Trucking dispatching is a central role for a large network of professionals. They form the communicative liaison that allows the transportation and delivery industries to run smoothly. Whether helping to plan jobs, or reacting to last minute changes and problems, it is the dispatcher's job to make sure everyone else is on board.
Because of this role, the dispatcher has to be a people-person, and more importantly, know how to deal with different kinds of people, understand their concerns, and speak in their language. The most common professionals the dispatcher works with are:
- Truckers
- Clients
- Fleet Managers
- Servicemen
- Authorities
Each person working in one of these fields expects and deserves a dispatcher who is always ready to communicate and help them to do their jobs better. This is why dispatchers must have the necessary skills to know these different types and be ready work with them on their levels.
Truckers
A trucker's main concern is being focused on the road. They need a dispatcher who can communicate clearly and effectively. At times, truckers may need information quickly, for example if their planned route is unexpectedly interrupted, and so the dispatcher needs to be able to make quick decisions for the trucker. Truckers also spend a lot of time alone, and so it helps if the dispatcher is able to lend a friendly and familiar ear from time to time.
Clients
In dispatcher training, one learns all about the different types of jobs for different types of clients, whether they are sending a load or expecting one. A dispatcher must be professional and courteous when dealing with clients, and know how to be responsive to their needs. Clients might also be less familiar with the technical details of trucking, and a dispatcher should be patient and ready to explain to them what they should expect.
Fleet Managers and Servicemen
These professionals have a special technical language and jargon of their own, which the dispatcher should be somewhat familiar with. Taking some standard automotive service or fleet management courses alongside dispatcher courses is a good way to ease the exchange of information between these two professions.
Authorities
A dispatcher often has to deal with many different types of authorities, like local highway police, international border authorities, and even safety and compliance authorities depending on the job. For this, the dispatcher should have a level of respect and courtesy. It may be the case that problems with the authorities can disrupt the dispatcher's job, but the dispatcher should have patience and understanding in these cases, in order not to further jeopardize the deliveries.
If you are they type of person that knows how to adjust your style of communication depending on whom you speak with, then you might just make an ideal trucking dispatcher.
