How Can This Happen?
In over 20+ years of observation, I have continued to ask myself why, over much demonstrable triumph and success, do contractors and ISP's continue to make the same mistakes that plunge them back into crisis situations over and over again? 
Why is it so easy to forget the pain, suffering and cost of crisis management?
First, An Insanity Definition
Insanity is defined by doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.
Let's look at an example of where most contractors exhibit insane behavior.
So, you know this is going to happen: One of your drivers is gong to quit. One is going to need to take off. One is going to require you to offer their services to the industry.
You also know, that sometimes, many times. this happens all at once. Then, who will it be who has to jump in the truck when this occurs?
How do you know it? Because it has happened before.
You also know the excruciating pain involved in digging out of this mess; recruiting, interviewing, file approval and training.
But somehow, after weeks of toil, you get back to "even". When you do, what is the very next step you take to see that this adventure does not take place again?
Nothing? Does your attention turn to other problems?
What the hell is that???? (My apologies out there to you agnostics)
The reason that history will repeat itself here is that you don't take steps to identify and fix the reason you got into this mess in the first place.
FXG Contractor Insanity = letting the causes of problems go un-addressed, then wondering why the same problems keep happening over and over.
Look around and in the mirror. You'll see it everywhere.
Why?
Now there is a damn good question. Why do you let the same things that damage your business happen repeatedly? 
It's pretty easy to explain this. The path of least resistance is paved with the easiest things to get by.
Setting up and maintaining a driver recruiting and screening system, that you must work at to keep current, is not easy. It is not on the path of least resistance.
Up until now, there has not been a way to easily keep the problem solving machine working while we move on to other things. We always turn the machine off after the problem has been solved.
That's Nice. How do we fix this?
Well, in the case of driver recruiting, most folks place ads in Craigslist or other places, they produce fliers and hand them out and other things....for a while. Inevitably though, this system breaks down and you are right back in the same situation you were to begin with, because you have to stay on it for it to work.
You are going to have to understand that there are some things that are better handled by other systems or services that are not core to your own business. Your job is to manage pick up and delivery efforts, or, linehaul operations. It is not to bog yourself down in office work.
You don't recruit employees. You just make sure that they get recruited for you.
You don't run automated safety programs. Find a system that does it...for you.
Don't spend hours on administrative tasks (Driver productivity, cost analysis, revenue trends, business planning, maintenance record keeping, human resource issues, documentation issues and on and on), find something or someone that will do this for you! Build or buy automated business systems! They are out there. USE THEM!
Of course, we recommend you use eTruckBizForFXG.com. But if you can find something
that works for you, then use it.
Conduct the orchrestra, don't play the instruments.
Yes, these things cost money, but the cost to you for not using business systems, that eliminate insanity, are far greater than what most business systems cost.
Will Technology Make You Insane?
Actually, the opposite is now true.
In this new age of technology, it is possible to find online or software solutions that eliminate insane actions. It is happening everyday, to everyone, in every industry.
The time has come to say "Hello" to the 21st century in the FXG contracting world! Embrace new technology or be left behind.
Technology these days is really something to see. If you think that you'll have to learn some new things, your're right. If you think it will be painful, it might be for a while.
But it will keep you from going insane!
If you have found some systems that might be useful to others that might help you from going insane, feel free to share them with others in the comments below.
Also, we have a free eBook that help with the evolution of your business as the FXG environment changes around you. Check it out:
