SCG Owner Operator Participates in Driver Panel

SCG was privileged to participate in TMW System’s inaugural Driver Panel at their annual User Conference hosted Oct 22 – 25 in Chicago, IL.  Naaman Watson, an SCG Owner Operator, was one of four drivers asked to sit on the panel to discuss driver retention issues.  The main theme of the panel was that retention isn’t just about money – it’s about communication.  With the driver shortfall predicted to be 50,000 plus drivers a year for the next five years, the participants on the panel were asked what was the key to retaining drivers.  All participants stated that building relationships with the driver was the key.  But what does this mean?  The panel had the following to say: 

• During the hiring and orientation process, companies must listen to the drivers’ needs – if the company cannot meet them, the driver will not stay.  Employers must openly explain the reality of the lifestyle, so the driver has a clear understanding of what to expect from his company and his job.

• Drivers must be able to trust what they are told in the orientation process. Employers have to be able to back up what they tell the driver.  If they tell the driver they will get 2500 miles a week, they must be able to deliver.

• Drivers need to feel that they have some level of control over their life.  They need to feel they are part of a team.  Relationship was the key word stressed again and again.  Drivers need to feel like their company is there to help them.  Drivers don’t want to feel alone on the road – they want to feel like part of the team. 
  

Naaman Watson has had a positive experience with SCG in all of these respects.  He stated to the audience, “They [SCG] have lived up to my expectations.  My stress level is very low.  [SCG] is knowledgeable about what a driver needs and what it takes to have a good family life.  Money is good, but what’s most important to me is being able to communicate.”  Naaman stated that he has a great relationship with his fleet manager, Joe Mottola.  “[Joe] has always been very good to me.”  Joe in return said of Naaman, “He’s easy to talk to and is just a great driver. He’s a pleasure to work with.”  It’s clear that these two have an excellent working relationship and this is the reason Naaman has found a home with SCG.          

Other participants on the panel were Bob Lund (Schneider National), Nick Belongia (Paper Transport), Vince Reed (Perkins Logistics) and Duff Swain, moderator and President of Trincon Group.