The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Freight Brokers

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

 

Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was an instant hit when it was published in 1990. I didn’t read it when it was released, but I recall my sister praising the book not long after she graduated from college. 

If I remember correctly, she read it in preparation for an education conference. At some point, I grabbed a copy of my own and proceeded to barrel through it the way I read everything back then when I had two small children and not much time to read.  

Every once in a while my sister brings up one or another of the 7 habits, but truthfully, most of the time I don’t think about the book all that much. That’s why I was so interested when a colleague mentioned he read the book for the first time. He was excited about its relevance so many years past its publication. I was intrigued and decided to revisit the habits online. (You can too, right here.)

My friend is right. These habits are quite relevant today. And I wasn’t surprised to find out that the team at AM Transport practices each and every one in their quest to provide our customers and carriers with the best logistics service in the midwest.

 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Freight Brokers

 

Habit 1: Be Proactive®

 

Here at AM Transport, proactive is our middle name. We’ve been in the transportation industry for over 30 years because we look ahead. We don’t just book loads and wait for them to deliver. We use a high-touch model to keep our eyes on your freight. We talk directly to everyone along your supply chain to make sure your freight is picked up and delivered on-time and without incident. Our years of experience means we are able to anticipate problems and get out in front of them. The manufacturers and distributors we work with enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing the team at AMT is on it.

 

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind®

 

We know what a good logistics experience looks like. So we always begin with your end-game. Your freight needs to deliver by or on a certain date at a certain time. Then we look at everything we must do to make sure that happens. Do you need special equipment? Is the pickup or delivery window narrow? Is your freight temperature-sensitive? We keep our eyes on the prize and make sure we are taking every step to ensure your success.

 

Habit 3: Put First Things First®

 

When you work with AM Transport, you know that we put your freight first. And we organize accordingly. The truth is we have systems in place to ensure we do exactly what is needed every step of the way.

 

Habit 4:  Think Win-Win®

 

Let’s talk about small carriers first. We’ve been in business for over 30 years, and we work with a large group of core carriers, and that gives you an advantage. Our long-term relationships include carriers you would never find on your own. These are small service-oriented companies with low driver turnover, long business histories, and excellent safety ratings.

Add to that the relationship we cultivate with you. We get to know you. We provide you with a single point of contact. But we don’t stop there. Our carrier reps are logistics professionals with long tenure in the transportation industry. They take a look at your lanes and networks and they match you with the best carriers for your needs. 

For us, it’s not a zero-sum game. Everyone wins when we focus on strong relationships. You get consistent, reliable service at a fair price. And the excellent carriers we work with get to work with you. It helps everyone during times of turbulence because we focus on the long game.

 

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood®

 

This one is a no-brainer. We listen. We get to know you, your freight, your lanes, your expectations, and what success looks like. Then we go to work. It’s as simple as that. Then we put together a logistics plan that will provide you with consistent, reliable service. Every time.

 

Habit 6: Synergize®

 

Here at AM Transport, one of our core values is that we’re better together than we are alone. Our team is made up of tenured logistics experts who collaborate and cooperate. You’ll get a single point of contact for your freight, but you also get the redundancy of a team who works together every day.  If, or when, a problem arises, everyone pitches in to help.

Recently, we received over 20 loads after hours, and you know what the team did? They came back to work and didn’t stop until each and every load was booked. That’s synergy.

 

Habit 7:  Sharpen the Saw®

 

I’ll give you a good example here.  Are you sure your logistics department is operating with efficiency and effectiveness? The truth is you might be doing everything 100% right, but what if you aren’t. Here at AM Transport, we understand that we can’t help everyone, but here’s a promise. If we can’t help you, we won’t waste your time. 

 

But if we can, here’s some of what you’ll enjoy:

 

• dynamic pricing.

 

• more time to work on what’s important to you.

 

• access to the best small carriers in the midwest.

 

• on-time pickup and delivery.

 

• 24/7/365 availability from our team.

 

We’ll make sure you get the best service every time. That’s what sharpening your saw looks like!

 

Does your freight broker have these habits?

 

If your freight broker doesn’t have these habits, you might want to find a provider more aligned with your expectations. Here at AM Transport, we encourage you to give us a call today. For over 30 years, we have been helping manufacturers and distributors consistently deliver their freight on time for a reliable and fair rate. Isn’t that what you deserve?