Episode 34:  Using Marketing, Hospitality, and a Legal Background to Recruit & Retain, with Erin Schuette

Erin Schuette is the Director of Recruiting and Retention at Fort Transfer Company. Erin possesses experience in the hospitality industry and also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Jurisprudence. She uses this background and applies it to the trucking industry to improve the experience of Fort Transfer Company’s driver fleet.
 
Fort Transfer Company is a third generation, family-owned business committed to its own and its drivers’ success. By providing programs, resources, and opportunities, Fort Transfer Company is leading the way in the trucking industry to recruit and retain reliable and loyal fleet drivers.

“Drivers want to know that they are being heard. Take the time to stop and pay 100 percent attention to the person on the other end of the line or the person in front of you because right now you are their only lifeline.”

– Erin Schuette

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

  • How a hospitality background and the care factor can be useful as a fundamental factor in retention improvement
  • Bridging the gap between the driver fleet, operations, and management to forge a united company with everyone working towards the same goals
  • How evaluating and distinguishing goals according to industry standards and company expectations is important for success
  • How a touch point program nurtures a sense of community and ownership with everyone
  • How a flexible interview process focused on the truck driver changes the hiring process to the company benefit as much as to the driver’s benefit
  • The relationship between leadership and trust building by providing planned communication between management and drivers and making sure drivers know they matter by personnel providing their full attention to drivers on the call
  • How a touch point program doubles as an internal system of accountability to ensure driver related matters identified during the program are indeed addressed appropriately and promptly
  • Why helping and supporting drivers become owners of their own business and supplying them with the tools and resources to do so also helps the trucking company be successful
  • Why branding, finding your own niche, and distinguishing your trucking company against others matters even in the trucking industry
  • The value of a budget and marketing plan that uses the company’s online presence to refine and stimulate the recruitment and retainment process

Ways to contact Erin:

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