Drivers should know they’re a valued part of your organization and there are several ways of making them feel appreciated.

Do you ever drive down the interstate riding in the passenger seat and look at all the truck drivers, wondering where they are going and what they are hauling? How far away from their home are they, or when was the last time they were even at home? I always found this profession interesting, and when I worked on the dock loading trucks, I always made sure to strike up some sort of conversation about their lifestyle, challenges, families, or the things they have seen traversing across the country. I really didn’t do this because I had long-range aspirations of being a long-haul truck driver. I did it because I knew that if I showed interest or developed a connection with these drivers, they would leave our farm knowing we really cared about them and that we valued them as a vendor and a service provider. I knew that if they had a good feeling about us, they would hopefully convey a positive attitude at each stop delivering our products. After all, they are the last interaction our customers would have as an extension of us.

As my professional roles have changed over the years, from dock supervisor to national sales manager to West Coast General Manager, one thing has remained consistent in our approach to freight in every position. It’s really important! There are so many contributions that must happen in any organization to get trucks to the dock and get plants on them. Don’t underestimate the relationship impact you can have with your drivers and freight providers. Adding value to your drivers may just give you the edge you need when trying to procure trucks in times of high demand. Below is a list of expectations given to our dock and shipping personnel.

As we all start our freight seasons, take a moment to have a dock meeting. Let those who arrange your freight and those who load your freight know your expectations and review your core values. Make sure they know that those expectations extend to your vendors, drivers and brokers, as well as to each other. Shipping is a stressful and hectic time. Focusing on the small details that have hardly any cost can make a huge difference in your shipping season and ultimately getting your product to market. If you get drivers that request to come back, and if they leave with a smile and appreciation of how you handled your interaction with them, you will know you did it right.

Jason Bizon has a wide range of experience in horticultural production, shipping, and sales management. As West Coast General Manager for Bailey Nurseries, he oversees all operations at Bailey’s West Coast facilities in Washington and Oregon.