Moving Words – Rut or Groove

Timothy Brady

“It takes guts to get out of the ruts.” Robert H. Schuller

What’s the difference between a ‘rut’ and a ‘groove’ when it comes to the moving and storage business?

Being in a ‘rut’ would indicate stagnation. In other words, you’re spinning your wheels, causing your moving business to seemingly stay in one place without advancing in a profitable direction. Your business is either barely meeting the goals you’ve set or not meeting the revenue needs required to grow. There’s just enough revenue to keep you in business as you’re meeting your break-even point, but there never seems to be any capital left over at month’s end to even look at expanding.

Being in the ‘groove’ indicates everything is running smoothly with productive and profitable lanes. Each of your vans and offices are showing a profit at the end of each quarter; things are running like clockwork, a well-oiled logistics machine. You have the revenue to meet your capital and profit goals and grow at a sustainable and manageable rate.

So how do you move your operation from being stuck in a rut to running in the groove?

First step: Evaluate where your operation is out of step with the rest of the logistics world. This could be as simple as being in the right place at the wrong time. Example: you’ve got great outbound freight to a destination, but once delivered, there’s a two or three day wait for decent-paying shipments to start building your next run. One possible solution to go from the rut into the groove might require coordinating with other moving companies and agents in the area to have a prepared number of shipments scheduled for your vans.

Second step: Are your goals attainable? Have you set goals that are too high? Think in terms of an ‘A’ frame ladder. The top step is your ultimate goal. Are you trying to make that goal in a single leap from the ground? If this is true, keep in mind that just like getting to the top of an ‘A’ frame ladder, it’s necessary to take it one step at a time. Any other means of attempting to expedite the climb will land most companies flat on the ground, in worse shape than when they began. Make sure your goals are attainable, and if they’re too lofty, then set several single-step goals that help you climb to the top.

Third step: Write your goals on a piece of paper; or, better yet, write them large enough to be read from across the office where you’ll see them on a daily basis. This helps provide focus and keeps your goals in view.

Fourth step: Make a systematic list of how you’ll reach each goal.

Fifth step: All the goal-setting and planning in the world is worthless unless you take action on it. Remember, you can think, plan, or worry all day long, but it’ll do nothing positive for your trucking operation if you don’t act. So above all else, fight the urge to procrastinate.

To get out of a rut and into the groove requires action above all else. Your actions can then spell s-u-c-c-e-s-s.

“When you get a groove going, time flies.” – Donald Fagen