Before pursuing new business opportunities, it is important for a motor carrier to evaluate the risk and determine how it will impact the entire company. Calculating the financial risk is one key factor in the decision-making process, but also consider how the new business might affect more than just the drivers and dispatchers.
Every department will be impacted to some degree, and on closer review, additional risks may come to light that may make an opportunity unappealing in the long run. Listed below are sample questions to consider that may help in your process of evaluating the risk of new business opportunities.
SALES / PURCHASING
- Does the company have enough equipment to meet this demand?
- Does the company have the correct type of equipment?
- Does the company have the financial capacity to acquire equipment to meet contractual obligations?
- Does the freight match the company’s business model?
DISPATCH / MAINTENANCE
- Are there an adequate number of dispatchers to properly dispatch the new loads?
- Can drivers deliver loads on time per the contract specifications (traffic patterns)?
- Does the existing pool of drivers have enough hours of service available?
- Does the company have enough service bay capacity to service additional equipment?
- Will the company have to use outside service contracts?
- Will additional mechanics need to be hired and trained?
- Can drivers deliver the loads safely and within regulations?
HUMAN RESOURCES / TRAINING
- Will new drivers need to be hired and trained?
- Does the contract require any specialized training or endorsements?
- Does the company have the staff to hire and train drivers in the time allotted?
- Can human resources find enough qualified drivers to fulfill the contract?
SAFETY / LOSS PREVENTION
- Has a risk analysis of the shipper’s/receiver’s location been conducted?
- Has any identified risk been communicated to senior management?
- Which risks can be removed or avoided?
- Are risk controls available to manage or reduce the possibility of losses?
- Are there adequately trained personnel available to perform road tests on new drivers?
As always, you can count on the commercial truck insurance professionals at The Daniel & Henry Company to assist you through challenging claims and all of our insurance, risk management, and safety issues. Contact us today to discuss solutions for your transportation risk management program.
