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National Retail Systems, Inc. Blog
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Latest Posts
6 Traits of a Great Truck Driver
04/18/2018
News / Truckers Blog
Professionals in all industries know that there’s a certain skill set needed to succeed in their respective occupation. Even though some skills come with natural talent, many can be learned and embraced to improve your overall performance – and that includes supply chain management employees as well. Truckers driving for a logistics provider must uphold a reliable and efficient work ethic in order to accomplish the goals of all parties involved. Here’s what today’s drivers are doing to excel in the logistics industry, and how you can adopt those traits to be the best truck driver on the road. Traits of a Great Truck Driver Talent will propel your performance throughout your truck driving career, as well as building upon your existing skills. The following qualities and characteristics are traits of what makes a great truck driver. Reliability Reliability sits at the top of the totem pole while analyzing the traits of a great truck driver. This characteristic is easily dissectible due to its simplicity. In short, as long as the driver gets the job done well in a timely manner and does what is required of them, they can be in the center of providing a seamless solution to transport challenges. A Spotless Driving Record A clean driving record will provide employers and prospective clients with confidence that freight will be successfully delivered without obstruction. Companies want to provide the utmost trust in their drivers and a great record gives a great sense of relief and no need for constant check-ups. Truckers with clean driving shows employers that the individual upholds professionalism, poise and reliability. Driving records without any past hiccups will also be cheaper to insure, making this respective driver an optimal choice. Alertness / Awareness A truck driver’s domain exists out on the open road, and constant alertness is needed at all times. This means that eyes should be on the road and measures should be taken to avoid dozing off. This road awareness entails being respectful to other drivers, anticipating their actions, using turn signals, avoiding road rage, abiding by the speed limit, having preparedness for the possibilities for events on the road and acknowledging problematic signs of their vehicle. Healthy Habits Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is another major positive for a truck driver. Eating healthy and avoiding bad habits that can cause negative side effects, or even sleepiness, are of great importance. These habits will directly play into a driver’s reliability and ability to perform. Being healthy means a long, successful life and career. Try to drink more water, exercise, avoid added sugars and steer clear of quick junk food snacks. Communication Skills This skillset encompasses an individual’s people skills and how well a driver can communicate with others. These customer service traits are needed to maintain positive client relationships. This face-to-face interaction is an extension of your businesses reputation. Conducting good conversation, fairness and politeness will raise client satisfaction and build a lasting relationship. Be a courteous business ambassador and be cordial with everyone who you come into contact with. Mechanically Savvy A truck driver’s mechanical knowledge will come as one of the largest perks within their repertoire. Hosting a stock of skills that could assist in repairing and maintenance the equipment being operated is of vital importance. This will influence the efficiency of the vehicle’s performance while promoting safety of the driver and the others on the road. Drive with the Ultimate 3PL It’s only human nature to crave the experience of success. No matter where you find yourself doing great work, all professions have industry-specific traits that will increase individual performance for the better. Following the tips listed above will help you understand what it takes to be a great truck driver and build on your existing talents. With goals of maintaining our status as the ultimate 3PL fulfillment service, National Retail Systems, Inc. is always searching for more great drivers to join our dedicated fleet. If interested in joining us, view our driver job postings and contact us at 1-800-753-0605 for more information. We’d love to hear from you and have you join our asset based 3PL team to service the world’s largest retailers. Build a rewarding career with National Retail Systems, In...
Day or Night Driving: Which is Best for Truckers?
04/11/2018
News / Truckers Blog
Day Driving vs. Night Driving Every driver has their own unique tactic that work best for them while they’re out on the road. Whether it’s a special diet, exercise routine or podcast that keeps them going and fully energized, drivers have his or her very own trucking secrets. A question that is commonly debated is, “What’s best option for truckers: day or night driving?” Opinions will of course vary depending on personal preference and experience, but both times of day have their own pros and cons. Below highlights the major perks and disadvantages between day and night driving so you can decide how to approach your driving technique. What Influences the Decision? First, it’s important to note that not every driver will always have a choice on when they’ll be required to drive. Often times the driving schedule revolves around various business needs such as pickup times, scheduled delivery dates and other demands from a retailer, manufacturer or logistics provider. Truckers do have preferences on when they’d prefer to drive, but for arguments sake let’s say you have free range of how you’d like to log your driving hours. The talking points below further define how day and night driving will be compared to one another. Parking Opportunities Traffic Staying Energized & Awake Potential Distractions & Obstacles Driving During the Day Parking Finding a place to park during the day is never a difficult feat to accomplish, or find, for a driver. Designated truck areas in rest stops tend to be open and have enough room for you to comfortably park if you need a break during your travels. The caveat however is that these areas will begin to lose vacancy fairly quickly as evening comes to an end. Plan ahead and time your rest for the night after a long day of driving to avoid desperation for parking. Traffic Arguably one of the worst parts of daytime driving is the possibility of hitting traffic. It’s a frustrating experience if you get caught up in morning and afternoon rush hours, but a driver must keep their cool and avoid road rage until traffic frees up. Energy and Alertness A huge perk of driving during the day is that the human body tends to be most alert and awake during daytime hours. Yes, we all get sleepy sometimes come pretty much any time after noon, but a good cup of coffee and healthy foods will do the trick to keep you energized. Driving during the daytime also allows the driver to make no significant changes to their sleeping schedule. Distractions and Obstacles The day can provide some undesirable distractions and obstacles while on the road. Visibility is clearer than it’ll ever be on a nice day, but a truck driver must be careful of losing focus on the road and paying too much attention to the landscape around them. Drivers must also be aware of the large quantity of drivers, construction zones, infrastructure damage and pretty much anything that operates during the day. Driving at Night Time Parking Parking becomes a little more difficult at night. Truck stops can be busy and tend to fill up near the end of the day so drivers can rest for the night. If a “night-owl” trucker needs to take a break during their twilight drive, it may be best to plan accordingly. Try to accurately schedule your travel so you can park and rest in the customer’s lot. Traffic By far the largest benefit of nighttime driving is the lack of other drivers on the road. There’s no need to worry about severe traffic or anything of the sorts, but make sure to stay within the speed limit – no drivers doesn’t mean it’s a free for all. The few drivers you’ll see navigating the roads with you, if any, shouldn’t pose as an issue whatsoever. Energy and Alertness If you haven’t gotten accustomed to a new sleep schedule since you’re trucking through the night, nighttime driving isn’t always the best option in this case. There are many ways to stay awake but dozing off in the dark can be very dangerous. Distractions and Obstacles Driving during the night has a lot less obstacles and distractions due to the lack of visibility on the road, but it’s this lowered sense of your surroundings that is the only minor hang-up. Maintain your headlights are in working order, stay awake and keep an eye out for deer crossing the road and you’ll get to your destination with no struggle at all. The Conclusion Unfortunately, this conclusion won’t provide one single answer. Simply put, the best time to drive solely lies on how you personally analyze the points described above. Saying that there’s no specific answer probably isn’t the super climactic, defining answer you’re looking for, however it will hopefully inspire you as a driver to weigh your options. If you have the flexibility to choose between day and night driving, you must remember to take the required rest time between extended driving periods. Drivers should never take on more than they can handle and getting enough rest is critical for all truck drivers to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road around them. Truck Driving Jobs with National Retail Systems, Inc. Whichever time you prefer to navigate the roads, great drivers are always needed. National Retail Systems, Inc. values our drivers as the true backbone of our company. The company’s overarching goals of being the ultimate 3PL provider are contingent on the dedicated fleet of drivers at our side. If you’re interested in truck driving jobs in your area and being the central force of our customized solution business model, view the available job postings with National Retail Systems, Inc. We encourage you to contact us or call 1-800-753-0605 for any additional information or driver recruitment assistance. Advance your career and join us on exceeding the ordinary with streamlined lean logistics....
SPACE AVAILABLE IN NRS AUTOMATED FACILITY
04/03/2018
In The News
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Why Your Supply Chain Strategy Needs to Go Green
02/08/2018
Truckers Blog
How an Environmentally Friendly Supply Chain is Valuable The shift towards a “greener” society has been a worldwide movement for some time now. A business’ success is highly contingent on how well a supply chain functions, and making conscious efforts to “go green” can directly provide several distinct benefits in the long-run. The push for streamlining business operations to fit an eco-friendly model is proving to be an advantageous move for environmental sustainability as well as the corporation implementing the new system. Read on below to learn how and why an environmentally friendly supply chain is a valuable, dual-purpose, business practice to adopt. Easily Upgrade with Inbound Regulations As states and their legislators are setting up emission and other healthy environment oriented laws, companies in the industry must change their approach to how supply chain operates or choose the right 3PL provider to meet these requirements. Upgrading your equipment and the way you operate gradually before regulations are officially mandated. This way, you’ll be ahead of the game, prepared to comply with the laws, and promote a sustainable planet through your business. Recycling Raw Materials An eco-friendly supply chain will grant you the opportunity to easily recycle materials that aren’t of use any longer. Recycling whenever possible will cut down on pollution from landfills and any possible emissions that may result. You can help the environment at the source and play a direct role working towards long-term sustainability. Proper Waste Management A company is always going to have waste that needs to be dealt with, however the key is how well it’s handled. This is a large portion of the “go green” movement and it’s really quite simple. Take this scenario as an example: if you separate your trash and recyclable waste in your own home, do the same for your business. Authorizing the “green” light on eliminating non-recyclable waste and recycling your remaining product will help cut down environmental waste storage and giving your product the eligibility for reuse in the future. Renewable Energy Cutting out fossil fuel usage is a goal many supply chains and other 3PLs are working towards. Solar power, for example, is a great opportunity to slash energy costs, help the environment without fossil fuel reliance, and introduce many new eco-friendly related incentives for your company. Renewable energy is how a supply chain will rise against competition while abiding by the highly pursued lean logistics model. Market the “Green” A company who’s made conscious efforts to “go green” will more than likely – and should – share the news of their endeavors. This will help mold the perceived image of your company in a positive light. You’ll be encouraging, promoting, and leading by example to influence others in the industry to promote eco-friendliness. Marketing your adoption and daily implementation of “green” activity can domino effect into a larger amount of healthier business. Partner with Green Suppliers When other companies learn that you’re also making efforts to “go green,” there’s always the possibility of partnership. To make your product you’ll need supplies from a trusted supplier. Partnering with a “green” supplier creates a chain of trust throughout the industry, your supply chain, and all the way to the consumer. Your decision to implement “green” business activity or providing a “green” 3PL won’t go unnoticed. Tax Reduction Incentives Tax reductions are also a benefit of creating an eco-friendly supply chain model. With obvious exhaust and emission reductions, businesses can receive certifications reimbursements, and reductions for their efforts. Cut Maintenance and Fuel Cost This eco-friendly supply chain necessity is very straightforward, especially if you invest and trust in a 3PL service provider. With a provider, they’ll provide you their own “green” fleet so it won’t cost you any accessory fuel or maintenance cost. You’ll receive both the “green” business edge and reduced costs. Eco-Friendly Supply Chain Management with National Retail Systems, Inc. National Retail Systems, Inc. is a supply-chain focused 3PL provider that provides customized solutions to all business and retailers. We’re focused on accomplishing your logistics goals as an eco-friendly industry leader. Our commitment to your business endeavors and environmental awareness is imperative to our model. Please contact us at 201-330-1900 for more information about National Retail Systems, Inc. and our environmentally friendly lean logistics services....
The 5 Biggest Dangers on the Road During Winter Weather
01/10/2018
News
The winter season poses some unfavorable driving conditions. All you ask for is the ability to get from point A to B with no problems or delays, but winter has no regard for your concerns. Though the cold months don’t always offer stress-free driving, maneuvering yourself on the wintery roads isn’t an impossible feat. Patience is an ideal trait to have for drivers this time of the year. Maintaining good driving habits and staying aware of your surroundings will safely get you through the dangers of winter. Black Ice Black Ice is an age-old danger of the winter season. This type of ice is totally transparent and undetectable when traveling on the road. Black ice camouflages the road and is one of the most deadly winter driving hazards. To avoid sliding off the road or into accidents, slow down, don’t brake hard, steer smoothly and stay calm! Black ice is commonly found on bridges and below overpasses, so tread these areas with care during the winter. Braking & Acceleration Too Quickly Go easy on the pedals during winter conditions. The roads are slick and not safe for hard braking or quick acceleration. Be sure to pump your brakes on a surface you know is slippery. Preventing your tires from locking will help you keep full control of the truck. When your in a situation where accelerating the gas is needed, take it slow. You don’t want to risk skidding over ice, so drive slowly and gently make speed changes. Give yourself time to react and travel at a pace that promotes safety. Lack of Visibility Keep your truck in full visibility at all times. Winter conditions can cause many parts of your vehicle to become fogged or dirty. The winter’s uncleanliness can impair your vision behind the wheel. Make sure your windshield is defrosted and cleaned from winter road residue. Keep your antifreeze washer fluid so you can clear off any obstructed views. Be sure to clean off the lights on your truck as well. Sweep the snow off of your head, brake and turn signal lights. You want to be able to maintain efficient driving vision at night and so others can see your road actions. Be mindful of others on the road that neglected to maintain visibility of their own vehicle. Safety first! Overconfidence in Severe Winter Conditions Sometimes the biggest threat on the road can be you. The winter obviously does not provide optimal driving conditions, but don’t amplify them with overconfidence. Maintain patience and be aware of your road capabilities. Don’t think you’ll be able to journey through any snowstorm. Getting the job done is the main goal, but the safety of yourself and others is much more important. Take a break and wait out the storm until driving can be performed in a safe manner. Low Fuel Try to avoid scenarios of letting your fuel get too low. The winter can be unforgiving at times, and you never know when reaching a gas station is out of the question. A full tank of gas can improve the winter condition performance of your truck as well! A full tank increases your truck’s weight, creating better traction to the ground. This is especially ideal increasing the tires’ grip on slippery surfaces. Keeping a full fuel tank is an intelligent trait of an experienced driver. Make this a habit and you’ll avoid the accessory complications that result from the winter season! Reliable Logistics from National Retail Systems, Inc. Trucking is the backbone of National Retail Systems, Inc. Our dedicated fleet of drivers allows us to provide customized solutions for all of our customers. With over 65 years of focus on lean logistics, National Retail Systems, Inc. wants to simplify your 3PL priorities. For more information on our locations or services, check out National Retail System, Inc. news or contact us today to get started on simplifying your logistics. ...
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