By Makenna Christensen, Software Sales Coordinator, TMS
I graduated this past May from Marquette University and, shortly after, started working at the Allen Lund Company. I have had the opportunity to jump feet-first into one of the country’s most vital industries under immense pressure since the pandemic. To say I’m a newbie would be an understatement, but the best part about being a newbie is that I offer a fresh perspective on the industry. So, here are a few takeaways from my first five months.
The transportation industry is the most critical sector of the American economy, yet it is underappreciated. Without it, people across the nation would be unable to access even the most basic necessities. We often forget that every trucker, broker, and dispatcher is just as essential as our firefighters, nurses, and doctors. Luckily, perceptions are changing; recent polling found that 87% of voters have a favorable perception of the trucking industry, a 20% increase from 2019. Personally, I think these everyday heroes deserve a huge round of applause.
In addition to recognizing these essential workers, we also need to note that we are in an age where digital technology has become the norm. How is such a vital function still stuck in the dark ages? It is estimated that today, approximately 40% of all containerized transactions are still reliant on the physical transfer of paper BOLs. The economic benefits of digital BOLs are immense, with some estimating that widespread adoption of electronic BOLs could save upwards of 6.5 billion dollars for all stakeholders involved. Paper BOLs may be the most blaring example of a technological gap, but there are still businesses across the country that process all their shipments on pen and paper. By digitizing processes with cutting-edge technology, like AlchemyTMS, these companies can improve efficiency and, ultimately, their bottom line.
The most important insight I have gained is that I need to learn more. My first few months merely scratched the surface of the industry’s processes, needs, and limitations. My training has been a team effort that has exposed me to opportunities to expand my knowledge every day, and I look forward to learning more with you.
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Makenna Christensen graduated from Marquette University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Human Resources. She started working at the Allen Lund Company in July 2022, as a Software Sales Coordinator for ALC Logistics, the software division of ALC.