What You Missed in the Biz Brief This Week: February 12, 2014

In today’s information-overloaded business world, we often find ourselves deluged with literally hundreds of news items from dozens of sources. While it is likely impossible to read every article and remain productive, by not doing so we risk missing the one article that could change a key business practice or thought process. And that is where the NATSO Foundation’s newest publication, Biz Brief, provides assistance! The NATSO Foundation's Biz Brief is a daily collection of the most relevant business intelligence for truckstop and travel plaza operators.
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In today’s information-overloaded business world, we often find ourselves deluged with literally hundreds of news items from dozens of sources. While it is likely impossible to read every article and remain productive, by not doing so we risk missing the one article that could change a key business practice or thought process. And that is where the NATSO Foundation’s newest publication, Biz Brief, provides assistance! The NATSO Foundation's Biz Brief is a daily collection of the most relevant business intelligence for truckstop and travel plaza operators. 

While we think the Biz Brief is a must-read every day, if you only read ten news articles this week, these ten most-clicked Biz Brief articles are the ten to read. 

  1. Health Law Employer Mandate Delayed Until 2016 
    Late yesterday, the Obama Administration announced a two-year delay of the employer mandate portion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Medium-sized employers with 50 to 99 employees will not be required to provide insurance coverage for their workers until 2016. This marks the second delay of the ACA employer mandate in less than a year. Click here to read more >

  2. Inland Ports Plan Could Radically Alter Truck Corridors 
    The Georgia Ports Authority recently introduced a plan to handle bigger ocean-going vessels and a significant increase in freight. The plan, titled Network Georgia, divides the Southeastern United States into six distinct zones. Each zone will have at least one inland port, which will serve as a hub to gather rail freight. The network, which includes Georgia, and portions of Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, could significantly change truck traffic corridors in the region. Click here to read more >

  3. Severe Diesel Outages in Pennsylvania and Ohio 
    Diesel fuel marketers in western Pennsylvania up through eastern and northern Ohio are struggling with acute diesel supply shortages, including some terminals that are out of product, OPIS has reported. The severe fuel shortage has some truckstops expressing concern that they may soon run of fuel. Click here to read more >

  4. House T&I Chairman Rejects Fuel Tax Increase 
    House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said he wants a five to six-year highway bill, but he rejects higher fuel taxes as a means of paying for it. Click here to read more >

  5. Safety Procedures Key in Shop Operations 
    A judge in Whitehorse, Yukon, found a trucking company and a tire shop owner guilty of having insufficient safety training after an air technician was crushed under a truck while retrieving tools. Click here to read more >

  6. DEF Retail Pricing Remains Stable 
    Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) at the retail level is maintaining stable pricing at $2.79 per gallon, according to Integer Research's DEF Tracker. The national average price has remained unchanged for the past 14 months. Average tote refill prices increased by 7 cents. The research firm reported that truckload deliveries saw significant price increases, but the company did not further quantify the increases. Click here to read more >

  7. Pilot Flying J Opens 42nd Texas Location 
    Pilot Flying J announced the opening of its George West, Texas, Flying J Travel Plaza. The facility, which is located at Exit 56 on Interstate 37, features eight diesel lanes, 12 gasoline lanes, seven private showers and 90 truck parking spaces. In addition to its proprietary deli and pizza offering, the site also houses a McDonald's Restaurant. The location is the company's 42nd in Texas Click here to read more >

  8. Soup and Salad Still a Menu Favorite 
    Soup and salad remain favorite entree items for most Americans, according to a recent survey by Technomic. But consumers expect variety, making it vital that restaurant operators emphasize uniqueness to keep soup and salad lovers coming through the door. Click here to read more >

  9. Rules of Effective Storytelling 
    Great leaders know the advantages of great storytelling. But effective storytelling has some basic rules: keep it simple; make the story relate to the audience; share a part of yourself; and share your emotions. Click here to read more >

  10. T. Boone Pickens Challenges President to Boost Natural Gas in Trucking 
    T. Boone Pickens, a developer of natural gas filling stations across the U.S., is challenging President Obama to grow the number of heavy trucks burning natural gas. Currently, just 1,700 Class 8 vehicles operate on natural gas compared with 3.2 million that are powered by diesel. Click here to read more >

     

I might be biased, but I think if you aren't receiving Biz Brief, you are missing out! Not a subscriber? Be sure to submit a request to be added to the email list. Already receive it and have feedback for me? Be sure to email me at editor@natso.com.

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