By Alec Hogg
Inspiration can come from anywhere. But my juices really get going when hearing experiences of successful entrepreneurs. Like the one who emailed me yesterday, sharing how in 2008 he was wiped out by a crooked business partner. Overnight, at 60, he was left with zero income and apart from a home, pretty much no other assets.
Our hero, who wants to stay anonymous, bonded his house to start another transport company. This time he broke the usual mould. Instead of hiring “service providers”, he pays top salaries and insists employees take time off to rest and see their families. Each driver has an assistant whose job is to do the hard work like pulling tarpaulins on and off the truck when the cargo is handled. That enables the driver to rest.
He also fastidiously maintains the trucks and only runs on new tyres. It means his costs are double those of the average transport company. But this unconventional wisdom works – fresh drivers and well maintained trucks mean better safety. And that is potent for a haulier’s bottom line.
Now 69, he loves working a six and a half day week. His mortgage was repaid in seven years and “our drivers’ car park has double cabs, Fortunas, etc so they enjoy the fruits of their labours.” Transport companies are usually run by accountants. He’s not one. But his shared value approach is based on a belief that if employees are happy, they are more productive. That’s a business model that owners obsessed with debits and credit can never match.
