What You Missed in the Biz Brief This Week: October 2, 2013

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. You Cannot Bee Serious!
   More than 1 million bees paid an unwelcome visit to the Love's Travel Stop in Lebanon, Pa. recently. The honey bees escaped from a truck that was transporting them. Numerous employees were stung and the beekeeper who was called in to gather the bees up was stung more than 40 times. Cultures will be taken from the captured colonies to assure that they are not Africanized bees. Click here to read more >
   
   
2. Sen. Boxer Seeks Wholesale Oil Tax
   Sen. Barbara Boxer, chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), is suggesting to replace the current federal motor fuels tax with a fee to be paid by oil wholesalers. The federal gas tax generates about $35 billion per year. The most recently approved surface transportation bill (MAP-21) authorizes spending of $54 billion per year causing a $19-$20 billion shortfall. Sen. Boxer is using Virginia's recent transportation tax legislation as a design for her thoughts. Click here to read more >
   
   
3. Fuel Costs Not Among Truckers' Top Challenges
   A recent Inbound Logistics trucking market research survey discovered that fuel costs were not among the industry's top three challenges. Driver-related costs, compliance and regulations and rising equipment costs are the things that concern trucking company executives the most. Half of shipper respondents indicated that they had experienced a shortage of truck capacity in the past year. Click here to read more >

4. Leadership Lessons From a Hero
   On Aug. 22, Antoinette Tuff, a bookkeeper at the Discovery Learning Academy in Decatur, Ga., found herself face-to-face with a gunman carrying an AK-47. The man had 500 rounds of ammunition and planned to perform a school massacre. While communicating with a police dispatcher on 911, Tuff displayed remarkable attributes that would serve every business leader well. Three traits allowed her to affect the outcome of that situation: She was anchored, compassionate and transcendent. Click here to read more >

5. Heavyweight Champ Takes on CRST
   Former heavyweight champion, Riddick Bowe, is ready for his next challenge: truck driving. Bowe has joined CRST and will navigate through the company's CDL training program. The boxer last fought competitively in 2008, which was his third adventure with un-retirement. Bowe is comfortable around vehicles as he once owned 26 cars including a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley. Click here to read more >
   
   
6. Texas Truckstop Receives Zoning Approval
   The Kyle Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a change to accommodate a truckstop development on a site currently zoned agricultural. The property is located off I-35 outside of Austin, Texas. The development is owned by PGI Investment LLC and will include a truckstop, convenience store, retail sites, truck service center and apartment complex. Click here to read more >
   
   
7. 10 Mandatory Benefits in 2014 Healthcare
   Effective Jan. 1, 2014, all healthcare insurance plans must carry 10 essential health benefits. Maternity benefits, preventive and wellness services, pediatric services, rehabilitative services and devices, and mental health benefits are several of the required aspects of ACA-approved policies. Many of these services have not been offered in individual policies or mini-med insurance plans. Click here to read more >
   
   
8. Love's Illinois Location to Open at Year's End
   Construction on the Love's Travel Stop in Oglesby, Ill., is slightly behind schedule and the company has moved its opening date from this Thanksgiving back to Jan. 9, 2014. The location, which will serve traffic on I-39, includes a 6,500-square-foot tire repair center and parking for 90 to 100 trucks. The facility will employ 60 people. Click here to read more >
   
   
9. Multitasking Is Overrated
   Most of us engage in multitasking. Some of us experience a steady diet of it. While we often feel extremely productive as a result of our multitasking skills, we may actually be experiencing the opposite. Multitasking is frequently necessary but it may not lead to the excellence that most of us desire. So, how does one unitask and get everything done? Concentration and focus are the keys. Click here to read more >
   
   
10. Dueling Holiday Projections
    Two recently released surveys provide contrary views of the upcoming holiday retail season. Job search firm Snagajob found that 69 percent of surveyed managers expect increased hiring activities compared with 63 percent of respondents in 2012. Sixty-nine percent is the highest level of positive responses received since the survey began in 2008. National outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. found that managers project 2013 holiday sales may not exceed 2012. While Walmart has announced an increase in hiring from 2012 levels, Target plans a 20 percent hiring decline from last year. 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.