On October 3rd, Nussbaum held its 9th Road Captain summit.
Below are some themes and takeaways that were collected from the event.
Primary Themes & Take-Aways
- When it comes to navigation assistance, drivers spend a lot of time and mental energy trying to plan the right parking location. Any additional tools we can provide drivers that help with parking would be much appreciated and worthwhile.
- The new hire orientation was a topic of focus. As RCs work with new hires, many cannot remember certain aspects being taught and are overloaded with information. The biggest gaps are in how to use the tablet/LiNK app and Nussbaum equipment knowledge. How can we reinforce this information for new hires?
- The IT Dept shared a lot of LiNK feature ideas. Drivers seem to gravitate towards anything that would help with Trip Planning. The sentiment trends towards accurate tools that help them complete their day-to-day with as little stress as possible.
- Road Captains are more and more knowledgeable about the ESOP and about company financial results. Just noticing this growth as we interacted with RCs on these topics. We seem to experience higher understanding and engagement with these topics at each summit.
- Throughout each summit, Road Captains often come up with specific feedback from certain customer locations. This time was no exception, and there were very specific takeaways captured.
- Two big pain point topics from the last 2-3 summits were frustrations with broker load instructions and with final directions on stop locations. Both received attention from Operations over the last year. This summit, it scarcely came up, which seemed to be evidence of gains made in these areas!
Potential Ideas Captured
- There would be interest in getting Nussbaum involved in the Truck Driving Championships, holding our own truck rodeo, etc.
- As we pilot/test new camera systems, there is a lot of concern about stored footage and continuous recording (SmartDrive stores nothing after the moment).
- Ability for RCs to shadow (SOTI) a new hire’s tablet to teach on LiNK or Geotab Drive. Access to see scorecards of drivers in their fleet when permission is given.
- The water in Channahon showers is lukewarm! Maintenance will check on this.
- Ops will share with Driver Managers that new fuel card numbers (when replacements happen) can be shared over the phone for them to enter in truck stop mobile apps.
- Feedback that some drivers park under empty trailers at NUSKER, using space not meant for parking.
- Per Diem adjustments will happen at the same time each month (with last full week payroll run).
- Create useful New Hire training video Carriers Edge in the weeks following orientation.
- Checklist for student/trainee role – “What to bring for my first week out in a truck” guide.
