The trucking industry has a history of operating “at the limit” in regards to miles, hours, speed, and weight.
Many of you have most likely heard the comment “can’t he/she at least drive the speed limit.” Let’s think about that statement for a moment. The definition for limit: something that bounds, restrains, or confines; the utmost extent. The correct comment would be “can’t he/she at least drive the minimum speed limit.” When creating or executing a business plan, it’s easy to plan on everything going correctly and operating at the “limit”.
Due to the past record of our industry, it’s not uncommon to hear drivers discuss how they couldn’t get their 70 hours in last week or attain their 3,500 plus miles. This reminds me of my old racing days when we did our best to be at the limit on every lap. Unfortunately, when you’re at the limit, it leaves no room for error. None of us wants to be part of the melee that occurs when things go wrong.
When you’re creating your business plan, do you figure on limits or leave a cushion? Can your plan survive a snowy winter, loss of a customer, major engine failure, illness or any other deviation from your original plan? Each week cannot be the golden profit center. There will be weeks and even months that will set you back and we need to be prepared for those circumstances when they arise. I designed my business plan with lots of cushion or as I put it… “I wasn’t wearing rose colored glasses.”
The average workweek for most people employed is a 40 hour week. Anything above the 40 hours actually pays more per hour. Now, I’m not suggesting that we make time and a half for our overtime, although that rings a nice bell doesn’t it?
This reminds me of a past neighbor who lived beside our house a few years ago. He and I were outside on a nice Saturday morning ready to mow our lawns. We began to chat for a bit. He told me how exhausted he was from working a 52 hour week, unlike his usual 40 hour week. I couldn’t believe it… it was difficult to sympathize with his plight as I couldn’t recall the last time my week consisted of anything less than 60 hours.
In the beginning, I spoke of being at the “limit” on various issues within the trucking industry. Maybe we need to concentrate on setting margins or leaving a reserve for such issues in order to survive the unexpected. The definition of Margin: A. a spare amount or measure or degree allowed or given for contingencies or special situations. Reserve: to hold in reserve: keep back, to set aside at the Eucharist for future use, to retain or hold over to a future time or place.
We’re best to leave “living on the edge” to race car drivers and athletes.