ADAPTING BUSINESS TO A NEW REALITY BY SCOTT BIDDLE, President and CEO at Scotlynn
With the increase in e-commerce and growing consumer demand, our industry has been expected to keep up with quicker delivery dates and management of an increased number of goods more than ever before. Recent patterns of consumer growth are a clear indication that our industry will continue to grow, with demand for workers rapidly increasing so the effectiveness of our supply chain can continue. According to estimations from Trucking HR Canada, our country will need to hire more than 17,000 new truck drivers annually until 2025. The way I see it, there’s never been a better time to become a commercial driver. Trucking is a stable and rewarding career choice with lots of job security. Yet many current and prospective drivers aren’t aware of the range of driving opportunities available, causing them to worry about long treks and work-life balance. But as I have said many times before, trucking is more than just the notion of driving and delivering on time every time. Today, Drivers seek the complete package, including routes that fit their lifestyle and a company culture that aligns with their values, employee benefits, and job security. Shipping and logistics providers are best suited to the change the industry desperately needs. Our responsibility is to explore strategies that provide drivers with opportunities that demonstrate a company culture of driver appreciation and facilitate driver comfort for every stage of their lives. Addressing the Evolution of Truck Driving I have worn many hats over the last 30 years of my career at Scotlynn; I was the first driver, the first dispatcher, the first salesperson, and the first safety manager. Even though it has come with no shortage of obstacles, it has given me a unique perspective and understanding of the core fundamentals of driver satisfaction. There is no arguing that our growth and success are attributed to our professional drivers and carrier partners who set the bar for professionalism and reliability. While we may not have always got it right, we have remained motivated by priorities that drive our daily decisions as a premier transportation provider and asset-based logistics company operating across North America. I have talked to many drivers who have helped build a theory that we must fit our business to better suit our drivers. This drove us to investigate how driver habits and routines have changed – which uncovered a crucial need to implement a new driver-centric strategy without disrupting our organization. It looked like this: considering the wellbeing of fleet drivers, addressing the entire carrier experience, and surpassing fleet reputations. Considering the Wellbeing of Fleet Drivers So, we started with the basics, adapting our business to meet driver satisfaction better. Commitment from our drivers needed to come by way of deliberately sourcing business that will offer them the
10 TRUCK 'N' ROLL MAGAZINE ONLINE https://issuu.com/truck_n_roll_magazine Photo credit: Scotlynn
