This content was originally published on SupplyChainDive.com.

Continuously growing and efficiently running a business is challenging for all entrepreneurs regardless of background or experience. As a freight agency owner, there are specific steps you can take to make your business thrive in the unpredictable world of logistics and transportation.

Align Your Business with a Reliable Transportation Provider

Aligning your freight agency with a well-known transportation provider can help you establish credibility with potential new customers. You will have confidence selling if you know you’re backed by an industry leader, and your customers will likely be familiar with the company’s reputation, too.

Look for these qualities in the company you operate with:

• A safety-first culture with experienced drivers recognized for safe driving
• Freedom to run your business independently and set your own priorities
• A large capacity network with access to a variety of equipment
• Opportunities to offer customers a full suite of services
• Provides freight agencies with back-office administration
• Financially stable
• Designed for unlimited earning potential

Embrace Your Support Network

Successful entrepreneurs are surrounded by a strong support network. When starting your freight agency, turn to your connections in the industry and potential book of business to get your company off the ground. Likewise, the transportation provider you’re aligned with should provide you with high levels of support. Lean on the company’s transportation experts, training opportunities, sales development knowledge and overall experience to further develop your freight agency.

Take Advantage of Available Tools and Resources

The transportation provider you operate under should supply you with the resources you’ll need to successfully run your business. Some of the tools and technology that you should take advantage of are those that help you:

• Develop price quotes quickly
• Operate remotely
• Position your resources
• Analyze business performance

For those freight agencies that are newly established, access to sales and marketing materials will give you the opportunity to align with the transportation provider’s branding. Standing out from your competitors will be critical to your initial growth.

Stay Updated on Industry Trends

The freight environment is constantly changing and it’s important that you are always up to date on new developments in the industry. You are your customer’s one-stop-shop so you should be able to steer them in the right direction if they ever approach you with questions or concerns. Not only will this knowledge of the industry help your customers, but you will be better equipped to adapt your business operations to new trends and regulations.

Always Stay Driven

Nobody is going to have the same passion for your business as you do. If you do not stay motivated to continuously deliver the best transportation solutions for your customers and/or stay driven to grow your company, your business will become stagnant. And if you are managing a freight agency with multiple employees, the complacency will trickle down from the top. Your freight agency will not run itself.

Whether you already own a freight agency or you are considering becoming a freight agency owner, these steps will guide you in your quest to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

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