On April 10th, Nussbaum held its 10th Road Captain summit. Thank you to all the attendees for an insightful day of discussion and collaboration! Below are some key themes and takeaways we collected from the event.
Primary Themes & Take-Aways
Opportunities in Planning and Communication
Drivers shared that communication around load changes, scheduling, and weekend planning can feel inconsistent at times. There’s a desire for more clarity, context, and collaboration in updates—especially when plans shift unexpectedly.
Technology and Tablet Improvements
Feedback highlighted ongoing frustrations with C0-Pilot and directions through the tablet. Working to streamline these tools could improve the driver experience.
Growing Understanding of the ESOP
Road Captains asked informed questions about vesting, share price, and the timeline of the second ESOP sale. There’s a clear increase in employee engagement and understanding of company ownership.
Customer Location Feedback Continues to Be Insightful
Drivers continue to offer detailed, location-specific feedback—from parking conditions to trailer availability. These insights are appreciated and support ongoing improvements in operations and service.
Potential Ideas Captured
- Interactive ETA Confirmation – A tool allowing drivers to confirm or adjust ETAs could turn updates into two-way communication and build trust.
- Stronger Alignment Between RCs and Planners – Providing opportunities for RCs to shadow planners may strengthen collaboration and improve mutual understanding.
- Visibility into Load Planning – Drivers suggested a way to see when dispatch is actively sourcing a load, which could ease concerns during downtime.
- More Collaborative LoadBot Messaging – Within LoadBot updates, adding an option where the driver can confirm or suggest adjustments. This could enhance the experience.
- Follow-Up Training Touchpoints – Adding brief, practical video refreshers or mentorship touchpoints after orientation may help reinforce key tools and workflows.
Action Items to Consider
- Review and Improve Tablet & Navigation Functionality – Prioritize fixes to routing accuracy, tablet performance, and notifications.
- Strengthen Communication Flow Between Roles – Support alignment between driver managers, planners, and drivers to ensure consistent, timely updates.
- Make Scorecard Incentives More Visible – Explore features that demonstrate how specific performance improvements impact take-home pay.
- Support ESOP Education – Continue to provide clear, ongoing communication about ESOP structure, timelines, and benefits.
- Enhance Trailer and Equipment Visibility – Refine how we track and communicate trailer availability to support efficient planning.
- Improve Shop Communication and Scheduling Transparency – Explore tools or systems that provide more visibility into shop timelines and appointment progress.
Thank you for reading! With any questions, please contact Brendon Nussbaum (brendon.nussbaum@nussbaum.com).
