Don’t Just Complain, Be Part Of The Solution.

In my previous career as a retail district manager, on of my pet peeves was managers that would complain about stuff offering nothing but problems rather than solutions. Complaining and being a victim is easy. Helping to fix problems can be perceived as being harder (but it’s still pretty easy).

One of the things I read complaints about or hear about in terminals is that routing is consistently bad. Things like “they routed me on 2 lane highways the whole way” or something like that.

Roehl has an optional step in the workflow to rate the routing. I’m sure other companies have similar feedback options. I’ve used it a couple times to give feedback when I felt the route could be better, it when the navigation on the PC didn’t match up with local directions. Every time, I get a message back stating that they’ve reviewed the feedback and will fix the route. This morning I found out they really do fix it. On my way in to a shipper in NE MD, I was routed through Amish country. It was over 100 miles of two lanes through small towns. I was being routed back the same way for this mornings run. When I got there, I suggested a route that was slightly longer And included a small portion of toll road. but was all expressway. They send a note back that they agreed and would change the routing. This morning I had to update my ETA for arrival at the shipper due to a delay at my consignee. Sure enough, when the updated workflow arrived, the new improved routing was built into the plan.

If needed we can always call in to get a better route approved right on the spot rather than after the fact. I’ve done that a couple times as well. Funny enough. I’ve yet to have someone in routing tell me no, that’s a terrible idea stick with the route you were give.

I know I’m preaching to the choir here but it’s good to know companies want to do things that make drivers jobs a little easier. All we need to do is use the tools available to communicate what’s wrong.

So, here’s my thought. Let’s share some of the things you or your company have done to be part of a solution to problem rather than just being victim to the problem. It may help us rookies know what’s possible.

Fix our own lights, remove and replace.

Fix our own mud flaps, remove and replace.

If something needs repair on a trailer, report it, instead of leaving it for the next driver.