by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Dec 15, 2016 | BLOG
You don’t need a ton of cash to create a rewarding work experience and have satisfied people. Years ago people worked for their paycheques and that was good enough for them. Times have changed and that’s a good thing! Today, if you hire the right people
they want to be engaged with the work they do. They want to contribute, they want to be heard and their work needs to be meaningful.
A recent survey found that that just 3% of employees said pay was the main motivator at work. Purpose and meaning represented 73% of what meant most at work. If you’re a small business stop saying you cannot compete with the “big dogs” when it comes
to hiring talent. Stop saying you cannot pay people enough to recruit the best people. Yes, money and remuneration for what people do within your organization are important but it’s not the end all to be all. Here are a few tips to help make your small business
tick.
1) Does Seniority Really Matter?
People know on your team who’s who in the zoo. They talk. When you recruit new teammates, make sure they understand everyone is equal. Seniority can be poison in a small business. Make sure the people you work with know and feel that their opinions matter,
they have something to offer regardless of what they do for your organization. Get rid of the stigma in your building about starting at the bottom and working your way up.
2) The Little Things Matter.
It does not matter your size, every small business has something to offer. Free coffee, treats, choice of music in the office. A little slack when it comes to the time clock. A little flexibility when it comes to their time. Let them access their favorite
social media. If they are doing what they’re hired for and getting results don’t get bent out of shape when they’re texting or when you walk by their workstation and their screen changes because they’re doing something on their computer other then work or
their heads are down and they’re texting their friend on their phone. It’s all about moderation.
3) Ask Questions, Lots of Questions.
How is your job going? Do you like what you’re doing? These questions are good ice breakers when you’re talking with your people who make your company tick but you need to dig deeper. Why is their job going well? What do they like the most about what
they do? What do they like the least? Find out what makes your people tick. Be engaged – be genuine about this.
4) Take the Time
You’re a small business owner, so you have many things on the go every day. Sales meetings, planning sessions, customer relations, marketing and the list goes on and it’s all very important. The most important thing you can do regularly is to take the
time to check in with your people. Listen, ask questions, don’t be judgmental. Just because you started the company and know your sector of the business and industry does not make you the smartest person in the room. In fact, sometimes the best thing you can
do is be the dumbest person in the room and listen, ask questions, get other people’s take on things. Believe me, it will pay off.
I certainly don’t have all the answers but in my almost 30 years of running small businesses, I have learned so much. Much of what I have learned is from the mistakes I have made and tried not to make them again. Much of what I have learned is by listening
to successful people.
Finally, much of what I have learned is because I am surrounded with great people. Good people will come into your business and make a difference. If your Core Value is People like our business – and you mean it, money will matter but not as much as how
they feel, how you make them feel, how they are treated. Thank you are two of the greatest words ever heard.
About the Author
Kim Richardson has been in the transportation industry for 33 years. Currently he is the President of KRTS Transportation Specialists Inc. a multiple award winning family owned and operated business. Under the KRTS group of Businesses is Transrep Inc. and The Rear View Mirror. Kim is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Truck Training Association of Ontario (TTSAO), Board of Director of the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI). He is the past Chairman of the Board and current board member of Allied Trade Division of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) and past founding director of the Owner Operators Association of Canada (OBAC). Kim is a proud husband, dad, grandpa and loves his community, Caledonia, Ontario.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Dec 11, 2016 | BLOG
There is always lots of discussion about what a company brand looks like or what it should look like. How is a company brand created and most importantly, what do customers feel or say about your company brand.
Your company brand is based on your company’s culture, your core values and mission statement. In my early years of business this really meant nothing to me. Company brand? Culture? Core Values? Mission Statement? I was very naïve as to what any of this meant or just how important a company brand really is.
The word “brand” is one of those words that is used often but is unevenly understood. A good example of the importance of branding would be cattle ranchers. Years ago they “branded” their cattle so ownership could be easily determined. It separated one cattle rancher from the other. Some cattle were better than others.
Fast forward to today and nothing has changed even in our industry. There are certain brands in our sector that are simply best in class. Best carriers, Best service providers… you get where I’m going? In many cases the best generally do business with the best. Great carriers deal with great service providers because the service providers help make the carriers better. In most cases when you deal with the best it is reflective in the price. Great service providers and carriers tend to charge more. Why? Because they can! They are confident that they will do a better job and supply better service than the competitor and their customers know that.
Put simply, your brand is what your customers and prospective customers think of when he or she hears your company name. Your brand exists in someone’s mind.
Consistent strategic branding is about brand equity. Brand equity means the added value brought by your company’s product or service that allows you to charge more for an identical product/service offered by another company. One of the most obvious examples of brand equity is Coke and Pepsi. They are still able to charge more for their soda than the generic brands even though the products are identical in nature.
At KRTS our brand has been built on the quality of our people. Our core value is people and our business circle revolves around our people. It looks something like this, as owners, we look after our people by paying them well, offer them a healthy work environment and supply them with the best available tools to do their job. We communicate regularly in reference to our goals and objectives, treat them with dignity and respect and, with the exception of ongoing education and periodic guidance, we get out of their way so they can do what their best at in their respective positions.
The associates in turn understand our culture and expectations. They appreciate how they are treated and want to be a part of something successful which results in them going above and beyond for KRTS ever day! By doing this their efforts affect the level of service we are able to provide and our customers receive best in class service.
When your customers feel and experience this quality of service they are successful and doing well. When they accomplish these two things they talk about our business in a positive way which, in turn, effects our bottom line in a very positive way. It also affects our brand and separates us from the “generic” version which generally means cheaper but the results are never the same.
Our brand has been built on quality, service, reputation and most importantly our core value being people. A great recipe for a great brand!
About the Author
Kim Richardson has been in the transportation industry for 33 years. Currently he is the President of KRTS Transportation Specialists Inc. a multiple award winning family owned and operated business. Under the KRTS group of Businesses is Transrep Inc. and The Rear View Mirror. Kim is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Truck Training Association of Ontario (TTSAO), Board of Director of the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI). He is the past Chairman of the Board and current board member of Allied Trade Division of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) and past founding director of the Owner Operators Association of Canada (OBAC). Kim is a proud husband, dad, grandpa and loves his community, Caledonia, Ontario.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Dec 9, 2016 | BLOG
As you may or may not know, as of August 2016, Foundation Career College has changed its name to Transport Training Centres of Canada Ltd.
This signifies a major change not only in the branding of the company but also in the way the location will operate going forward.
Foundation Career College had typically been run as its own separate entity but with the campus now under the TTCC banner, changes have been made to ensure Transport Training Centres of Canada’s standard of top-notch training will be implemented in Dartmouth, NS.
The changes begin with the introduction of a state-of-the-art Virage Truck Driving Simulator.
The on-site simulator includes real truck parts and full simulation of virtually any type of heavy vehicle from dump trucks to highway tractor-trailer and semi-trailer applications. The unit also includes 3D sound and high fidelity visual scenes with a virtual 360 degree view from the driver’s seat (180 degree forward field of view and rear-view mirrors) using the latest LCD high resolution display technology.
We have seen this simulator training vastly improve the quality of drivers that we produce, as students get added time backing, shifting and more. The additional skill development has greatly improved our students’ confidence and knowledge.
The unlimited simulator training is available for all students (former and current) and demos are available at the campus for those interested.
The change to TTCC also means that we are going to be more involved with companies, as TTCC has done successfully for many years. We are taking a hands-on approach with job placements and internships and have developed systems to ensure students have the greatest chance of success in the workforce. We are very excited to work hand in hand with employers to ensure our graduates exceed employer expectations and to ensure that any concerns over previous experiences with Foundation Career College are those of the past.
If you are interested in learning more about our programs feel free to give us a call at 1-800-805-0662, visit our website at http://www.ttcc.ca/ or stop in to our campus located at 9 Pettipas Drive, Unit 1, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Dec 3, 2016 | BLOG
Ted Light wrote his own version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
It was a touching account of a trucker trying to make it home to his family on Christmas Eve.
It’s been 10 years but this month, I thought I’d share this special Christmas poem:
‘Twas the run before Christmas, in the cab of my truck, A hundred miles from home, I’m in need of some luck.
The kids hung their stockings, but are feeling quite sad, They must go to bed now, and they wonder, “Where’s Dad?”
With a kiss and a hug, all will be right, But alone in the kitchen, Mom grows more uptight.
Earlier that day, the children were grinning, As they speckled the tree, with bright balls and trimming.
Then sipping hot chocolate, and playing Christmas songs, And talking about Daddy, who’s been gone too long.
And now I can see her, her brow creased with fret, As the children start dreaming, there’s no presents yet.
Curled on the couch, running a hand through her hair, In the glow of the tree lights, hoping I’ll be there.
Then I imagine the morning, with my love at my side, In tumbling our children. I must finish this ride.
Howling winds, blowing snow, and ahead all is white, Doubts creeping in. Will I make it tonight?
Beside me in the cab, with the wind unforgiving, Pretty packages sit waiting, for sweet Christmas giving.
I’ve a truckload of wishes, and I must deliver, But the storm keeps on roaring, as my old engine shivers.
It’s hardy and stubborn, and it’s taken me miles, And I’ll need it tonight, to see my kids’ smiles.
Rolling over the drifts, rubber gripping the snow, My big rig keeps moving, but ever so slow.
I’m gripping the wheel, and grinding her gears, And that fierce wind’s just whistling, and I can’t hardly steer.
And great gusts are blowing me, to the side of the road, And I’m fighting my fear, as I steady my load.
What was that I noticed, with a glance to the sky, Could the weather be clearing, did a star catch my eye?
And then, in a heartbeat, not a moment too soon, The night sky emerges, twinkling stars and bright moon.
With clear road ahead, I quickly arrive, The children peek from the window, as I pull in the drive.
I pat the door of my rig, as my feet touch the ground, For on this special night, it brought me home safe and sound.
With a heart full of joy, and a smile on my face, I open our door, to a loving embrace.
The gifts round the tree, make a beautiful sight, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Nov 25, 2016 | BLOG, Uncategorized
An interview with Ruth Degen-Mackenzie, veteran driver
(By Michel Robichaud / “The Request Project”.)
Sunday 6:30 pm as I stop to park my vehicle in front of the ACS (Armour Courier service) building on Edinburg Dr. in Moncton, a sand colored GMC
pick up truck stops in a near distance. Realizing it’s the security guard, I decide to walk over to let him know about the purpose of my presence. Fifteen minutes later appears a white Freightliner Cascadia carrying a box trailer identified as SLH recognizable to its color scheme .
Ruth Degen-Mackenzie is pulling into the yard as the eighteen wheeler describes a wide loop in the middle of rising dust.
From the time she was dispatched and left with her load at Bridgewater Nova Scotia up in Moncton, less than five hours had passed. On schedule for our meeting, my camera focuses, already zooming on the motion sequence. Looking at the massive semi immobilized and introductions made, yet talking about all sorts and soon completing the photo shoot the ice would soon be broken!
But first things first, “there’s absolutely no lady thing” with Ruth and laughing about it, we then settle for “trucking gal” as her proper way to bring up our subject as far as introducing women in the trucking context.
Born on June 17, 1959 in Digby N.S. Ruth comes from a family whose grand father had been driving box trucks for local companies at one point in his life. Being a second generation driver by following those footsteps, one can surely testify that her fourteen years of experience behind the big wheel (including ten driving as team) runs in her blood. Currently working for SLH (Sears Long Haul) mostly running Canada/U.S. and travelling two main corridors; hauling basically tires from the Nova Scotia Michelin plant to South Carolina, Maryland, Alabama, Arkansas and Illinois states and delivering back to Canada. “We also haul tires from the province to Montreal QC and London ONT amongst other goods”. Finding her comfort zone with this company underlines all the importance and also the meaning of her past experiences. And yes, a million miller she is. Accumulating as well as logging in countless hours of operation is easier said than done she reminds us.
I asked Ruth what kept her there? “The respect and good treatment given to the drivers…” and adding “…It’s so great! The dispatchers have your back and do whatever they can to make things right… The runs are great also!” As I still listen, she replies “This company runs almost exclusive drop & hook, so not being stuck on a dock or unloading. If a tire load isn’t ready, then they will send you to pick up appliances or some other things that Sears sells. So there’s no sitting around; it is very, very rare to get a layover! They give you more than enough time to deliver. But should something happen, you just let them know and no questions asked. They only change the appointment time. If you get somewhere and there is no load ready, you still have driving time; they pay you for lost driving time.” In conclusion she mentions “I wish I had started there from the beginning.”
Trucking from Ruth’s perspective brings her back to her childhood memories when, at the young age of 13, she remembers pointing up at trucks passing by and telling to her friends “I’m going to drive those one of these days which would put them into hysterical laughter.” (I was so short…). And that resonating phrase “you won’t be able to reach the pedals!” surely made its effect; only in her mind it had a much different meaning. Thinking “Where do they go and what do they get to see!”.
Sure enough, her dream came to be, only much later in life after going on a trip in the U.S. with her eighteen year old sun who already had his class 1 driver’s license. She knew at this point in time what to aim for. E.I. (Employment Insurance) had given her the opportunity to join a local truck driving program. More determined than ever, Ruth had also convinced family and relatives of their full support and encouragement. No one, she says, was surprised about her decision. “My mom was proud of me doing it yet at the same time she worried. But she seemed to be a little more at ease as long as I ran team”.
Thereupon, Ruth is part of the growing presence of women whose contribution bring a whole new approach to this way of life as it does within the trucking industry. “Most people have no idea what this industry is about; but when I tell them I get paid to travel, you can see the light coming in their head so-to-speak.” The fact is that in a daily routine, drivers are bound to adapt themselves with numerous situations including driving time and in many cases long sleepless hours.
And the industry itself is in a constant changing mode. Finding your place and fitting in is a matter of three important elements in Ruth’s book: education, mentoring and security. Her advice to future generation who seek or ambition the specific profession would be the following recommendation: “…It would be nice to get the gals out there on career day, bring the truck and show things off, help them getting a good start on trucking life”.
A lot of drivers, such as Ruth Degen-Mackenzie, travel with a pet as companion. Mr. Chewie was seeking for a home and was offered as a gift to her husband as she states it: “This day I know because it was the hubby’s birthday gift…
Now this is the kicker, I’m getting a free Main coon cat, and his answer is no! (I never understood why he said that)”. As for me this cat made an impression on me just by its size. I never thought how big they could be.
Spending time on the road means making some for our interview when at a stop, at the end of the day (when extra energy can be spared) or on her days off. It made me realize that Facebook came in handy as more than half of our conversation was done over the keyboard.
A full working week has passed, crossing a long period of heavy rain stretching from Tennessee to Ohio state (640 miles) really puts you on your toes. Having logged in 3846 miles all combined and waiting for the next trip. As she recalls, the Freightliner is her rolling home; being away most of the time has develop Ruth’s sense of steady routine, particularly on well managed organisation around pre-trips. From home cooked meals to last minute verification’s of her truck prior to departure time.
On another note, Ruth describes herself as a ‘witch’ “To me a Witch is someone who listens to your feelings, pay attention to surroundings, learn to read and see the signs so to speak”; Being connected with life and people is a rule and fitting in a man’s world takes much determination even today; only in Ruth’s opinion it’s all in the mind and pretty simple: “If you want it bad enough you will become a trucker”… “We have more patience and we are more careful… I think the mother side of us really wants to make sure we don’t hurt anyone or anything”. In conclusion her professional background can be described as a hard one but well earned as far as experience is concerned.
Ruth Degen-Mackenzie to me is a living example for the younger generation although strength of character is definitely an asset . “… the fact we hit the road and live the excitement of travelling long distances is a great thing, but most importantly, I keep my beloved ones in mind…”
Interview realized in June of 2016 in Moncton N.B.
Photo credits: On Silver Wheels Photography.
Check out Michel’s Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/On-Silver-Wheels-Photography-783159908374048/
Email Michel Robichaud at michelrobichaud88@yahoo.ca
Website coming in 2017
