On Tuesday, July 9, we hosted an engaging episode of our Product Empowerment Series, where we share with customers how they can use DriverReach to improve their recruiting, and hear from customers who are using the platform to do just that! This month features Jason Douglass, the Director of Recruiting and Retention at Stokes Trucking. Our conversation provided invaluable insights into how DriverReach has revolutionized its recruitment and retention processes, and how Jason uses a driver-centered approach that results in low turnover and happy employees.
Highlights from Our Featured Speaker: Jason Douglass
Jason Douglass has been at the forefront of Stokes Trucking's recruiting and retention efforts, utilizing innovative strategies and the DriverReach platform to streamline their operations. During the webinar, Jason shared his experiences and the impactful changes DriverReach has brought to Stokes Trucking.
Key Takeaways
In this engaging session, Jason covered:
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- His Role at Stokes Trucking: Jason provided insights into his responsibilities and the challenges he faces in recruiting and retaining top talent.
- Best Practices with DriverReach: He shared how he leverages the DriverReach platform to enhance communication with drivers and streamline the hiring process.
- Success Stories: Jason highlighted specific examples of how DriverReach revolutionized their recruitment and retention processes, leading to improved outcomes for Stokes Trucking.
Jason's Journey and Role
Jason began the conversation by sharing his journey at Stokes Trucking, highlighting his role as the Director of Recruiting and Retention. He explained that when he joined Stokes, they had five empty trucks and a turnover problem. Jason was tasked with implementing processes to reduce turnover and improve driver engagement. He stressed the importance of retention, stating, "Great retention starts with great recruiting."
Innovative Strategies and Best Practices
Jason detailed several innovative strategies he has implemented at Stokes Trucking:
🐶 Pet Policy: One of Jason's first initiatives was introducing a pet policy, which has been well-received and positively impacted driver satisfaction.
🆘 Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Jason implemented an EAP, offering licensed therapy sessions to drivers for various personal and professional issues. This program has been instrumental in supporting drivers through challenging times.
🌱 Cultural Enhancements: Jason worked on enhancing the company culture, ensuring that drivers felt valued and connected. He emphasized the importance of a welcoming and inclusive environment where drivers are treated with respect and empathy.
Using DriverReach for Recruitment and Retention
Jason shared his success in partnering with DriverReach to streamline their processes and improve retention rates. He shared that their current turnover rate is an impressive 5.8%. He explained how DriverReach helps keep leads engaged:
"With other ATSs I've used... the ones that you get even direct [leads], they're coming in and they're right backed out. So one thing that I owe a lot of credit to DriverReach for is they are protecting, they shut that door. So once your drivers come in, that door is shut and your drivers remain in your ATS, and then you get to protect them through compliance and the other stuff that you've added to that."
Leveraging Technology and Personal Connections
Jason discussed how DriverReach's technology aids in maintaining accurate data and ensuring compliance. He highlighted the "paper airplane" feature, which allows for seamless updates and approvals of driver applications:
"I absolutely love it when a driver... only got this far. I need to go back a little more. Well, you know what? Let me do it while I'm on the phone with you and going to edit their jobs. I can add in what they needed to add in, and then the little arrow, airplane, whatever you want to call it, sends it to them. It sends them a text message and an email and they can approve it and it comes right back!"
Jason also shared how he maintains personal connections with drivers, ensuring they feel valued and supported. He mentioned sending personalized birthday cards with Amazon gift cards, which has been particularly appreciated by drivers.
How DriverReach Keeps Leads Engaged
One of the standout moments in the webinar was when Jason discussed how DriverReach helps keep leads engaged and retained within their system. He explained:
"ATS for a recruiter is your foundation, right? ... All your leads come down, your leads are being filtered in whether you're doing multi-carrier leads ... one thing that I owe a lot of credit to DriverReach for is they are protecting, they shut that door. So once your drivers come in, that door is shut and your drivers remain in your ATS, and then you get to protect them through compliance and the other stuff that you've added to that."
Jason emphasized how crucial it is to maintain a high retention rate and how DriverReach's platform plays a vital role in achieving that. Catch the video here of Jason:
The Power of Personal Connections
Jason, Trip Lane (DriverReach's Onboarding Guru), and Sam Bloomquist (DriverReach's CTO) explored the power of personal connections, creative policies, and thoughtful engagement strategies that have kept drivers happy and committed at Stokes Trucking.
Missed the Live Session?
If you missed the live session, you can still benefit from the valuable insights shared during the webinar by talking live with one of our recruiting and retention strategists.
Experience DriverReach in Action
Ready to see how DriverReach can transform your recruitment and retention processes?
Our Product Empowerment Series continues to bring real-world success stories and practical strategies to help carriers excel in recruitment, compliance, and retention efforts. We hope those who attended the live session found the webinar with Jason Douglass insightful and empowering, and we look forward to hearing from more customers who have found success through DriverReach!
About DriverReach
DriverReach is a cutting-edge recruiting and compliance management system designed for the transportation industry. By streamlining the recruiting process and simplifying compliance management, DriverReach helps companies quickly find qualified drivers while ensuring regulatory compliance, thereby improving operational efficiency and safety.
