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.
-
Pilot Flying J President Departs Company
Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood departed from the company May 19, according to the Nashville attorney who represents Pilot Flying J. In an email issued to staff, CEO Jimmy Haslam thanked Hazelwood for his many years of service, according to published reports. Click here to read more > -
What Great Leaders Never Do
While the list of characteristics necessary to become a great leader can sometimes seem limitless, there are also traits that one should avoid when seeking leadership success. Certain activities can hamper leadership efficiency and waste valuable time. The best CEOs do not: wear too many hats, attempt to make perfect decisions, answer every question, attend all meetings and limit communication. Click here to read more > -
Grease Theft Growing Concern
Used cooking oil is becoming a common target for criminals looking for easy money. Thieves are targeting restaurant grease tanks late at night, when many businesses are closed or security is light. An evening of grease theft can easily yield $500 or more. The illegal business has a low cost of entry as a used tank and trash pump can cost as little as $125. The price of used cooking oils has tripled since it has become a source of biodiesel. Click here to read more > -
DOT Secretary Attempts to Downplay Tolls
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx attempted to downplay the Obama Administration's proposal to toll existing interstates testifying that tolls are not the solution to the "urgent problem" of the Highway Trust Fund. Despite claims by the Secretary that the bill's tolling language was limited, the President's proposed transportation legislation would open tolling to all states, subject to approval from the Secretary of Transportation, to fund highway reconstruction as well as other non-highway transportation spending. Click here to read more > - Nine Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read
Most small business leaders are action-oriented people who tend to find idle time difficult. One CEO thinks that idle time spent reading should be required of most leaders. Audiobooks.com CEO Sanjay Singhai has compiled his list of the top nine books that are essential to business leaders. Click here to read more > - TA Offers CNG/LNG Service at Five Locations
TravelCenter of America has retrofitted five of its TA and Petro Stopping Center locations to provide mechanical services to both CNG and LNG-powered vehicles. Three shops are located in Pennsylvania and the others are in California and Texas. TravelCenters also announced the opening of its first two LNG fueling lanes at its Petro location in Ontario. Click here to read more > - Shippers Encourage Fleets to Shift to Natural Gas
Many large shippers have established sustainability goals including reductions in CO2 emissions. Consequently, some shippers are making a concerted effort to move freight to rail as a means of lowering emissions in their supply chains. Others are offering fleets incentives to switch to natural gas powered vehicles. Shippers are providing larger, longer term contracts and rate premiums to entice carriers to become more emissions-friendly. Click here to read more > - Stability Returns to Crude Markets
Despite a series of world events that historically would have caused crude oil price increases, the market has been relatively stable over the past months. Unrest in Nigeria and Ukraine, the sanctions imposed on Iran, and the flat-lining of Venezuela's oil production would normally cause a spike in world crude oil prices. The markets, however, were not impacted this year. And the reason is that the US and Canada have replaced any barrels that have been lost by geopolitical unrest. Click here to read more > - Pilot Opens in Texas
Pilot Flying J opened a new Pilot Travel Center in Big Lake, Texas. The unit is located on Highway 67 between San Angelo and Fort Stockton. The new facility houses a Taco Bell, a Cinnabon and three private showers. Six diesel refueling lanes, 12 gasoline fueling positions, 55 truck parking spaces and 51 automobile spaces complement the new building. This is the company's 48th location in Texas. Click here to read more > - Natural Gas Makes Inroads in Long-Haul Trucking
The use of natural gas in long-haul trucks could soon ramp up, according to industry officials who spoke at the recent ACT Expo in Long Beach, Calif. The successful introduction of the new 12-Liter NG engine by Cummins Westport is one of the reasons behind the optimism. "I think we could hit 10 percent (of heavy duty truck sales) in two to three years,” Kenworth national sales manager Andy Douglas said. 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.
Subscribe to Updates
NATSO provides a breadth of information created to strengthen travel plazas’ ability to meet the needs of the travelling public in an age of disruption. This includes knowledge filled blog posts, articles and publications. If you would like to receive a digest of blog post and articles directly in your inbox, please provide your name, email and the frequency of the updates you want to receive the email digest.
