As eTruckBiz wraps up its 12th year, we take a moment to reflect on the journey so far and the exciting path that lies ahead. It's been a time of significant challenges and changes, not just for us but for the entire FedEx Contractor community. Despite the turbulence caused by ongoing changes within FedEx and the broader economic landscape, we've navigated these waters with resilience and innovation.
Topics: FedEx, Ground, ISP, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, contractor, Profit, settlement, Cash flow, Network 2.0, Margins, fxg, CSP, time definite
In our last blog post, we released a legal summary of the most recent lawsuit making the rounds in the transportation business industry. Our goal was to provide contractors with the facts and a summary along with our best industry recommendations. Our advice is always based on past experience and what we believe is best for contractors, but ultimately we want to empower contractors to make their own choices based on their unique business situations.
Topics: FedEx, Ground, ISP, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, contractor, Profit, settlement, Cash flow, Costs, Network 2.0, Margins, time definate, low cost model, fxg, CSP
This week, it was announced that all Canada Ground operations are going to eventually be converted to FedEx Express Canada over the next year and a half, as
part of the larger Network 2.0 operational transformation.
While we don’t know what the plans are exactly for the U.S. network, we can make some logical assumptions about what the move probably means and doesn’t mean for current CSPs.
Topics: Business Structure, FedEx, Ground, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, contractor, linehaul, Network 2.0, transformation
Well, the time has finally come.
FedEx has officially announced the big move that we had known was coming for a long time.
The announcement that they will be combining most of the operating components of their networks will trigger significant operational changes. The plan does include utilizing mostly contractors, even though some are currently struggling.
Many will recall that we have been signaling for more than 5 years that a change was coming. By far the largest issue will be that the demands of the new network will force contractors who operate Lifestyle Businesses into operating Transportation Companies.
The time has come to put old habits behind and embrace change, or get left behind.
Topics: FedEx, Management, Ground, Business, Contract, model, Money, Cash flow, renegotiation, Network 2.0, transformation
This post is the second in a two-part series.
In my last blog post, I shared that people often ask me, “Should I pay my drivers by the day or by the hour?” My answer is based on comparing both methods, and I'll tell you why I recommend paying drivers by the hour.
Paying by the day is still most common because it’s a holdover from when delivery volume was consistent and only 5-days per work week.
As a result of adding residential service and e-commerce, package volume swings now vary widely on a daily basis. Paying drivers by the day has made business owner profitability more challenging.
Topics: Business Structure, Payroll, Ground, FedEx Ground, overtime, leadership, Money
This post is the first in a series on choosing to pay drivers by the hour, or by the day.
Almost every week, another new Contractor will ask me an old question. Should I pay my drivers hourly, or by the day? There’s truly one right answer, but complex dynamics cause many new CSP’s to believe that the old ways of paying drivers are acceptable.
Many new Contractors do not bring transportation industry experience with them. Although it’s likely they achieved significant success in their previous ventures. That success can lead to a variety of ways they address driver compensation.
New Contractors typically choose to either keep the same practices as the previous owner, or they make drastic changes. If they choose the latter, it’s because they recognize the existing compensation method is not financially feasible.
Topics: Business Structure, Payroll, Ground, FedEx Ground, overtime, leadership, Money
Any investment made into a business should be measured by its return. Simply put, when businesses invest in a product or an initiative, they expect that the profits created by the investment will outweigh the cost of the investment.
This is no different in the transportation industry.
If you take a minute to think about what options you could invest in, that could provide you substantial returns, what is it that comes to mind? New trucks? The latest software package that promises the world? Some other shiny object?
There is one thing, that may not be obvious, that will no doubt provide you with a lasting return on your investment. Most larger companies understand that investing in this one thing provides big time returns, and don’t mind the investment it takes.
And now, this type of investment is available to you…
Topics: Classes, Training, Ground, FedEx Ground, leadership, Money
What do you get when you combine:
Let’s just say that it looks a lot like today.
All these forces are coming together to bring about what could be the largest, most sweeping change in FXG’s business model ever, which will in turn, drastically change how you monitor and run your businesses.
Topics: Business Planning, Business Outlook, Compliance, Ground, FedEx Ground, Business, Regulation, Co-employee, change
July 20th, 2020, was the day that FXG announced via MGB that it would make significant changes to the way they will approach your End Of Agreement (EOA) process.
It is important to understand what’s going on here, as it will impact the way you think about contract renewals with FXG.
At first glance, it appears it’s just FXG flexing its muscles again, and in some respects that’s true.
However, when you study the process, it’s easy to see that it is really an attempt to ...
Topics: FedEx, Ground, ISP, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, Investment, model, Agreement
Ground CSP's, generally, possess exceptional area knowledge for the areas they service. They can utilize this knowledge to plan routes and take into account all the intricacies of a particular area.
Now, however, CSP's are starting to see that the old process of developing static routes to cover a particular service area is going the way of the horse and buggy.
Routes now need to be planned dynamically. This means that with the transformation of stop characteristics (residential) along with an evolving FXG business model (heavy focus on eCommerce), route planning needs to change constantly.
In order to remain successful, today's CSP must adapt to this new demand as the business continues to change. The number of routes and the actual route "boarders" need to be engineered in such a way to be flexible based on work load characteristics.
Topics: Business Tools, Business Planning, Business Results, FedEx, Ground, FedEx Ground, vendor
Did you pay attention to the CEO's quotes in last week's press release? Maybe the rhetoric sounded familiar.
"We demonstrated once again the power of our unrivaled network and our ability to provide solutions for our customers while growing package volumes during our peak period."
"We will continue to aggressively pursue opportunities to generate profitable revenues and drive greater operational efficiencies under our current structure..."
No, the above quotes weren't from FDX. In fact, those were quotes from the U.S. Postmaster General and CEO Megan J. Brennan last Thursday.
Topics: Business Outlook, FedEx, Ground, FedEx Ground, vendor
Are your drivers forced to comply with safety rules?
Or do they want to comply?
If you prefer the latter, maybe you should consider Ashiq Mizan’s unique approach.
Ashiq Mizan is a CSP in Philadelphia, PA, who had grown increasingly frustrated with his drivers’ lack of safety training compliance.
Despite the safety training lessons being super-easy, compliance in October was around 5%. Not only did his drivers' indifference put his money at risk, but it also showed that they were missing the bigger picture.
Topics: Compliance, FedEx, Ground, ISP, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, Selling, contractor, Purchase, safety
Is FedEx about to be purchased?
The answer is probably not...maybe.
Truth is we'll never know for sure until it happens. But don't lose sleep over it because it's not under your control.
However, it's good business to think about and reasonably prepare for change. Focus on things you can control.
Let's take a look at what a sale of FDX might look like for CSP's.
Topics: Business Structure, Business Outlook, FedEx, Ground, ISP, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, Selling, contractor, Purchase
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