Stepping Out With My Own Numbers

I’ve been using a dispatch software to make things faster. I’ll post an image showing how I Pay the guy. I pay percentage and he had another day of breakdown on this pay period. This is just gross pay. I send this to the accountant and they do all the tax calculations. That KW I bought has been a nightmare but I think it is finally good to go. I told him to keep a close eye on everything so that whatever needs attention can be fixed. I’d rather fix it while he’s at the house vs on the road.

 

This software is called Tailwind. I only use mobile devices and that limits my options. It is really easy to use and only 69.00 a month for the basic service I have. Only one truck I just did everything manually. Having two trucks I need to automate things or it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I have been pretty pleased with it.
I’m seeing how all this goes, but, if it works out OK I’ll probably move to three trucks. Using this software, I could run three trucks, I’d be driving one, and it would be manageable. I’d make money, and with three total employees, I’d be able to offer benefits. The drivers would make good money and so would I.
I’ve already talked to my insurance provider and if I hit three employees they could set up an employer paid health insurance plan. Given today’s environment you have to not only pay well but have a decent benefit package.
I would also only buy new going forward. I have a good relationship with my salesman at Summit. He and I are currently working on a deal considering all the issues I’ve had on this KW. I’m hoping to have the driver in a new truck around the end of August. It depends if this deal holds up with my salesman’s boss.

 

I had to do a little chewing out yesterday with the driver I hired, my friend. He got rejected for a dirty trailer. I told him if I say food grade, I mean food grade. Under FSMA that trailer needs to be cleaned before every load. I told him to sweep it out and have them check it. He didn’t have a broom. I told him when he got his first load to buy an air hose, broom, and load locks. Well, he hasn’t bought any of those. I told him, do you understand how important it is for the trailer to be clean and the load secured? I’m luck you have been rejected yet or you haven’t caused a cargo claim. He now has everything.
He has also been using personal conveyance too much. Mainly because he ignores appointments and tries to go in early everywhere. I told him you need to start trip planning and listening to me regarding appointments. I’m not putting him on loads that he has to do that. He is also very behind approving his logs and keeping shipment info updated.
His goal is to be an owner operator. I told him if you really want to be an owner operator you wouldn’t be in business for long if this your attitude towards safety and compliance. Get it together. Needless to say, he is pretty mad right now. I’ve been paying him well for his time and I expect a certain level of performance.

 

He’s mad at me for grilling him like that. He needs to understand how important these little things are. These little things can put you out of business real quick. He is mad at himself a little too. He was told to do these things but didn’t.

 

I think he’ll be fine. He just needed a hard reminder that there’s more to it than just holding the steering wheel and getting paid.