Bruce Outridge

It’s Never Too Late for Education

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Bruce

Last night I attended a very special ceremony, a place where people were recognized for their achievements, where the environment was positive, and people cheered each other on for overcoming their obstacles. It had been a long road for many and as I sat there in the audience listening to speeches and watching people cross the stage it brought back memories of where I was years ago, and how far you can come in life with hard work and dedication. The ceremony was a high school graduation. My son and his girlfriend both were graduating and it was an accomplishment for both that marks the era of growth and moving forward. They are only a few years behind the norm but there was a variety of people that crossed the stage, some had been trying to achieve that goal for over 30 years, others were young mothers that have made it through hard times, and some were from other countries that moved here and were able to finish an education that is normally frowned upon. It didn’t matter if you were twenty or sixty last night, you were cheered on for your accomplishment by family, friends, and teachers. I was in that boat myself and today life is good with many things in the wings to help take life higher. I wonder where those people will be in a few years if they dedicate themselves to the process of learning and achieving their dreams.

Business Seminar — Outridge Consulting Services

Some times it takes maturity to become a good learner and realize that education is everywhere. I love learning today, but it took me a while to understand how I learned. I find I learn best from reading, I like different view points on the same subject to help me make an informed decision. You can’t get much of that through school because often the viewpoint is given to you instead from the instructor’s opinion. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a young person looking for a career, or someone wanting to get your high school diploma figuring out the way that you like to learn, what interests you, and how you can best get that information can go a long way to getting you to the career of your dreams. No matter how young or old you are, it is never too late to start the education road. It will never be a waste of time even if you are 80.

I was proud of everyone last night, you can tell that many of them had gone over huge obstacles to achieve their goal. I ask you, what are you doing to achieve your goals? If the answer is nothing then you may want get started before you are left behind, it’s never too late to get started.

About the Author

Bruce Outridge is an author, artist, consultant, and speaker. For more information visit his website at www.outridge.ca

Stay Focused with the Perks of Entrepreneurship

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Bruce

Create a Team with Respect

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Bruce

3 Comments

In the Province of Ontario this week there is a giant inspection blitz for the transportation industry. The blitz happens every year at the same time and is heavily advertised. You would wonder why a safety blitz would be so heavily promoted but many think it is to show the public that the Ministry is on their game and watching the safety of trucks on the road. To show awareness and educate the public many industry professionals are allowed to go to the scales and watch the inspections in action. After 25 years of driving trucks and being through many inspections I have seen the action first hand. This year however I felt it was time to attend the show since I have been off the road for a while.

The inspections themselves were basic but thorough and many times the drivers pulled in were pulled in for an inspection because they didn’t do a basic walk around or notice problems with their truck. For instance one driver had a piece of wood hanging off the back of his truck from his load of scrap material. More on that in another article, but the thing that struck me the most was the respect.

The inspectors and safety people in the industry have name for being against the drivers and being out to get them, but that is not what I found. Watching the action with a few other observers I found that the inspectors in the station treated the drivers with respect. None of them showed attitude or made the driver feel bad. They took the time to educate the driver on what they found and why they had problems. In talking with one driver he was happy for the experience as he mentioned it keeps the company on their toes to make sure they equipment is maintained and safe. He was very pleasant to the inspector and even had her laughing with his quick sense of humour. In the past I have found the same thing during inspections so I know this wasn’t just an act for the audience. I think we need to show respect to everyone in all industries. Many people are just trying to make a living and do an honest days work. So whatever industry you may happen to work in show other people the respect they deserve. People are human, we all make mistakes, but for the most part we are honest and hardworking. Showing and earning respect is the best way to create a great working environment.

About the Author

Bruce Outridge is a business and leadership consultant and author of the book Running By The Mile. For more information on Bruce and his business please visit his website at www.outridge.ca

Useful Apps for Your Small Business

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Bruce

Succeeding in Business Starts with Common Sense!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Bruce

1 Comment

It is not enough that there is senseless crap going on in this world, I don’t believe in Armageddon or any of that the world will end stuff but some days I read the paper or watch the news and wonder if maybe the “End of Lifers” could be right. That is why I feel it is up to each of us to pick up the ball however we can to make the world a better place. To me that means having a good personal life, enjoying my hobbies, and creating a successful business doing the things I love. I think that is true for most people and depending on your circumstances anything can be attained. That track however, comes with some common sense thinking and although it can be a one track mind type of thinking as to I will do what I please to be successful in business it also takes working with other people. I might choose that everything I do is for me but in reality if I don’t make my clients happy my track may be stopped with a giant road block. This doesn’t matter how small or large your business is you have to work with others.

The other day I was at a client’s location and a driver for that company went to pick up a load at a client site and didn’t bother to take an empty trailer with him, apparently a normal procedure for this customer. With a distance of 60 kilometres and a now frustrated customer the dispatch department had to frantically arrange new plans due to the lack of diligence by this driver. When questioned about the incident the driver had a lame excuse that could be solved with a bit of common sense. He got off with a warning and slap on the wrist but if it had been me I would have charged him with dollars to his pocketbook, that would have woken him up. When you don’t use common sense in your business you are dropping the ball. You are making others make up for your mistakes and your business will get a name of being the type of company that drops the ball. Due to that one area of negligence, this owner operator made a stupid mistake, the company looked stupid in the eyes of their client, their client is wondering what the company is thinking, and the costs of rectifying the situation are not only monetary but the relationship with the client has to be repaired. All because someone didn’t use some common sense early in the morning.

The next time you think I should do that but I can’t be bothered you should rethink your decision. Who are you hurting by not doing that task, what kind of pressure are you putting on the rest of your team, how will you look in the client’s eyes? Taking that extra step will help you stay on track for that successful career we talked about earlier, step up or step out!

Bruce Outridge

About the Author

Bruce Outridge is a business and leadership consultant specializing in the transportation industry. For more information on his work please visit his website at www.outridge.ca