Networking

Discussion in 'Heavy Haul Trucking Forum' started by TripleSix, Jul 14, 2019.

  1. RStewart

    RStewart Road Train Member

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    This is good stuff but I really believe this applies to all truck driving, not just HH.
     
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  3. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Does any have any networking tips, dinner etiquette, table manners tips or pet peeves that they would like to share?

    This one happened a few years ago:

    Went to a nicer restaurant with 3 other drivers. Had the hottest waitress in Houston walk up to take care of us. Well, one of the guys, who I had considered a friend up until that point got drunk. All of a sudden, he ask the waitress if she would give him some of her P_. Her mouth dropped, she walked away, a couple guys came up and we had to hurry up and leave.

    Outside, this fool tried to apologize and blame the booze, but I told him to lose my number. Can’t blame the booze. I drink. I don’t do drunk. You can’t hang around people who get drunk. It’s almost always bad business. Just like drugs and gambling addictions.

    Secondly, how people treat the wait staff at a restaurant is their real personality. Nasty, disrespectful and belligerent people you want to avoid. Do not call ‘friend’ anyone whose like this.
     
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  4. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    Six,

    You hit it again, I have no use for those that treat servers poorly, as well as those that get drunk in public.

    For the last two years I have been in sales much more than driving and I see all sorts of this poor behavior. Sadly I see it from my colleagues as well as clients, and I have dropped both because of how they behave in public.

    My biggest pet peeve is those that get loud, especially when they are being passive aggressive about either the service or other patrons at the establishment. We all are entitled to a bad day now and again, servers are no different.

    What caught be most about your post here, I don't care how hot the server was, it was out of place to be that rude. Hell, it is out of place to even remotely suggest a server go home with you -they are not there as a toy, or looking to hook up.
     
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  5. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    You will hear me say that there’s not 1 big difference between the top drivers and the rest, but a million little differences. Everyone sees you and me, and they think that if they get the exact same truck and pull the exact same freight that they deserve the exact same reward. But they ignore the little subtle differences. Like the kid with the ear buds in the opening post. On the other hand, some people are just plain toxic. Every aspect of their lives is just poisonous.
    Loss of time... Must move now!
    This is a prime example. Driver says he wasted enough time and wants to start anew. Imagine if that guy put the effort into improving himself as a person instead of wasting time and energy on unfruitful endeavors.
     
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  6. RStewart

    RStewart Road Train Member

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    Being at the top in trucking has nothing to do with the equipment driven or the freight hauled. It's all attitude. Your attitude will determine everything.

    Lot of drivers think that pulling the big stuff means you've made it to the top but it doesn't. This isn't like climbing the coperate ladder. There's drivers swinging doors hauling toilet paper, shampoo, and dog food that are more professional and better drivers than some of the guys hauling the big stuff. They are at the top of THEIR game. They bring their A game every load. That's the difference between those at the top and the rest.
     
  7. FoolsErrand

    FoolsErrand Road Train Member

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    I get a lot of mileage out of an open ended phrase i say fairly often, which is "any advice?" Sometimes it startles people and others just pour it out but the conversations are always interesting.

    It might be parenting, business, financial or trades stuff but its a sign of respect to seek a persons wisdom and ive never gotten a bad reaction. If they need a little more coaxing to get talking.. "If you could go back, what would you do different, or avoid or do more of?" gets all but the worst crab apples talking.

    I target people for friendships and it turns out if you are genuinely interested in them, its pretty easy to do. Just remember they didnt walk up and ask about you so run your ears more than your mouth.
     
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  8. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    The only thing I find more detestable than someone being paid to do a job and sucking at it, is not only some lazy do-nothing POS being paid the same wage as I to do the same job and having them still make more money than I because they take twice as long to do half as much work, but spineless management who tolerates this.
     
  9. RStewart

    RStewart Road Train Member

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    I hope this isn't off topic, I don't think it is since the story I'm gonna tell wouldn't have happened if I would've acted less professional when dealing with this broker the few times I've pulled their freight.

    When I book a load with a broker the conversation is always light hearted and almost playful but getting business done as well. I always keep the broker in the loop via email whether they ask me to it not. I call it professional courtesy.

    So, I made a huge mistake yesterday. I double booked myself for today because I guess I forgot what say I was working on, idk. I've never done this before. Lol. I'm picking up today and delivering tomorrow at 9:30 am. Then I book myself picking up at 6:00 pm and delivering at 6:00 am the next morning. Problem was that was also picking up on the 25th and delivering on the 26th. No way I could do both loads at the same time. I didn't realize this until 9:00pm last night when doing some paperwork.

    I immediately emailed the broker on the second load and told them I couldn't do the load because I MESSED UP. I explained the truth, that I got my days messed up and double booked myself. I apologized and told them that I know that doesn't help but I feel really bad because I take pride in doing the job I say I'm gonna do and that I place a lot of value in the relationship we are building.

    I get an email from them this morning that says no worries. I emailed them back since they were now in the office and basically apologized again to this he replied, no worries it happens.

    I then asked him about another load they had and I ended up booking it with them. I was happy that they were so eager to give me another load right after I dumped one back in their lap. All I can figure is I've done a good job for them on other loads and they appreciate it. I don't know, but I'll keep doing things the way I do them.
     
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  10. PPDCT

    PPDCT Road Train Member

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    That's the biggest thing. You screw up, you own it. It might twist my nuts a little in that moment, but you've done everything you can to make it right by me, and that's all I can ask. It's when I find out, five minutes before pick-up, that I'm not getting the truck that I've been banking on for three days and oh by the way, he won't be in to pick it up at all- that's when I get mad. You give me as much notice as you can reasonably give me? Yeah, that makes things as right as you can. I've never blackballed a carrier for doing what you've done. I've blackballed plenty of others for last minute bails and cancellations. On the flip side, I try to do the same for you guys going in the other direction.

    I rely on my reputation, good relationships, and a strong working knowledge of regulations, equipment, and effective communication to get my job done. If I fail at any of these, I own it.
     
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