From Surviving to Thriving: Taking Control of Your Business Today!

Brian Dickson

Unlock Your Potential: Shift from Being a Business Operator to a Visionary Leader!

As the owner or leader of your business, are you thriving or just surviving?


As Brandon Dawson, CEO and co-founder of Cardone Ventures, put it, "Are you enslaved to your business, or are you a business leader who makes your business do its job for you?"


I understand this challenge firsthand.


Closely managing driver labor costs was a key focus during a recent job assignment.


Auditing and correctly coding this expense was crucial.


The company's pay practices were complex, and errors could lead to overpayment. 


Therefore, as the GM, I took on payroll duties because I was familiar with our pay rules and coding and could ensure that it was audited closely at the same time.


While all that was true, it distracted me from more critical tasks like growing the business.


Over the years, I have used the metaphor of a ship's bridge and its captain to illustrate an important point to my teams.


The bridge is positioned high on the vessel to give the captain a clear view of the ocean ahead. 


However, if the captain spends most of their time below deck in the engine room, they cannot see any hazards the ship may be about to encounter and change course.


I then set a clear expectation: they must lead and manage their departments instead of allowing the work to manage them. 


Yet, I violated this principle by doing payroll instead of delegating it to another team member.


If you're like many business owners and leaders, you often find the most qualified person to do a task at the lowest possible salary, and that person is usually you. 


After all, who better to trust to do the job?


That may be necessary for a little while, but if this is your current situation, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on why you started your business in the first place. 


Did you launch your company to become mired in the day-to-day, or did you aim to build a vibrant and dynamic organization that positively impacts the lives of your customers, employees, yourself, and your family?


If you work in your business rather than on it, I can help you regain focus. 


I can assess your business in two ways: either through a targeted evaluation to identify valuable opportunities or a comprehensive review to uncover growth potential. 


Then, together, we can set a new course that allows you to lead and manage your organization rather than it managing you.


Contact us today, to get started digging out.

By Brian Dickson April 10, 2025
Hiring me as your consultant is more than just a decision; it's an opportunity to unlock the full potential of your operations and elevate your transportation business to new heights. Here's why I am the right choice: 1. Expertise in Operational Excellence: With nearly thirty years of experience in management and operations, I can identify inefficiencies and develop strategies that enhance productivity and significantly boost profitability. My analytical skills will streamline your processes, leading to measurable results. 2. Proven Results-Driven Approach: My track record speaks for itself. I have consistently delivered considerable financial improvements, including increased revenue and reduced operating costs. My impact has been transformative, from the complexities of large-scale Fortune 50 operations like Walt Disney World to the nuances of smaller ground transportation companies. Imagine achieving similar success for your business. 3. Commitment to Safety and Exceptional Customer Experience: I understand that lasting success is built on a foundation of safety and customer satisfaction. My strong commitment to these principles ensures operational success and fosters long-term loyalty from your clients. We can create an environment where customers feel valued and safe, driving repeat business and referrals. 4. Strategic Planning for Long-Term Success: I excel at crafting and executing strategic initiatives that align with your organizational goals. Whether you aim to introduce new services or refine existing processes, my strategic mindset will ensure that your business anticipates market changes rather than merely reacting to them. 5. Customized Solutions for Your Needs: Every organization faces unique challenges. That's why I take the time to understand your needs and tailor my consulting services accordingly. The goal is to ensure sustainable and impactful outcomes that resonate with your vision and objectives. By collaborating with me, you are not just hiring a consultant; you are gaining a dedicated partner who prioritizes your operational goals and enhances your overall organizational performance. Together, we can chart a course for success that benefits your business now and in the future. Let's make it happen!
By Brian Dickson February 3, 2025
Recently, I have been asked, "What does a business assessment from Bus Business Consultants involve?" I want to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation. A business assessment is a thorough evaluation of your organization to identify opportunities for improvement and growth. My approach is holistic, carefully analyzing various aspects of the business to pinpoint areas that need support and to develop strategic solutions that promote sustainable development, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve operational efficiency. This evaluation covers several critical components of a company, helping us identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—commonly known as a SWOT analysis. The assessment process typically includes a detailed examination of financial performance, operational effectiveness, employee productivity, market positioning, and compliance with regulatory standards. The primary goal of a business assessment is to provide valuable insights that empower business leaders to make informed decisions. Businesses can thrive in a competitive landscape by improving processes and practices, enhancing profitability, and ensuring alignment with strategic goals. The assessment can cover various vital areas, including accounting practices, human resources policies, maintenance protocols, safety procedures, and sales strategies. Ultimately, this comprehensive evaluation results in actionable recommendations that facilitate meaningful improvements and long-term success. Conducting a business assessment requires immersing myself in your operation for several days. This allows me to experience it as a customer and an employee, observe the facilities and fleet, and meet key team members. Larger or multi-site operations will require additional time. Feel free to reach out if you'd like additional information or to schedule a consultation.
By Brian Dickson January 29, 2025
A Substack community dedicated to the ground passenger transportation industry. 
By Brian Dickson January 6, 2025
Have you ever seen Tony D'Amato's (played by Al Pacino) famous Inches speech in the pro football epic Any Given Sunday? If you haven't, it is available on YouTube and is worth a few minutes, as it might be one of the greatest motivational speeches. While the entire speech was inspiring, these words resonated with me: "Life's a game of inches. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They're in every break of the game, every minute, every second. We fight for that inch. We tear ourselves and everyone around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch. Because we know when we add up all those inches thats gonna make the difference between winning and losing." - Tony D'Amato Coach's words have constantly reminded me of what it takes to be profitable in the ground transportation industry—so much so that I've used this speech but asked my teams to replace the word inch with dollars. Think about that for a moment. The ground transportation industry is a game of dollars. The dollars we need are everywhere around us. They're in every break of our operations, every minute, every second...While I'm not encouraging anyone to tear themselves and everyone else around them to pieces for those dollars, I am encouraging you to pursue profitability relentlessly in your decision-making. If you are unsure how to do that or where to start, I can help.  Whether it's fostering growth or expansion, identifying and implementing organizational priorities, evaluating and improving your customer experience, enhancing your labor efficiency, assessing your workplace culture, developing and implementing your pricing strategy, or aligning your organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities, I can help you identify and harvest those inches (dollars) that are all around you, because we know when we add up all those inches (dollars), that's gonna make the difference between winning and losing money this year. Schedule a no-obligation consultation today using the button above to get started finding those dollars.