Contents

Start Your Own Freight Brokerage Business, 5th Edition

     Preface

Chapter 1

     Introduction to the Freight Brokerage Business

             The Players

             How They Started

             Specialist or Generalist?

             Who’s Minding the Store?

             Do You Have What It Takes?

                   Before Becoming a Freight Broker or Agent, Get the Proper Training

Chapter 2

     What Does the Business Require?

             Education and Experience

             Building Carrier Relationships

             Banking On Your Banker

             Those Critical Customers

             Record-Keeping Requirements

Chapter 3

     Operations

             Facts on File

                   Shipper Information

                   Carrier Information

             Finding Carriers

             Rates and Commissions

                   Quoting Rates

             Documents

                   Carrier/Broker Agreement

                   Load Confirmation and Rate Agreement

                   Bill of Lading

                   Contract Labor Receipt

                   Invoices

                   Contract of Carriage

             Are You on a Mission?

             Seasonal Issues

             The Impact of 9/11 on Brokers

Chapter 4

     What Can Go Wrong?

             Transit Delays

             Cargo Loss or Damage Claims

             Responding to Problems

Chapter 5

     Locating and Setting Up

             Put It All in Writing

             The Agent Option

             Naming Your Company

             Brand Your Business

             Choosing a Legal Structure

             Insurance

             Professional Advisors

                   Create Your Own Advisory Board

             Basic Office Equipment

             Telecommunications

                   Keep Your Customers Out of Voicemail Jail

             Transportation Brokerage Software

             Website and Email

             Use Online Content to Educate Your Customers

                   Your Social Media Policy

             Inventory

             Company Vehicle

Chapter 6

     Staffing Your Company

             Basic Positions

             Calling All People

             Evaluating Applicants

             Benefits

             Keep People in Perspective

             The High Cost of Turnover

             Why Train?

                   Training Techniques

             Noncompete Agreements

Chapter 7

     Marketing

             Market Research

             Choosing a Niche

             Communicating with Your Customers

             Know Thine Enemy

             Outsourcing Opportunity

             Join the Right Groups

Chapter 8

     Sales

             Telephone, Online, or Face-to-Face Sales

             Qualifying Prospects

             Determining Needs

             Why Do You Ask?

             Steak or Sizzle

             Does Anyone Object?

             Ask for the Business

Chapter 9

     Financial Management

             Setting Credit Policies

             Warning Signs

             Cash-Flow Controls

             The Power of Compensating Balances

             Managing Payables

             Facts on Factoring

Chapter 10

     Tales from the Trenches

             Use Advertising and Marketing Techniques that Work

             Prepare for the Future

             Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

             Get Rid of Carriers That Don’t Perform

             Maintain a Broad and Diverse Customer Base

             Get in the Spotlight

             Be Open to Evolution

             Protect Your Reputation

             An Industry Veteran Puts the Pieces Together

Appendix

     Freight Broker Resources

             Associations and Regulatory Agencies

             Online Services and Resources

             Publications and Training Resources

             Software

             Successful Freight Brokers

     Glossary

     Index

Start Your Own Business

ON YOUR MARK . . .

PART 1

THINK

CHAPTER 1

    Introduction

CHAPTER 2

    Taking the Plunge: Get Ready to Be an Entrepreneur

CHAPTER 3

    Good Idea!: How to Get an Idea for Your Business

CHAPTER 4

    Good Timing: Should You Launch Your Business Part or Full Time?

CHAPTER 5

    Build It or Buy It?: Starting a Business vs. Buying One

PART 2

PLAN

CHAPTER 6

    Choose Your Target: Defining Your Market

CHAPTER 7

    If You Build It, Will They Come?: Conducting Market Research

CHAPTER 8

    The Name Game: Naming Your Business

CHAPTER 9

    Make It Legal: Choosing a Business Structure

CHAPTER 10

    Plan of Attack: Creating a Winning Business Plan

CHAPTER 11

    Call in the Pros: Hiring a Lawyer and an Accountant

PART 3

FUND

CHAPTER 12

    All in the Family: Financing Starts with Yourself and Friends and Relatives

CHAPTER 13

    Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained: How to Find and Attract Investors

CHAPTER 14

    Looking for Loans: The Ins and Outs of Debt Financing

CHAPTER 15

    Fed Funds: How to Get Government Loans

GET SET

PART 4

PREPARE

CHAPTER 16

    What’s Your Deal?: Negotiating Successfully by Cliff Ennico

CHAPTER 17

    Site Seeking: Choosing a Location for Your Business

CHAPTER 18

    Looking Good: Creating a Professional Image

CHAPTER 19

    Stock Answers: The Lowdown on Inventory

CHAPTER 20

    It’s in the Mail: Setting Up Mailing Systems

CHAPTER 21

    Charging Ahead: Offering Your Customers Credit

CHAPTER 22

    Cover Your Assets: Getting Business Insurance

CHAPTER 23

    Staff Smarts: Hiring Employees

CHAPTER 24

    Perk Up: Setting Employee Policies and Benefits

PART 5

BUY

CHAPTER 25

    Buyer’s Guide: Business Equipment Basics

CHAPTER 26

    Business 24/7: Using Technology to Boost Your Productivity

CHAPTER 27

    Net Works: Building Your Company Website

CHAPTER 28

    Keep in Touch: Using Technology to Stay Connected

GO

PART 6

MARKET

CHAPTER 29

    Brand Aid: Building a Brand

CHAPTER 30

    Marketing Genius: Advertising and Marketing Your Business

CHAPTER 31

    Talking Points: How to Promote Your Business

CHAPTER 32

    Sell It!: Effective Selling Techniques

CHAPTER 33

    Now Serving: Offering Superior Customer Service

PART 7

ENGAGE

CHAPTER 34

    Net Sales: Online Advertising and Marketing

CHAPTER 35

    Social Studies: Social Media Marketing

CHAPTER 36

    Can You Relate?: Social Media Networking

PART 8

PROFIT

CHAPTER 37

    Keeping Score: The Basics of Bookkeeping by J. Tol Broome Jr.

CHAPTER 38

    Making a Statement: How to Create Financial Statements by J. Tol Broome Jr.

CHAPTER 39

    On the Money: Effectively Managing Your Finances by J. Tol Broome Jr.

CHAPTER 40

    Pay Day: How to Pay Yourself

CHAPTER 41

    Tax Talk: What You Need to Know About Your Taxes by Joan Szabo

APPENDIX

    Business and Government Resources

Glossary

Index