The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is gearing up to formally request a big change: a federal time cap on personal conveyance use by truck drivers
Independent Contractor Fight Reignites — DOL Backs Off Biden-Era Rule for Now The U.S. Department of Labor just announced a major shift: It’s officially putting the brakes on enforcing the 2024 Biden-era independent contractor rule — at least for now. In a memo sent May 1 by acting Wage and Hour Administrator Donald Harrison III, […]
For small carriers, you have to have a solid strategy to win freight directly from shippers. Here are the steps to make it happen.
Managers walk a fine line between tracking performance and stepping on toes.
Fuel strategy is essential to running a profitable business. Here are some pro tips to help you maximize your fuel strategy.
New Federal Push on CDL Enforcement Targets a Growing Concern Last week, the White House issued a formal directive aimed at cracking down on what it calls “commonsense violations” in commercial driver licensing. The Executive Order, signed on April 24, sets the stage for stricter federal oversight of state licensing practices — particularly focusing on […]
Small carriers pay attention: the dip in rates is consequential for you.
The jump from leased-on driver to running under your own authority feels easy when you’re frustrated with your current situation. You start thinking, “Man, if I’m doing all the work, why am I giving up 20%, 30%, even 40% of the money?” And you’re not wrong to feel that way. But emotion doesn’t pay for […]
If Part 1 of this series was about the mindset shift—getting off the hamster wheel of the spot market—then Part 2 is all about the muscle: the actual steps to build, pitch, and maintain shipper relationships that bring consistency to your business. This is where the rubber meets the road. In the Playbook Masterclass, we […]
How do you get from running your truck to running your business? Find out in this Roadmap Snapshot.
Let’s be honest. If you’re still relying solely on the spot market to run your business in 2025, you’re not building a business—you’re gambling with your livelihood. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The spot market load board is not a business model. It’s a temporary solution. In a recent Playbook Masterclass, […]
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably got one truck that’s doing okay—or maybe just surviving—and you’re thinking: “Is it time to grow?” “Should I get another truck?” “Can I afford to scale, or am I just chasing the dream too fast?” Let me say this up front. The worst time to add a second truck […]
Your carrier packet is the first handshake for potential clients. Here are some tips to make sure yours wins you business.
The freight recession is dragging on and getting deeper as tariffs throw a wrench into any possible recovery. What does this mean for small carriers?
Arkansas Just Passed a Law That Will Hit Drivers for Not Speaking English — Here’s What You Need to Know If you have drivers running through Arkansas, pay attention: A new bill passed last week that’s going to fine truckers who can’t speak or read English “sufficiently.” HB1745 cleared the state House and Senate unanimously, […]
Why More Trucks Won’t Fix the Problem – And Could Actually Wreck the Spot Market A new bill just dropped in Washington – the Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act – and it’s being pitched as a solution to fix the “driver shortage,” unclog the supply chain and lower costs for American families. […]
Adam Wingfield debuts The Playbook at the 2025 Mid America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY.
In this Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit keynote address, Adam Wingfield, founder of Innovative Logistics Group, talks about what makes a successful fleet and what to consider when navigating volatile freight markets.
Steel, lumber, auto parts – key commodities from Canada are caught in the crossfire. As tariffs hit, expect higher costs, fewer loads and unpredictable freight rates.
Is Your Truck Blending In or Standing Out? Plus, A Hard Look at the Market and Roadcheck Countdown I was working with a client recently, helping them close a deal with a shipper. The shipper hit them with a simple question: “Do you offer driver assist?” Without hesitation, my client — who runs six reefers […]
MATS is less than a month away, visit The Playbook at booth 38248.
The freight market has been all over the place for small carriers, and right now, there’s a feeling that something’s about to give. The big question is whether this shift is going to work in your favor or just keep the squeeze on spot market rates a little longer. Truckload demand (the need for your […]
Market Update: Spot Rates Still Dropping — Where Can You Find the Money? If you’ve been feeling like rates just aren’t moving in the right direction, you’re not alone. This map breaks down spot rate changes over the past four days, and the message is clear: Most outbound lanes across the country are still seeing […]
Updates to the CVSA Out-of-Service criteria have been released, set to take effect April 1.
Welcome to the first edition of The Playbook. Welcome to the very first edition of The Playbook, a weekly newsletter dedicated to small carriers and fleets. My name is Adam Wingfield, founder of Innovative Logistics Group – consider me your new mentor. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 24-plus years in the trucking […]
FreightWaves and Innovative Logistics Group have teamed up to create The Playbook, a one-stop shop of resources for the small carrier and owner-operator who want to level up their business.
I’m Rob Carpenter, adviser, professional driver and your trusted voice for all things trucking. Welcome to The Playbook, a place for you to find your success in trucking.
It’s time to change the way small fleets and owner-operators think about business. I’m Adam Wingfield, and change is coming with The Playbook.
