SEPTEMBER 2019 | FUTUREOFBUSINESSANDTECH.COM
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PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVERS
Siphiwe Baleka
How a fıtness coach teaches drivers to keep their health up on the road in just four minutes
Learn about one of the 10 most dangerous and integral jobs in America and the people doing it Read how one woman executive helped pave the way for more parity in transportation
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Truck Drivers: A Vital Link in Our Economy Every day, millions of commercial truck drivers take the wheel to deliver all the goods we need to work and live. What does it take to get the job done?
Each year in the United States, trucks transport more than 70 percent of the nation’s manufactured and retail goods, last year alone totaling more than $670 billion worth. But it’s not the trucks doing the delivering — it’s 3.5 million truck drivers. These men and women drive through all kinds of weather, terrain, construction, and traffic so we can get all our favorite goods. And although today’s trucks have advanced technologies to make driving easier, we still need human drivers to operate the trucks safely and efficiently. Trucking into the future
Currently, the trucking industry is in the midst of the most severe driver shortage ever experienced, according to recent data from the American Trucking Associations (ATA). The ATA predicts that if nothing changes, the industry will be short 100,000 drivers in five years and 160,000 drivers by 2028. The shortage of interested drivers seems largely due to the amount of time spent away from family on the job, heavy driving regulations, disrespect
Mike Roeth Executive Director, North American Council for Freight Effıciency
for the profession, the necessity of living out of a truck, and extreme driving conditions. Back to home base
To combat the shortage, the industry is focusing on getting drivers home more frequently. In typical long-haul trucking, drivers can be away from home for weeks at a time. Regional haul operations, on the other hand, which operate within a 300-mile radius of home base, allow for trucks that either return home every night or at least once a week, depending on the route. The move towards regional haul operations helps attract and retain drivers who want more time with family. What it takes to drive
Truck drivers are vital to our economy, and not just anyone can hop behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler and operate it safely and efficiently. As one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs in
America, truck drivers have to be trained, certified, and licensed in everything from driving safely to operating the technologies on board. To celebrate safe drivers, each year a range of fleets and organizations honor those who have achieved 1 million accident-free miles of driving. Being a good truck driver involves more than being safe, though. To be of real value to a fleet, drivers must prioritize fuel efficiency. A driver can influence fuel economy by as much as 30 percent, the impact of which was proven during the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) Run on Less roadshow in 2017, when seven drivers achieved an average fuel economy of 10.1 miles per gallon on real routes, instead of the national average of 5.91 miles per gallon. Glad for the goods
Fuel efficient or not, truck drivers hit the road every day to make sure we have the things we need for our everyday lives. During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 8-14, we take time to honor all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment. Show your appreciation this year by following NACFE’s Run on Less Regional, which will showcase the skills of 10 of the best drivers in regional hall operations. ■
Publisher Kelsey Dimka Business Developer Abraham Freedberg Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Marjie Shrimpton Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Content Strategist Vanessa Rodriguez Cover Photo Karen Kuehn All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today. FOLLOW US: @MEDIAPLANETUSA
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Empowering America’s Truck Drivers to Win the War Against Obesity Truck drivers are vital to the health of our economy, but their personal health takes a big hit. Here’s how to keep them healthy in only four minutes. Imagine if NASA sent astronauts into outer space without giving them a space suit or telling them about zero gravity. That would be bad. It would be reckless. In fact, it would be criminally negligent. Well, that’s exactly what the trucking industry is doing. In need of “truck suits” In order to obtain a commercial truck driver’s license, a person has to pass an exam demonstrating they can operate the truck safely, while protecting both the cargo and the motoring public. The test includes a pre-trip inspection in which the driver checks over 100 parts of the truck to make sure it is “healthy” enough to drive. But what about the driver? Of the nearly 3.5 million truck drivers in America, 69 percent are clinically obese, and long-haul truck drivers have the highest rate of metabolic 4 • FUTUREOFBUSINESSANDTECH.COM
syndrome and the lowest life expectancy of any occupation. The problem is lack of information. Drivers are not taught the unique occupational hazards that lead to poor health, such as detrimental changes to their sleep patterns and metabolism. Nor are they taught simple techniques to prevent risk of heart disease and stroke, which can arise from a sedentary lifestyle. We’re sending good men and women into the most unhealthy occupation with no education, no training — no “truck suit.” Four minutes to health In 2017, I published “4-Minute Fit: The Metabolism Accelerator for the Time Crunched, Deskbound and Stressed-Out,” a book intended to be a manual for improving drivers’ health. I spoke to national trucking associations and appeared on major media outlets as “The Fitness Guru to the Trucking Industry,” teaching my two-step technique: Move with maximum intensity for four minutes before you start driving to kickstart your metab-
olism; Eat protein every three hours to keep the metabolism going. The technique has been proven to produce an average weight loss of 19 pounds in just 13 weeks. So, with these simple marching orders, I set out to create a culture of fitness within the trucking industry. Unfortunately, I failed. For one client, a carrier with more than 7,000 drivers, only 1 percent of the fleet enrolled in my 13-week program, even with free weekly coaching. It’s not enough to have the training program, coaching resources, tools, and even an unbeatable wellness incentive if the drivers don’t already know and care about the health issues they’ll incur without these things. It became clear to me that to empower truck drivers we needed to change how they valued their health. So, how do we get drivers to value their health enough to do the simple 4-Minute Fit technique every day? It takes a village The answer, I believe, is culture. It’s culture at home, in
the workplace, and in general society that shapes our values. We can empower truck drivers to take action to better their health by encouraging a 4-Minute Fit movement. If every American commits to a four-minute workout each day in solidarity with truck drivers, then we can create a culture that is not only good for truck drivers, but also the other 139 million American adults who are overweight or obese. Sunday, September 8th has been designated “National 4-Minute Fit Day,” kicking off National Truck Driver Appreciation and Wellness Week (NTDAWW). Join the cause with the free “4-Minute Fit Day for NTDAWW” workout on the Skimble Workout Trainer app. If we can get millions of people to dump a bucket of ice water on their heads, we can get millions of people to invest four minutes in their health and help empower truck drivers to do the same. ■ Siphiwe Baleka, Driver Fitness Coach PHOTO: KAREN KUEHN MEDIAPLANET
OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON OUR DRIVERS. THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS GETTING IT DONE. yrcw.com/careers
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Experts in the Trucking Industry on How It’s Changed and Why It Matters
Randy Morgan COO of Business Fleet Development, Comdata
How did you get your start in the industry? Randy Morgan: After college, I wanted to return to Nashville. I ran into some friends who were working at Comdata, and they encouraged me to look into job openings. I started my career at Comdata back in ‘81 as a regional sales manager, working directly with our trucking clients. Jason Bergman: I started as a marketing intern at Airborne Express while attending Rutgers University. Over the course of your career, how have you seen the industry change? RM: Change has been dramatic these past 40 years. From fax machines to today’s rapid tech advancements, it’s remarkable to see how trucking has advanced against other industries in leveraging technology. Today, drivers need to be mobile. Every changing market demands technology for its success. JB: Procurement in the supply chain and transportation industry has transitioned from decision makers making decisions independently and in silos to a more collaborative process, where multiple stakeholders have influence in the final direction that an organization takes to select a new partner.
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Jason Bergman CCO, YRC Worldwide
What is the most formative piece of career advice you’ve received? RM: My parents would say that you have only one name, and your reputation will follow you. Live by the Golden Rule, never forget your purpose in your job or personal life, and keep everything in perspective with family, faith, friends, and work. Control what you can, and never let someone outwork you! JB: Asking for help doesn’t mean you can’t do it alone. It only means you are not in it alone. Why should candidates of all backgrounds consider careers in trucking and transportation management? RM: Trucking is an industry that will be here for many years to come. Taking time to learn the market is wise for anyone, and many people who make up this industry are great Americans. Transportation meets many crucial economic needs, and with continuous advancements, it’s an exciting time to be in the space! JB: Virtually everything we consume to live is available to us because trucking companies provide the services to deliver goods for our needs. Few careers can influence such a vital function of the economy and our living as trucking. ■
How This Truck- Driving Executive Blazed the Trail in Her Industry Johnelle Hunt, head of one of the nation’s top trucking companies, discusses mentorship, support, and the necessity of women in transportation. How did you get your start in the transportation industry and what did it feel like to see J.B. Hunt grow into one of the largest transportation and logistics providers in North America? In 1969, Johnnie and I co-founded J.B. Hunt Transport with five trucks and seven trailers. I knew we had to have money coming in to keep the lights on and our employees paid, so I got very good at collections. It was very much a different business then, and I was just in awe as the company grew to become one of
the largest transportation companies in North America. While I’m no longer involved with running the company, I think the leadership is fantastic, and I am proud to see that the hard work both Johnnie and I started is continuing on with a lot of very talented people. We help several businesses do well, and many people have jobs because of the dreams that Johnnie had. It’s nice to see that legacy continue. You’re seen as one of the most influential and entrepreneurial women in the transportation industry. How have you advocated for the education and opportunities that have led to an increased number of women seeking careers in supply chain management?
PHOTO: COURTESY OF JOHNELLE HUNT
work, get a job there, go in and do everything you see that needs to be done, and you will rise to the top because you will be noticed. You have to put your heart into your work, and I always have. Even when things got tough, I was patient and trusted that everything would work out. Transportation is a great field for women — we get things done and see situations differently. I’m thrilled to know that we have women driving trucks. Anyone can do it, they just have to be confident in what they can achieve and stay on that path.
I have tried my best to speak in front of as many women as possible. I’ve always been very good at listening to good advice, and I feel like my experience can resonate with a number of women. I’m living proof that women can succeed in this industry — I never backed down from any job that needed doing in our business. Women bring a different perspective to the table, and that perspective is necessary for moving any transportation organization forward. What are some qualities you’ve seen in female truck drivers that make them such an asset to the industry? I try to tell young people: find out where you want to go to
How do you think mentorship and training initiatives lead to well-trained, reliable, and loyal female truck drivers? Johnnie started out as a truck driver, and he was on the road for many important family events. We had to make sacrifices like that, and it helped me understand the difficulties of the trucking industry. We have to support and encourage the men and women who make these sacrifices to help support their families. Johnnie and I were always there for our drivers when they needed us, and I think that’s one of the most important factors in driver retention. Even at 2 a.m., when drivers would call, I would listen to the issues they were having. For women we have to provide the same level of support and mentorship. At J.B. Hunt today, there are a number of mentorship and training programs that have been established over the years, from the company’s Growing and Retaining Outstanding Women (GROW) employee resource group to J.B. Hunt’s involvement with the Women in Trucking organization. It’s exciting to see the company’s continued commitment to supporting its drivers. n MEDIAPLANET • 7
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