Haulage Companies - Increasing Staff Productivity and Profit

Those who run haulage companies – whether large or small – rely on the engagement and dedication of their drivers to bring in profit and grow their business. Staff are a major investment, which means a demotivated team could also be directly proportional to a major dip in profits.

Ensuring the people who work for you are on top of their game doesn't always need to cost a lot of money or become an additional burden. With the following tactics, you can easily improve your staff's engagement and teamwork and help drive more profit for your company.

Be Transparent

One mistake larger haulage companies often make is not informing their staff about the state of the company. Whether it is news about the industry in general, a minor change in the company's organisational chart, or a major business move, keeping staff informed shows you value them as an important cog in the wheel – which, of course, they are. This gesture may be considered small by some, but often, just keeping people in the loop of progress, whether life shattering or trivial, shows you're taking their contribution seriously, and that you trust in their confidentiality. Transparency also eliminates doubt and second-guessing by staff, and when they aren't spending their time worrying or gossiping, they will be able to work more efficiently.

Provide Recognition to High Performing Staff

Recognising someone for a job well done is another simple gesture that goes a long way. Because haulage companies employ drivers who work in often-difficult conditions, it really encourages them if they know the company recognises their efforts. But recognition doesn't have to mean giving a major award on a quarterly basis. Sometimes, just a genuine thank you via e-mail is a very effective way to put a smile on faces and increase engagement in the workplace.

Create a Nurturing Working Environment

Incorporating small, positive tactics creates a tidal wave of positive reinforcement among your staff, which will eventually translate into increased profit for the company. Everyone who works for haulage companies will go through different levels of stress on a daily basis – it's the nature of the industry. But if you create a working environment where staff are confident that their work is valued and extra effort is rewarded, it will do wonders for the company in the long run. Moreover, fostering a nurturing working environment not only helps motivate current employees, it also builds the company’s reputation, which, in turn, affects clientele positively.