Trucking Industry in the US
The trucking business is one of the most promising types of entrepreneurial activity. According to Mazareanu (2021), it accounts for the majority of land freight transportation in the United States, with a market valued at US$732.3 billion in 2020. Almost all categories of the population of large cities, small towns, remote villages, and other villages use the services provided by various transport companies and individuals to transport goods or things in different directions. It should also be taken into account that a significant part of the small and informal transport companies have left the market due to the recent crisis. In turn, a substantial market share is opening up for new companies that can be taken. Thus, designing a career development plan is a crucial condition for success. It is essential to organize work in such a way as to offer customers conditions that are more favorable than those of competitors.
Trucking Business Development Factors
Bowen (2020) notes that the following aspects could contribute to the development of trucking business: offering specialized services to both individuals and business entities; creation of a large car park, thanks to which it will be possible to satisfy the requirements of absolutely all customers; provision of a wide range of related services; introduction of a system of bonuses and discounts that will allow customers to save; provision of services for the transportation of non-standard cargo; work around the clock; provision of cargo storage services; provision of personnel and specialized equipment for loading and unloading operations.
Civic and Social Responsibility
Regardless of the purpose of delivery, the relevance of transportation is increasing. It isn’t easy to imagine what will happen if the freight transportation market ceases to function for any reason. Life will rise, especially in big cities since essential goods and food will not be delivered, and medicines will disappear from pharmacies. Therefore, since the functioning of society as a whole depends on the development of this industry, the incorporation of service is a critical aspect. The main factor influencing success is the ability to offer the client a fast and efficient freight service with competitive prices.
Thus, the leading career plans for the next three years are:
Competent organization of transportation on cars of various types.
- the ability to order the required frequency of delivery to any city;
- no significant downtime during the movement;
- the possibility of choosing an individual logistics scheme for each cargo.
Office, apartment, country, industrial moving
Moving requires a particular approach because it is necessary to deliver goods of various types – furniture, large and small household appliances, and personal items. Thus, employees will be able to dismantle furniture and pack items. An equally important aspect is excluding the possibility of damage to property during the move.
Transportation of oversized cargo
Transportation of oversized cargo is the transportation of goods, the dimensions and weight of which exceed the allowable, one of the most complex and vital types of transportation. The company will transport industrial equipment, special equipment, vehicles, machine tools, and mechanisms, the dimensions of which exceed the established norms.
Needs and Plans for Further Professional Development
Modern business is open to everyone, and it is not difficult to choose a niche, find capital, draw up a development strategy and start. However, even if strictly adhering to each point of the plan, it is difficult to stay afloat if you lack the critical skills of an entrepreneur. According to Harvard Business Review (2019), the general list of skills needed by an entrepreneur includes effective communication skills; constant versatile self-training; emotional intelligence; networking; leadership; competent money management; knowledge of marketing and sales techniques; goal setting, planning; time management; self-organization; delegation of tasks; patience. Thus, for my business to become competitive, it is vital to attend online and offline courses on effective verbal and non-verbal communication, time management, management, and marketing, reading specialized literature, attending seminars and webinars by leading entrepreneurs, attending exhibitions related to chosen business niche, trucking.
Possible Risks
The development of the trucking business, as any other type of entrepreneurial activity, is accompanied by certain risks. It is necessary to analyze them in advance to exclude or reduce the likelihood of inevitable consequences.
The most commonly encountered risks are generally considered to be the following:
Unskilled personnel
All employees must have the necessary level of competence and experience in this industry. Bassia (2020) asserts that it is essential to use recruiting agencies to attract high-level specialists to reduce this risk.
Vehicle breakdowns
It is desirable to hire employees with work experience and good references from a previous job to minimize the risk. And also that the staff has sufficient knowledge to carry out car repairs.
Lack of sales and contracts with clients
This factor is of particular importance in determining the success of the company. To reduce risk, it is necessary to think over the company’s marketing policy in advance and conclude service contracts with some clients even before renting an office and leasing equipment.
A decline in purchasing power
This is how one can characterize the process of inflation or changes in exchange rates.
Natural risks
Natural activity can adversely affect the implementation of cargo transportation. According to Ryder (2019), such circumstances do not depend on the entrepreneur.
References
Bassia, T. (2020). Owner operator trucking business startup: How to start your own commercial freight carrier trucking business. Independently Published.
Bowen, G. (2020). Trucking company: How to start a trucking company, be your own boss, and make good profits. Bravex Publications.
Harvard Business Review. (2019). HBR guide to your professional growth. Harvard Business Review Press.
Mazareanu, E. (2021). Trucking industry in the U.S. – statistics & facts. Statista. Web.
Ryder, C. (2019). Trucking Business: 3 manuscripts in 1 Book: How to start a freight brokerage company, how to start a trucking business, hotshot trucking. Independently published.