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RETAINING EMPLOYEES IN TIGHT LABOR MARKETS
Steve Ellis has been a contractor for almost twenty years. Many business owners who've been operating that long think their processes work because they've "always done it this way."
However, Steve's openness to studying and changing his processes make his operations exceptionally successful in a state with some of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
Topics: Business Structure, Business Tools, Business Results, Management, ISP, FedEx Ground, contractor, Profit
THE PERILS OF BUSINESS OWNERSHIP
Marena and Ralph Markel bought their first FedEx Ground route in 2005.
Of course, they were inexperienced owners, but they were committed to their future and each other. Like many couples who work together, each spouse brought different skills and strengths to the business.
After experiencing significant growth, the pair were overwhelmed by the responsibilities of leading a large team of commercial drivers including:
Would the couple remain happily in business?
Topics: Business Structure, Business Tools, Business Results, Management, ISP, FedEx Ground, contractor, Profit
It's a simple question with a simple answer. If you're a FedEx CSP, you may think - of course FedEx decides how much I'll earn because they decide what to pay for my services.
But it's not the right answer.
Focus instead on two key words, "decides" and "earn."
FedEx offers, or negotiates, estimated fixed and variable revenues, but they don't decide how much of that you'll keep.
You will make decisions during the course of the contract determining how much you'll earn.
Don't confuse income with earnings.Topics: Business Structure, Business Outlook, FedEx, Training, Ground, FedEx Ground, Negotiation, Profit
Wayne Gretsky, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, and Pete Rose. Each was phenomenally successful at scoring goals, points, or runs in their respective sports. Coaching others to do the same? Not so successful.
Bill Belichick, Pat Riley, Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa. Polar opposites to the previous four athletes.
"What's your point?" you ask.
Business people, like athletes, don't have to be great players to be great coaches and vice versa. However, great coaches can bring out the best in others.
Topics: Business Structure, Business Outlook, FedEx, Training, Ground, FedEx Ground, Negotiation, Profit
FedEx recently announced that seven-day service will be starting in 2020. This means big changes for FXG Contractors.
"Eight Days a Week" is a popular song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon in the 1960's about love. According to McCartney, the title was inspired not by love, but by work.
He has been quoted as saying when he asked his chauffeur how he was doing, the chauffeur replied, "Oh working hard, working eight days a week." (Wikipedia, May 22, 2019).
You and your drivers probably feel the same about FedEx' recent announcement to move FXG to a seven-day work week.
Topics: Business Structure, Business Outlook, ISP Negotiation, FedEx Ground, Negotiation
Take a look around.
Do you see the number of contractors around you dwindling?
How many contractors do you see today, vs. how many there used to be 2, 5 and 10 years ago.
It's plain to see the number of contractors is shrinking, while the number of trucks grows
This results in fewer, but larger operations.
Think this is a coincidence?
It's not.
As you seek answers from FXG on how you will achieve scale, contiguous service areas and overlap, you are being told you need to "work it out" with those around you. Well that's great, but how are you supposed to do so if you have limited resources?
There is a way, but you'll need to ask yourself some questions first.
Topics: Business Structure, Business Tools, Management, Payroll, FedEx Ground, Business, Investment, model, Merge, Purchase
Here we are at the end of another year.
Topics: Business Structure, Business Results, FedEx, Business Metrics, Business, Investment, model, Metrics, Selling, contractor, Profit, vendor
The time has come to look at the ISP Negotiation process from the contractor perspective.
First, let's go ahead and call it what it is: David v. Goliath, FBS vs. FCS, Large Cap vs. Small Cap. It's the tremendous resources of FXG vs. those of an individual contractor. I think we can all agree that from the ability to influence, FXG holds the cards.
But that doesn't mean, a contractor cannot conduct a meaningful, and even successful negotiation. It just means that in order to do so, the contractor needs to do some homework, and find some very special tools and help.
Well, now, finally, the tools, and help exist...
Topics: Business Structure, Business Tools, ISP Negotiation, FedEx