In this throwback episode of Get a Load of This podcast, we talk to Benjamin Kowalski from Freight360. We talk about how to scale your freight brokerage business to superior levels and how training and mentoring through Freight360 can get you there faster. Ben is an expert in his field and is dropping MAJOR GEMS. Pay attention!
Episode Highlights:
Benjamin discusses the start of the Freight360 podcast and how it evolved into an educational platform with one-on-one and group coaching programs. (4:17)
Benjamin mentions that if he had a CB Handle, it would be the first thing that came to his mind. (8:45)
Benjamin discusses what he is seeing on the brokerage side given the current condition of the market and what he is advising his brokers to be looking at, especially in relation to the spot market and the contract market. (10:08)
Benjamin shares his thoughts on cargo thefts and double brokering. (19:39)
Benjamin mentions that when he works directly with brokerages on the coaching side, he digs into where their consumers need to go and the value as well as the risk of the commodity. (28:48)
Benjamin discusses coaching three insurance agency owners in the consumer retail industry. (29:45)
Benjamin explains that the first two hours he spends with every client are spent learning as much as he can about how they got to where they are now. (34:09)
Benjamin explains that if you truly want more time, you must first delegate, which can be difficult to do when someone has achieved success because usually they do everything alone. (37:41)
Benjamin explains that the qualities he looks for in a client is someone who is not currently satisfied with their situation or who is satisfied but wants to grow, and who is prepared to do whatever it takes to get there. (45:32)
Benjamin mentions that they are already in discussions about developing a second edition of their course tailored to trucking companies, particularly smaller owner-operators because they face many of the same difficulties. (48:24)
Benjamin believes that greatness is defined by doing the tough thing every day, even when you don't feel like it. (49:50)
Key Quotes:
“The first two hours I spend with any client is mostly understanding as much as I can of how they arrived at where they're at right now. And I'll go back to even high school, college adolescent sports because I'm really big on analogies and using other situations to point out that oftentimes people have they actually have the answer to their own problem.” - Benjamin Kowalski
“The biggest thing people struggle with is giving things to another person knowing they could do it better, and knowing the person they're training is going to make mistakes.” - Benjamin Kowalski
“If you really want more time or need more time, you first have to get the things off your plate. And that is a very difficult thing to do when somebody has become successful because they do everything themselves.” - Benjamin Kowalski
Resources Mentioned:
Benjamin Kowalski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminkowalski/
Freight360: http://www.freight360.net/
Cameron Pechia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-pechia-49903072/
Ryan Young: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanyoung1986/
Valley Trucking Insurance: https://www.valleytruckinginsurance.com/