Freight Brokerage Business by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Copyright Contents Start Your Own Freight Brokerage Business, 5th Edition

Title Page 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

Title Page 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

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

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