Moving Words – Transition
Timothy Brady
“Disenchantment, whether it is a minor disappointment or a major shock, is the signal that things are moving into transition in our lives.” – William Throsby Bridges
It’s been one interesting election cycle; hopefully by the time you read this, the November 3, 2020 Presidential election results will be history. And guess what – the economy keeps moving along and trucking keeps picking up and delivering the freight that drives the economy. The moving and storage industry will continue moving families from one location to another. However, there is still a cog in the wheel, COVID-19. This wheel has been out of line for over nine months, and the experts are telling us it’s going to be at least September before we can possible achieve the “New Normal.” And what that “normal” will be is still a guessing game, as the direction of COVID-19 is still uncertain.
According to Avery Vise, Vice President of Trucking, at FTR Transportation Intelligence, “The current wave of infections could force some retrenchment in commerce if it escalates. On the other hand, COVID-19 vaccines could become more widely available more quickly than we assumed. Those Alternatives represent sharply different outcomes for the economy and freight.” – Transport Topics, Dec. 21, 2020.
We well know the Moving segment of the trucking industry has seasonal cycles, in which shipment availability ebbs and flows within certain months of the year. The laws of supply and demand also impact all hauling segments, and are affected by weather, economic conditions, and political environment. One thing is certain: 80% of all American communities receive 100% of their products through trucking regardless of these conditions. If trucking stops, America halts too. However, that doesn’t mean any single carrier is indispensable. This is a competitive business that takes grit, a constant gamble and a load of knowledge to succeed. And this has become even more apparent during this pandemic.
Several supply chain experts are saying they don’t see a return to normal for a while: anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the expert. This is contingent on the economy and freight markets settling down once the pandemic is declared under control. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this will be when at least 80% of the population has an immunity to the virus.
Here are some steps you may consider to help your business reset to ‘normal’ during the first two quarters of 2021:
- Think lean—pare down the fat. Dispose of equipment which is sitting and not being utilized to produce revenue, but still draining money away in insurance, maintenance and storage costs.
- Think efficiency—look at your overall operation and figure ways to accomplish the day-to-day tasks with fewer wasted movements.
- Become more nimble—be prepared to act at a moment’s notice on any expected or unexpected situations your customers toss in your direction. The further out you plan your loads, the more nimble you become; the more consistent your loads, the more consistent your revenue.
- Improve communications—not just within your office or with your drivers, but also with your customers and your suppliers. Work on understanding times are tough on everyone and most companies. Realizing each other’s situation starts developing solutions that will bring success to all.
- Develop the ‘Team’—this includes working with your customers, brokers, load boards, drivers and employees by concentrating on common goals which benefit everyone.
Moving will always be filled with challenges. People will need the help of the moving and relocation industry to help them transition to a better life. We’ve all weathered the trials and tribulations of this industry before, and we won’t let COVID-19 stop us from moving forward. Godspeed in 2021.
“Times of transition are strenuous, but I love them. They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities, and be intentional about new habits. We can make our new normal any way we
want.” – Kristin Armstrong
