Business Networking within logistics is a valuable way to expand your knowledge, learn from the success of others, attain new clients and tell others about your business. If you’re looking to become a freight broker or open a trucking company, then networking is a must. Learning how to become a freight broker or how to build a trucking company is accomplished by networking today.
I highly recommend business networking as a way to gain new shipper clients and to build a sustainable freight broker or trucking company business. Here are the top benefits for logistics business owners of getting involved in networking:
Generation Of Drivers And Shippers
This is probably the most crucial benefit and the reason most logistics business owners decide to participate in networking activities and join networking groups.
The great news is that the referrals that you get through networking are normally high quality and most of the time are even pre-qualified for you. You can then follow up on these referrals/leads and turn them into clients. So you are getting much higher quality leads from networking than other forms of marketing. The increase in business from networking is the major advantage, but there are many others as well.
Logistics Opportunities
With a motivated group of logistics business owners comes an abundance of opportunities! There are always lots of opportunities that come from networking and in fact this is where the benefits of business networking are huge!
Opportunities like joint trucking company ventures, new driver client leads, trucking partnerships, new shipper management contacts and carrier growth opportunities, business or logistics asset acquiring… the list goes on, and the opportunities within networking are really endless.
Just make sure you are jumping on board with the right opportunities and don’t go jumping into every opportunity that comes your way. This is the down fall to most trucking companies as they are always searching for the next money load that requires them to always change equipment or freight lanes. The opportunities that you get involved in should align with your logistics business goals/vision, otherwise you might find that you are spinning your wheels chasing after opportunity after opportunity and getting nowhere.
Logistics Connections
“It’s not WHAT you know, but WHO you know”. This is so true in business. If you want a successful logistics business, then you need to have a great source of relevant connections within transportation and in your network that you can call on when you need them. Knowing people who are involved in freight management can lead to your company also working within the same freight movement.
Networking provides you with a great source of connections, and really opens the door to talk to highly influential people that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to easily talk to or find.
It’s not just about who you are networking with directly either – that person will already have a logistics network you can tap into as well. So, ask the right questions to find out if the person your networking with truly knows what you want to know!
Freight Moving Advice
Having like-minded logistics business owners to talk to also gives you the opportunity to get advice from them on all sorts of things related to your business or even your personal life and obtaining that important work-life balance.
Networking is a great way to tap into advice and expertise that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to get hold of. The transportation industry is vast, and you need advice from those who have been around the block a time or two already. Just make sure you are getting solid advice from the right person – someone that actually knows about what you need to know and is not just giving you their opinion on something that they have no or very little experience in. Advice is always free either and you should not expect it to be. Having something in return to give back. Let them know your willing to help them if ever needed with your logistical business. Possibly give them a lead on another logistics network situation. Remember what comes around , goes around.
Raising Your Professional Logistics Profile
Being visible and getting noticed is a big benefit of networking. Make sure you regularly attend business and social events that will help to get your face known. This is a great reason to join LFS. From their networking and business meeting concepts, you are able to get your company out there in the freight moving market. This is crucial for freight brokers who are new. A lot of times when you are out in the public at meetings, you will be remembered by those who need your service. By attending meetings, you can then help to build your reputation as a knowledgeable, reliable and supportive person by offering useful information or tips to people who need it. You are also more likely to get more leads and referrals as you will be the one that pops into their head when they need what you offer.
Positive Trucking Influence
The people that you hang around with and talk to do influence who you are and what you do, so it is important to be surrounding yourself with positive, uplifting people that help you to grow and thrive as a business owner. LFS built their core membership from this perspective. The old saying is you become what you surround yourself with is true. Networking is great for this, as logistics business owners that are using networking are usually people that are really going for it, positive and uplifting. Freight brokers need this in the beginning stages of their business launch. Surround yourself around great freight brokers and eventually you to will become great at moving freight.
Increased Freight Management Confidence
By regularly networking and pushing yourself to talk to people you don’t know who professionals within logistics are, you will get increased confidence the more you do this. This is important as a new logistics business owner, because your business growth is very dependent on talking to people and making connections. This is what leads to greater consistency within freight movement.
Networking is great for people that aren’t confident as it really pushes them to grow and learn how to make conversations and lasting connections with people they don’t know. By being a professional logistics service provider, you must be able to pitch yourself and your services. The great thing about being part of LFS is that you learn how the pros within freight brokering does this.
Secure Logistics Business Friendship
Lastly, this one is more personal related rather than business related but is a big benefit none-the-less. Many friendships form because of networking because (mostly) you are all like-minded logistics business owners that want to grow your freight broker or trucking company businesses, and you meet and help each other regularly, so naturally strong friendships tend to form. Some of my strongest friendships have been started from networking. Having people, you can trust within logistics while you build your trucking business is critical to its success. Logistics is known for its lack of integrity. Freight brokers and trucking company owners can build long lasting friendships that secure a safety foundation while both companies are growing.
LFS has built its core foundation around these networking principles. If you truly are interested in growing a long lasting logistical business that is profitable, you might want to consider joining LFS. For this reason, it will give you also the networking capabilities that you need, but also the knowledge from which to grow and build your freight broker business or trucking company. Lear more about LFS at logisticalforwardingsolutions.com or email them at freightbroker21@gmail.com
About Author Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas has spent the last 15 years working as a freight broker and trucking company owner. He works daily within his own company's and enjoys sharing his knowledge with individuals all over the world. His goal is to help others enjoy the freedom of logistics and learn how to become a freight broker or how to start a trucking company business. Contact Michael Thomas today at https://www.logisticalforwardingsolutions.com/ or send an Email at freightbroker21@gmail.com