Unmasking the Benchmark

A VP of operations and a senior analyst discuss surprising competitor metrics in a Denver office.

Unmasking the Benchmark

Listen and choose the right answer

How does Ben describe their company's driver turnover compared to the industry?

• It is much worse than the industry average.
• It is nowhere near as bad as the industry average.
• It is twice the size of the national average.

What does Ben note about their cost per mile benchmark?

• It is every bit as high as the national giants.
• It is lower than most regional competitors.
• It is a far cry from what they expected.

What secret did Laura uncover about Apex Freight's impressive metrics?

• They receive massive government subsidies.
• They exclude part-time drivers from their turnover metrics.
• They operate in fewer states than Ben and Laura.

What is Ben's primary concern before presenting the data to the board?

• That the board will think they are a niche player.
• That they will spend too much money on retention bonuses.
• That they might base strategic changes on misleading accounting.

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Ben: Laura, I've just finished reviewing the latest ____ study from the Chicago transport institute, and some of these numbers don't make sense.
• Laura: Which part caught your eye, Ben? I know we've been struggling to ____ on our operating ratio.
• Ben: Well, look at our ____ in this report. It's nowhere near as bad as the industry's average!
• Ben: True, but check out our ____ next. It's every bit as high as the national giants operating in our lanes.
• Laura: It turns out their ____ competitor status is achieved simply by not counting part-time drivers in their turnover metrics.

Sources: photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels