is any self-propelled vehicle designed to carry a load over public highways, whether or not that vehicle is also designed to perform other functions. Examples include trucks, buses and truck tractors. For the most part, vans and pickup trucks are not subject to this tax because their taxable gross weight is usually less than 55,000 pounds.

What qualifies as a “public highway”?
Any rod in the United States that is not a private roadway. That includes federal, state, county and city roads.

Are there any vehicles exempt from filing Form 2290?
Yes. Vehicles operated by:

• The Federal Government
• The District of Columbia
• A state or local government
• The American National Red Cross
• A nonprofit volunteer fire department, ambulance association , or rescue squad
• An Indian tribal government but only if the vehicle’s use involves the exercise of an essential tribal government function
• A mass transportation authority created under a statute that gives it certain powers normally exercised by the state
• A qualified blood collector vehicle
• Mobile machinery that meets the specifications for a chassis

Who files when a vehicle is dual registered?
If a taxable vehicle is dual registered to an owner and another person, the owner is liable for the tax and must file Form 2290.

What is the Taxable Gross Weight?
The taxable gross weight of a vehicle (except buses) is the total of

• The actual unloaded weight of the vehicle fully equipped for service
• The actual unloaded weight of any trailers equipped for service usually used with the vehicle
• The weight of the maximum load usually carried on the vehicle and on any trailers usually used with the vehicle.

What is the Taxable Gross Weight for buses?
It’s the bus’ actual unloaded weight fully equipped for service plus 150 pounds for each seat provided for passengers and driver.

Can I pay my tax online?
Yes. If you’re filing electronically, you can pay the IRS using Electronic Funds Withdrawal, or with the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System

Using a website or online software to e-file your Excise tax? Look for these things first:
-An IRS authorized e-file provider logo
-A secure, encrypted site (indicated by https URL) to keep your information safe
-Security certification from a third party internet security company
-Updated Privacy Policy and Terms of Use documents
-A phone number and physical address