Risky Business

Interesting Info at the Sylectus Conference

Hi Everyone,

John and I just returned from Scottsdale for the weekend (yes, the weather was much better than Ohio.)

We attend and support at least one Sylectus Conference each year…it’s where member Expediting Motor Carriers converge to discuss industry challenges and growth strategies.

This year’s two outside speakers were especially informative.   The morning session opened with an engaging presentation by Michael Vickers, Entrepreneur.   His focus was “taking your business to the next level”.

The takeaway for everyone in a nutshell?   We all get 1 “point” when we do something that’s expected in life, but that’s easily reversed with negative points when we do something wrong.   By thinking ahead and providing value added, or something unexpected, we gain more “points”.   So in essence, we have some points in escrow when times are tough.

Next week I’ll blog an example specific to Owner Operators.

Our afternoon speaker was Todd Fowler, an Equity Research Analyst with Keybanc.   Todd’s focus is on transportation and logistics companies, with a steady following of his opinions by various Financial sectors.

(Coincidentally, though we met in Scottsdale, Todd lives right up the road from us, small world isn’t it?)

Focusing on the economics of trucking, Todd educated us on past patterns of activity, what causes those patterns and how to predict future trends.

Bottom line, L.A. & Long Beach ports currently indicate higher container activity and housing is trending upwards.   These two developments point to some growth in 2013, but so far nothing earthshattering on the horizon.

Driver shortages will continue to accelerate, though overall U.S. unemployment remains high. FMCSA rules regarding CSA continue to agitate and constrict the trucking marketplace.

…But a continued INCREASE in Expediting movement is predicted as more and more companies require their freight on a just in time basis versus standard inventory storage.

The most interesting take away?   Fully half of the room thought the economy would be worse in 2013, but almost everyone in the room thought they, themselves, and the companies they represent would GROW in 2013.

If positive thinking influences the future, our Expediting Community has a lot of roses amidst the thorns…garden wisely!   LOL

Warm Regards,

Shelly Benisch, CIC

[email protected]   www.MyCISagent.com