Benchmarking
Chairman: John Kaburick - Earl L. Henderson Trucking Company	The Benchmarking Program provides truckload carriers with a results-oriented forum for sharing best practices and processes that will aid them in reducing costs and improving efficiencies. Staff Liaison: Debbie Sparks, dsparks@truckload.org

"When Performance is Measured, Performance Improves." TCA is pleased to announce a comprehensive program that will enable the Truckload Carrier to identify costs in specific profit centers to better prepare their organizations for profitability.

TCA and Decisiv Best Practices are best known for running high-impact 20-Groups for the heavy truck industry. Decisiv has taken this high-impact, results-oriented process to Truckload Carriers. The 20-Group program is a self-help forum where business principles can compare operating Benchmarks and, more importantly, Best Practices that produce successful Benchmarks.

"I believe (the Benchmarking Process) is the most valuable endeavor we at G&P have been a part of. It brings out a positive spirit that will benefit all the participants." Clifton Parker-CEO, G & P Trucking

HOW THE 20 GROUPS OPERATE:

Each Group is made up of between 12 and 20 members. The Groups are segmented into Carrier specialties such as refrigerated, dry-van, and flatbed. The 20-Group meets three times per year for a period of one to two days in different parts of the country so Carriers can share and exchange proven ideas and measures their financial performance against fellow operators. At the meetings, Group members share their Best Practices and Processes that will aid them in reducing costs, and improving efficiencies.

THE 20-GROUP TOOL OR THE ENGINE THAT DRIVES THE PROCESS:

Every month the 20-Group members submit their financial statements to Decisiv, who in turn processes a comprehensive financial composite that profit centers select departments and ranks the Carriers according to key factors. Decisiv sends each member a copy of its group's composite that contains the comparative statistics compiled from their statements. Along with the group comparisons, Decisiv supplies its Carriers with valuable Benchmarks that allow our clients to keep pace with the industry. The composite is an excellent tool for setting goals within your individual business.

SPECIAL STUDIES:

Decisiv is always staying ahead of the curve and we constantly upgrade our composite by developing special studies at our meetings. These studies provide information not always available in the statement, but have a direct effect on the bottom line.

THE GROUP MODERATOR:

Decisiv understands the strength of the group revolves around the 20-Group members and not necessarily the Group consultant. Our job is to moderate the meetings, interpret the composite, keep the group on topic and challenge the members to improve their operations. The moderator draws from the high-performing Carriers the practices that have resulted in higher metrics in a certain Benchmark. The moderator compiles the "Hot Topics" for the upcoming meetings, sets the agendas, organizes the meetings, and consults with individual members when requested.

ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF BELONGING TO A DECISIV 20-GROUP:

The meetings act as a high-level strategic planning session with your fellow members where current challenges are dissected, discussed and analyzed. Be it a cost cutting strategy or a marketing idea, the benefits of membership are ongoing in a challenging marketplace. This proven process has been integral to the success of our Truck Dealer members, and has already proven to be successful with our current Truckload Carriers.

NEXT STEPS:

1. Group invites the member to an upcoming meeting
2. Confidentiality Agreement is signed by prospective member before attending
3. After the meeting the Group and prospective member agree on membership
4. Carrier registration and welcome packet completed by new member
5. New member submits financial information on the TCA Financial Input Sheet
   
   1. Financial data is submitted on or before 60 days after the end of the month
   2. Failure to submit data two months in a row is grounds for dismissal
6. Members will receive the TCA/Decisiv Composite 90 days after the end of the month
7. Executive leadership of the member is expected at the three meetings per year

CHALLENGE THE COMFORT ZONES IN YOUR ORGANIZATION:

Strategic planning is fine, but strategic acting is better. Get involved with our high-powered program, challenge your performance against fellow carriers, and be ready to change for the better!

"It's not that companies don't want to react to the market, it's that their current practices have become so ingrained that they don't realize they need to do something new. They might be trapped by the very strategies, processes, relationships, resources, and values that enabled their past success." Donald Sull-author of Revival of the Fittest: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Managers Remake Them.

Staff Liaison:
Debbie Sparks, dsparks@truckload.org

Spouse Program

TCA's Spouse Program is the charitable fundraising arm of the Association. It holds special events to raise money for various charities, most notably TCA's own Scholarship Fund. The group meets once a year during the TCA Annual Convention.

Staff Liaisons:
Chris Burruss, cburruss@truckload.org
William Giroux, wgiroux@truckload.org