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Automotive Articles and Ezines
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476. Haulage Drivers, Perfect Your Work-Life Balance!
March 28, 2018
Haulage work is often associated with long, unpredictable hours, late nights, lots of travelling and being away from home for extended periods of time. It goes without saying that this isn’t great for those who want to spend time with their families. However, this picture of haulage work is a bit misleading. There are certainly ways of creating a healthier balance between your professional and home life, ensuring that you get the best of both worlds. With these top tips, you won’t miss out on providing for your family or on spending quality time with them.
Keep It Local
One way to ma... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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477. Why Courier Managers Should Have a Code of Practice
March 28, 2018
With what seems like most of the world on Twitter and Facebook, simple mistakes can often lead to a lot of bad press. Whether it’s about a badly cooked burger or a dodgy haircut, disgruntled customers can easily make their complaints heard in a very public way. This is why it is essential for courier managers to have a code of practice in place.
What Is a Code of Practice and Why Do I Need One?
A code of practice is a set of official rules that let employed courier drivers know how they should act on the job. Having a clearly defined code of practice protects drivers and the busines... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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478. The Benefits of Franchising for Owner Drivers
March 28, 2018
The benefits of becoming an owner driver are well known: you gain control over your working life and have the potential to become very successful. However, when you are just starting out on your own, the transport industry can seem like a daunting business. Although you may have plenty of courier experience, you might not have had to compete for jobs before or deal with not being able to find work.
If you are in love with an independent lifestyle but concerned about finding enough work to keep you going, buying into a courier franchise could be a great way for you to gain more experience... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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479. Top Reasons to Develop Your Soft Skills as a Courier Manager
March 28, 2018
Different industries demand different skill sets, and working in the courier industry requires specific abilities. Excellent driving habits go without saying, and yet an owner driver must also learn how to keep accounts and deal with clients. However, there are many ‘soft skills’ that are useful in any line of work, such as time management and a perfect handshake. Trivial as some of these skills may appear, first impressions are exceedingly important for owner drivers. Impressing your client with a firm handshake or consistently spot-on time keeping can pay off in future recommendations and re... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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480. Five Phrases Every Driver Dreads to Hear
March 28, 2018
courier driver work in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,000 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships. ">The experienced courier driver is calm, not easily flustered or frustrated. After all, you soon get used to having to deal patiently with other people’s mistakes if you spend a lot of time on the road. However, these long-suffering drivers can occasionally be provoked into an exasperated sigh or an exaggerated eyeroll. Just for fun, I have collected some of the most annoying... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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481. A Guide for New Couriers: Estimating Your Rate
March 28, 2018
When you are starting up a courier business or moving into a new area, it can be tricky to know what – or how – to charge your new clients. These straightforward tips will help you start building your business in no time.
Tools of the Trade
There are a few different methods of setting a fee for your courier loads. Whichever one you choose, you must ensure that you have the appropriate technology to help you measure times, weights and distances accurately. This will help you make your calculations and, if you can easily show a client your methods of recording this information, you wil... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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482. Getting More Courier Contracts
March 28, 2018
One of the hardest aspects of setting up as an owner driver is the responsibility of securing work for yourself. Although you gain freedom and the opportunity to make more money if you venture out on your own, you also accept the struggle and frustration of searching for and closing on jobs that suit you. Let’s talk about what you need to consider before accepting a job, what common mistakes you should avoid and how you can prepare fully to ensure that your assignments go as smoothly as possible.
Speed: Time Frames, ‘Rush’ Jobs and ‘Stat’ Jobs
For many people using a courier service,... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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483. FleetCheck Launches Free Maintenance Service
March 28, 2018
FleetCheck are specialists in fleet management and consultancy and have recently announced that they will be introducing a brand new and free online maintenance and repair service at Commercial Show 2018. This launch will present Garage Link to the industry as a whole, but FleetCheck have designed this product specifically for small and medium-sized fleets who deal with their own vehicle maintenance.
If you’re a small fleet manager and are looking for a risk-free option to improve your handling of vehicle maintenance, then keep reading to see what Garage Link could offer your business. ... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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484. A Synopsis of a engine workshop manual
March 22, 2018
For Each of the autophile, making sure the automobile His/hers is at a multi dimensional ailment is practically a faith. A lot of vehicle aficionados register to "do it yourself"/ do it yourself clinic so significantly as automobile preservation and care really are involved. By fulfilling with the firmnesses and requirements of these attachment for their autos they're dependent upon the trusted fix guides for providing them every single amount of complete maintenance, assistance and repairing facts. An intro onto an agency guide It's Extremely much wise to Keep up a Proper auto/ supp... (read more)
Author: Mark Well
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485. Know Your Markets: B2B, B2C & C2X
March 19, 2018
For all the talk of the decline in physical shopping centres and the rise of internet retail giants, it is easy to forget the monumental logistical operation that takes place every day behind the headlines. With the rise of online shopping in all of its forms, availability of courier work to support the demand has snowballed, and as it continues to grow, there is a whole world of opportunity to take advantage of new markets as they emerge. Here are three key areas that you should know about, and how they are set to change the future of courier work.
Business to Business
B2B has alway... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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486. It's AI Time: How Artificial Intelligence Can Improve Your Operations
March 19, 2018
As futuristic as artificial intelligence may sound, the days of it being a distant sci-fi dream are long gone. Although we may not always notice it, artificial intelligence has become a key behind-the-scenes component of many aspects of our day-to-day lives, from the virtual personal assistant on your phone to the suggestions from your favourite music and TV subscription services. In essence, artificial intelligence just refers to the ability of machines to make data-driven decisions, and build upon real-time information to become more effective at doing so over time. But what does any of this... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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487. Grey Fleets: The Problems & Perks Explained
March 19, 2018
Put simply, ‘grey fleet’ is the term for private vehicles put to business use. This happens in many industries and occupations, but is most common in courier work, where employees often work locally and to a flexible schedule. Making deliveries is no longer a job for company vans alone, a fact that can certainly feel like a win-win in terms of convenience and low taxation. However, as with any business-critical operation, there are risks to take into account when relying on this new way of working.
Flying Under the Radar
The very nature of grey fleets makes them difficult to keep tab... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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488. 11 Reasons Why You Can't Miss this Transport Conference
March 19, 2018
It is the most wonderful time of the year again – so be sure to don those comfy walking shoes and head to Coventry for the Microlise Transport Conference 2018. Europe’s largest transport conference should have earned a prize place on the calendars of haulage companies, owner drivers and logistic managers, as well as any individuals interested in or currently embarking on a career in transport. The reasons to go are many and the excuses to pass are few. Here are 11 reasons why this conference will be one of the most important industry events of the year.
The Basics
It’s a Free Event –... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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489. Why Every Lorry Driver Needs a Sat Nav
March 19, 2018
Recently, GPSs have become invaluable tools for haulage companies. They take your HGV’s specifications into consideration and provide real-time traffic details to help make delivery work an easier and more cost-effective process.
What is a Satellite Navigation System?
Using three satellites, Sat Navs detect your geographical position and calculate the best routes to get you from your current location to your desired destination. They provide, as you well know, step-by-step directions in real time.
While it can be tempting to use smartphones as GPSs, hauliers shouldn’t rely on G... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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490. Top Tips for Protect Your Trucks from Theft
March 19, 2018
Time for a serious talk about vehicle theft. As you’re probably aware, haulage companies and freight forwarders are a prime target for this kind of robbery, particularly during delivery work when trucks are filled with valuable cargo and equipment that could be resold. To avoid becoming a victim of this type of crime, here are some precautionary measures that you can take to protect your fleet.
Install Vehicle Cameras and Telematics The first thing to do is fit your fleet with in-vehicle cameras. There are two major benefits to this. The cameras can collect telematic data and allow you t... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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491. 3 Top Safety Tips for Skaters to Ride Safely in spring
March 06, 2018
The exhilarating feeling of riding a skateboard while going against the wind and at times, the crowd can be the best feeling ever. If you have a skateboard, neither you have to wait at the bus stop for your bus for a long time, nor have you to remain stranded in the bus or the cab at the traffic signal. With the skateboard, you can easily navigate through the alleys and streets, and fighting out a heavy traffic jam. If you are in love with the fast life and smooth commute, then you must get a skateboard as soon as possible. But as it is spring and the winter is bidding adieu, it is natural th... (read more)
Author: Alice Campbell
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492. Top 5 Luxury Car Rental Myths Debunked
February 28, 2018
The internet is getting flooded with articles on how and why you should hire a luxury car for your wedding, corporate meets, red carpet event, etc. But then, many people still do not hire them because of the preconceived notions they have in their mind related to luxury car rentals. So, if you are one of them, why don’t you simply steer clear of them right now? Take a look. Myth 1: You Get to Hire the Old Models Only! If you have heard that you can only hire the old models of luxury cars, then either the person who has provided you with this piece of information does not have much kno... (read more)
Author: Alice Campbell
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493. Some Weird and Wonderful Tales of Courier Delivery
February 27, 2018
Courier work can throw up some interesting situations, with drivers often finding themselves called upon to deliver weird and wonderful objects to a range of different destinations. But can you imagine arriving to pick up a medical item, only to find that it is a limb that is still attached to its owner, or that you were given a child to deliver to its grandparents? These are just some of the bizarre situations that drivers have found themselves in over the years. Here are four of my favourite tales from the courier work hall of fame to make you chuckle.
You’ve Got Mail
Today, there ... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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494. The Most Important Things You'll Need for Courier Work
February 26, 2018
Courier work can be fast-paced and demanding, so it pays to make sure that you are fully prepared before you set off. Make sure that you have all of the items that you are likely to need for your day’s work before you leave home or the depot. Here’s my handy checklist of the top things that you’re likely to need in your vehicle while carrying out courier work.
Safety Equipment
Whatever courier work you’re carrying out, it’s always important to remember that safety comes first. Safety equipment will vary depending on the kind of sites you’re delivering to, but it’s always worth having... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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495. Pit Stop of the Year Award
February 20, 2018
Anyone who spends their days (and often nights) out on the UK roads hauling goods across the country and then travelling back with a return load knows the importance of a decent roadside rest stop: a place to take a break, get something to eat and recharge the batteries for the next leg of the journey. Of course, like most services, the easiest way of sorting out the good from the bad and mediocre is through personal recommendation – and what better recommendation could there be than a "Truckstop of the Year Award"? The popular Chippenham Pit Stop, just off the M4, was the winner of the 2017 ... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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496. It's All in the Eyes: Improving Road Safety
February 20, 2018
Road safety is a subject that’s close to the hearts of anyone involved in haulage work. Any innovations or road projects are watched with close interest, so fleet managers and HGV drivers have welcomed the news of Highways England's implementation of a programme to install "intelligent" cat's eyes in one of the busiest junctions in the country.
The LED cat's eyes are already in place in the Hindhead Tunnel in Surrey, but the latest programme (which is part of a £3-million project to improve safety at the junction of three A roads and the M57 and M58 at Switch Island, Merseyside) is the fi... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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497. Technological Transformations for Haulage Companies
February 20, 2018
Staying at the cutting edge of technological developments is essential in an industry as dynamic and market-responsive as haulage. To stay ahead of the curb, managers of haulage companies must embrace technology and use it to drive toward ever more efficient and productive processes. However, whatever your technology plans, these are a few crucial rules that your haulage business must keep in mind.
Don’t Forget About Growth
Every decision made by your company should consider the implications on your short-term and – more importantly – your long-term growth. Planning and growth foreca... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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498. Mobile Management for Freight Forwarders: 10 Perks
February 20, 2018
The future is mobile. By 2025, an estimated 80 billion mobile devices will be connected to the internet, which is four times as many as we have today. This is a trend that will impact every aspect of our lives and revolutionise the way in which haulage companies do business.
Currently in the UK, almost half of fleet drivers and operators use mobile devices to handle haulage operations. This is also a growing trend in Europe, where 41 percent of fleet industry experts believe that apps have a positive role in managing fleets. These statistics are only set to increase as fresh, social media... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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499. Latest Brexit Developments: Support for UK Hauliers
February 20, 2018
As all owner operators know, it is becoming more and more obvious that the freedom of commercial haulage needs to be protected as the UK slowly moves towards Brexit. At the beginning of February, the UK government introduced legislation on cross-border haulage, which aims to prepare them for potential changes to current systems. I am going to break down the new Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill to discover what it is and what it means for the industry.
What is the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill?
The Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill was introdu... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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500. Haulage Company Builds Hospital Play Area for Sick Children
February 20, 2018
Today, we are talking about why it’s a fantastic idea for haulage companies to get involved with charity. Whether you’re responding to a specific need, hosting an event or encouraging employees to run a marathon, raising funds for a good cause is an excellent way to give back to the community. Let’s look at how the Europa Worldwide Group has helped transform a local hospital before considering how donating to charity can benefit your business.
The Europa Worldwide Group at Darent Valley Hospital
In 2016, the climbing frame at Darent Valley Hospital was declared unsafe. The childre... (read more)
Author: Laura Jeeves
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