Is It Time to Expand Your Logistics Team?
Victoria Sostre
Moving Cargo Forward: Faster, Smarter, and More Reliable for Shippers
Recognizing the Right Time to Grow Your Team
Recently, I was running through some of the most stressful times of my career. I was early on in my logistics career, had a huge territory. I was performing well and still felt like I was sinking. My mentor(who is a small business owner) replied "If I was your manager, I would've hired you help." This exchange has been at the back of my mind for weeks. At the time, silly me, didn't realize I needed help. And all the years I look back on that time of my life, it still hadn't dawned on me that something as simple as help could've changed the course of my career, or territory or life.
Seasoned business owners, or reps might be reading this and think well yeah, if I could afford help I'd get it; I just work for this company. I don't decide if my team grows or not; or maybe something similar to "That's so obvious it's not even worth mentioning." As I head into a decade of service in an industry I love, I share what works, making zero assumptions.
For the first time in a long time, I am excited to grow a book of business that is bursting at the seams. Admittedly, I love having a team and I want to grow that team full of more professionals that have the same hunger and desire to grow, excel, and innovate. This means I should be on the lookout for growing pains that may indicate it's time to grow my team.
How will I know when it’s the right time to expand? Here are the telltale signs I'll be on the lookout for:
You’re Turning Away Business
If you’re consistently saying “no” to new clients or struggling to meet the needs of your existing ones, it’s a clear indicator that you’ve outgrown your current capacity. Adding team members can help you scale without sacrificing service quality.
Your Workload Feels Unsustainable
Overwhelmed by emails, calls, and negotiations? If you’re spending more time managing day-to-day operations than focusing on strategy and growth, it’s time to delegate tasks like:
Client Relationships Are Suffering
If your responsiveness or service levels have declined due to workload, it’s time to bring in support. Maintaining excellent service is crucial for retaining clients and securing referrals.
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You’re Missing Opportunities for Growth
When you’re too busy to explore new markets, develop innovative solutions, or improve processes, your business growth stalls. Expanding your team can free you to focus on strategic priorities.
You See a Need for Specialized Skills
As the logistics landscape evolves, specialized skills like sustainability expertise, data analysis, or knowledge of new technology (e.g., freight platforms or TMS) might be necessary to stay competitive. Hiring specialists can strengthen your offerings.
Steps to Scale Smartly:
Growing your logistics team is an in the future. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it may be time to take the leap.
Need guidance on scaling your team? There are many options that exist, regardless of budget. Let me help! Contact me today to chat about how I, as a freight broker, can be an extension of your team.
Supporting logistics professionals in achieving sustainable growth.
Would you like tips on specific roles to hire first or tools to support a growing team?