Worried About Change? D&L Transition: Seamless and Painless.

Does this resonate with your situation? At D&L, we understand the stress of uncertainty during a transition. That’s why we are fully committed to assisting you in making the switch. We specialize in Agent Onboarding, allocating resources for training, reviewing customer contracts, and providing immediate credit to ensure you’re operational in 24 hours or less. 

Let’s look more closely at exactly what happens during that transition process. And, importantly, why you’d want to make the change in the first place. 

D&L 5-Step Transition Process

Our organization was founded in 2005 by Agents like you. Agent support is our business—our only business. We haven’t forgotten how precarious it can seem to make changes that impact your business, Shippers, and staff. 

That’s why we’ve developed a best-in-class onboarding and transition process. We also take an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to making that transition happen in 24 hours or less. 

We also realize that transitioning a Freight Agency is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. During that transition, we listen, adapt, and react. Within that broad framework, we have a five-step process to ensure everything happens smoothly. 

1. Operational Audit. That includes determining what your customers need from shipping to insurance to specialty accounting. 
2. Customer Contracts and Setup Requirements. Most contracts are reviewed and returned within the same day. 
3. Training on TMS. This takes 30 to 45 minutes, followed by a dedicated team available 24/7 to answer any questions. 
4. Accounts Receivable Setup and Customer Credit. We focus on your feedback and assist customers as needed and appropriate to their situation. 
5. Marketing and Co-Branding. Our marketing team is ready to assist with all your needs from co-branding and promotional items for customers to email addresses and sales collateral. 

Pro Tip: Involve Everyone in the Transition Process

However, the transition doesn’t stop at our five-step process. We understand how important it is for you to protect your Shippers and provide a path with little to no disruption to their operations. With your guidance, we work with you to engage your customers, including everyone within their organization who may be affected by the change. This ensures they support the move and remain attentive to anything that could unintentionally slip through the cracks. Outline the transition process for them so they feel informed about the change and its expected impact on their shipments.

Some customers will need new agreements. Ensure that this is discussed with each of your customers so that the transition occurs smoothly and without obstacles. Our in-house General Counsel at D&L Transport can assist with this review.

Furthermore, emphasize the advantages of this change for your customers. This could involve access to more carriers, increased capacity, larger credit lines, and enhanced technology. Ultimately, this represents a success for your agency and a substantial benefit for your customers.

It doesn’t stop with customers. You’ll need to ensure your staff know the upcoming changes and their timelines. Pay special attention to how these changes will impact your employees. You want everyone to be fully engaged with the changes. They will also need to adjust their daily routines and processes. Assist them in outlining these changes to guarantee they are completed on schedule. For more insight, see our article How to Transition Your Customers to a New Freight Broker. 

What D&L Brings to Your Freight Agency

As you can see, the D&L transition process is the best in the business. However, it does absolutely no good if, once you transition, you’re not happy and face just as many challenges as before. You can rest assured that Life is Better at D&L. Here’s why.

1. Support. D&L has you covered with round-the-clock phone support, lightning-quick response times, and a back office filled with expertise and resources, from carrier support and human resources to accounts payable/receivable and easily available top management insight and problem-solving. That also includes dedicated teams for Claims Disputes and LTL shipments. We also have a dedicated Carrier team focusing on compliance, support, and quick onboarding of new Carriers.
2. Non-Threatening Business Relationship. It begins with a series of NOs: no non-competes, no long-term contracts, no red tape, no games, no gimmicks, and NO bad debt reserves. It culminates in a simple written agreement that protects the Agent and ensures that you always own your business whether you’re with D&L or move on to someone else. To go further, D&L has a non-compete against ourselves in their Agent Agreements. The Agent’s book of business remains with them always.
3. Communication and Transparency. D&L is your Family in Freight for a reason. Our motto is ‘Honesty. Transparency. Respect.’ This is how we operate and have operated since day 1. We’ve worked as Freight Agents, and we know what it’s like to be out on your own. That’s why we started our Freight Agent Program: to provide the tools you need and remove barriers for you to achieve success.
4. Technology. The critical elements are the TMS and Load Board access. But it can’t stop there. Logistics technology is evolving at an ever-increasing pace. That requires investment in adopting new systems and developing existing ones with input from Agents who use the system daily. That’s followed by quick training and support. That’s exactly what you’ll find at D&L. 
5. Commission. Compensation is essential for any Freight Agent program. This includes commission level, structure, payment timing, and the written agreement. It must also consider fees for load boards and TMS subscriptions. D&L pays 70% Commission on all FTL and LTL. Commissions are paid weekly at the time of invoice; there are no fees for TMS or Load Board Access.
6. Strength. Freight Broker’s financial stability and strength show up in credit ratings and quick Carrier payments. They also need strong brand recognition and market share to help you grow your Agency business. D&L ranks at the top in all these areas: top 1% credit rating with Carriers and factoring companies, long-term history, stellar reputation, and instant customer credit. All that also adds up to a solid reputation with Shippers and Carriers. 
7. Culture. This begins with building open, honest, and transparent relationships with everyone the Broker deals with. D&L demonstrates this with a work-hard, play-hard mentality that celebrates successes and encourages people to do their best. We also always work hard to find a win-win solution for everyone involved. Plus, our culture is based on dealing with everyone openly and honestly, having fun, and doing what we say we’ll do every time.
8. Incentives + Benefits. D&L Transport has everything needed to support a growing and successful Freight Agency. That includes the D&L President’s Club, a viable vacation plan, and a group health offering. 

Talk to D&L Agents to Learn More

Don’t take our word; talk to our Agents to learn how it’s working for them. You can learn more from our Freight Agents in our BETTERLIFE™ video series, “Where in the World is D&L?” This series should also provide a great view into our culture and how we do business. 

For further thoughts, see our article The Top 6 Reasons to Move Your Freight Agency. 

Does this still seem like a stretch for you and your organization? Why not give it a try? We call it the D&L Test Drive. This way, you can see how well we deliver on our promises in a low-risk, no-obligation manner.

Is it Time for a BETTERLIFE™ at D&L?

Of course, we feel that our Freight Agency program is the best in the business. To see for yourself, look at our Agent Opportunities page. You can also hear directly from our successful Agents. Then, get in touch, and we can get started.

It’s better here. It’s a better life with D&L. Join The Best Freight Agent Program Today!