The Winning Drive

Sometimes things can get tough, and it's helpful to call on a positive attitude, especially when you don't feel like it. A positive outlook is associated with better health and creativity. In this episode, you'll discover how to foster a positive attitude in just a few minutes. You'll also get an effective way on how to create a positive mindset with ease! You don't need any special tools or tricks- all it takes is your willingness and an open mind.  Enjoy this follow-up interview with the new GM for the Southeast ROC, Jorge Pradilla.

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and it's a great sport for learning about leadership, communication, and building relationships. Enter the Director of Sales and Operations for the Southeast ROC, Jorge Pradilla, who knows a lot about leadership and soccer...as he led the NCAA in both goals and points during his college playing days. He also has a BIG success strategy that can help you achieve more success at Parkland. You'll learn how to stay focused on your goal even if things don't go your way at first.

A bad day for a customer can turn into a really bad week for the company. Often this could have been prevented or resolved with a little time and attention upfront. In this episode, you'll discover an easy way you can win over any difficult customer and make their day better without much effort on your part. Take a page from the playbook of Bennie Jetton, Store Manager of Parkland USA, Jamestown, North Dakota Store 28.

The path to job promotion doesn't always run straight, and it's important to be prepared for twists and turns along the way. It's often helpful to learn from other leaders in the company to understand how they did it. Of course, it's also helpful to work at a terrific, growing company like Parkland too! Enjoy this engaging interview with Bennie Jetton, Parkland USA Store Manager of Jamestown, North Dakota Store 28, as he discusses his fast rise from parking lot attendant to store manager and what he learned along the way.

At work, it's the little things that count, and being kind to people at work is one of them. It's not just good karma--it has some benefits too! You might think real life isn't like school where people are always telling us "be nice!" But when we do something thoughtful for someone else at work, they'll remember it and maybe even pass on the favor or give us an opportunity in return because our act of kindness made them feel good. So if you want to be a successful professional, take a page from, Lewis Haag, Director of Supply, who shows you how being kind at work can lead to success. Enjoy!

Having a vision just isn't for people like Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, and George Lucas. It's for you too!  Your vision for your life and career at Parkland is important, and it's also vital to have a plan to make it real. Lewis Haag, Director of Supply at Parkland, has a helpful strategy for you today as he shares the big vision he created for his life, and how he achieved it!

Want to grow your career at Parkland? If you're a YES, then this episode is for you. It's too easy to get so caught up in your daily responsibilities that you forget to consider the bigger picture. That's where these important insights from Laura Varn, Vice President of People & Culture and Communication, comes in. Don't miss this open and honest conversion including the origin of The Winning Drive podcast and her passion for Jimmy Buffet!

What's the single most important skill you need to succeed today at Parkland? It's not a skill that's taught in school, but it does have something to do with your brain. Success in today's world takes more than just talent. It also takes a skill that many people forget to foster. Laura Varn, Vice President of People & Culture and Communication shares the one skill you need to succeed at this company, and how it can help you excel in your career!

How often do you take the time to think about your professional growth? For many employees, it's just an afterthought but this question turns out to be important.   Jeff Bush, VP of Business Development for Parkland USA, believes that growth and ownership are mindsets that can be developed. You'll discover his vision for growth and how Parkland employees can benefit. Plus you'll also learn three success strategies that will help you flourish in your career at Parkland.

If you could have any mentor, who would it be? For most people they've never considered this question, or maybe even having a mentor in the first place. In this episode, Jeff Bush, VP of Business Development at Parkland shares his strategies for finding great mentors that can help your career grow and prosper. Plus you'll discover the big twist he experienced in his career that led to his success down the road, including his exciting new role at Parkland USA.

As a driver, you've probably been doing loading and unloading for years, but getting too complacent can have big consequences when it comes to safety, time, and money. Alvin Parker, Transportation Manager in Billings, Montana explains how a process that takes a few seconds can improve your work day and keep you and others safe.

It's essential to have a game plan to stay healthy and safe when you're on the road and that is exactly what you'll discover in this episode. You'll get the breakdown on hours of service at Parkland USA and a few colorful stories of what happens when they're ignored. You're also going to love how Alvin Parker, Transportation Manager in Billings. Montana helps his team stay safe when they bump up against their hours of service limits. Enjoy!

HAZMAT is too important to ignore and why we must continue to revisit and focus on it.  There's just too much at stake. You may know a lot about HAZMAT, but you're sure to pick up even more helpful strategies in this episode with Mark Liebersback, Regional Transportation Manager for the Northern Tier ROC. You'll also discover the most common HAZMAT mistakes made by drivers, and how to address them.

When it comes to driving, complacency is dangerous.  And, it's important to acknowledge that it's often the small things we do that make the biggest impact.  Enjoy this important episode with Mark Liebersback, Regional Transportation Manager of the Northern Tier ROC.   He shares the daily habit that saves lives and how every driver use it. --We also get into what it's like to visit the largest motorcycle rally in the world--

Great mentors and guides are important to living a great life and having an enjoyable career. Who better to deliver a dose of mentorship than a 21-year Parkland veteran? Enjoy this episode with Parkland USA Vice President of Retail, Dan Dunstan, who shares his secrets for moving up the ranks and leading the charge in the retail business. Dan's first job delivering newspapers when he'd often come home covered in snow and ice. His favorite Parkland moments in his 21-year tenure at the company. Advice for employees who'd like to make a career at Parkland.

This is the second half of the interview with Director of Customer Service, Jim Storey.  He delivers insights and some exciting news about Truefill.   Jim's favorite thing about working at Parkland. The art of the GTKY meeting. What is TrueFill and why he's so excited about its future. How it helps every employee and customer. Why it's sometimes called the “Pizza App”. How to explain TrueFill to customers. Three success tips for every employee. A twist in his career that led to his personal growth.

Enjoy this fun and engaging interview with the new Director of Customer Service, Jim Storey.   This is the first part of his interview with the second part coming out next week. You'll discover: Jim's vision for the Director of Customer Experience Role. How he and his family scientifically determined the BEST microwave popcorn. What he learned riding with a Parkland USA driver that has 40 years of experience. A call to action for every driver. What it was like trading commodities early in his career...including dog food! The greatest 2-minutes in sports. His approach to determining what customers really want. Operation BBQ Relief. The big surprise when began live streaming his music on Facebook.

Enjoy this engaging follow-up episode with VP of Finance, Eddie Ho. You'll discover how you can quickly understand the company's bottom line plus: What Eddie loves most about working at Parkland. What it means to foster an entrepreneurial spirit. Eddie's vision for Finance at Parkland, and how it benefits you. A 2-minute crash course in Finance. Three key measurements that every employee should understand. What a VP of Finance does and the positive impact his team is seeking to make. How every driver can benefit from knowing a Finance team member. Three success tips for every Parkland employee.

Eddie Ho is VP of Finance for Parkland USA.  In this interview you'll discover: His first job that included repairing and soldering computer parts. Why he decided to get into Finance. What does a VP of Finance do? Eddie's career journey through multiple countries and what he learned along the way. The advice he'd give his younger self. What he learned when he visited the “demilitarized zone”. His trip to the most fortified border in the world.   What it was like surviving a plane crash.  

Here's the second half of a terrific interview with the COO of Parkland USA, Jay Erickson. You'll discover: How a twist in his career led to his success. Why Parkland is a great place to grow. His focus to create a positive environment for all employees of acquisitions.   How to stay positive in an uncertain situation. What a Chief Operating Officer does, and why it's important. His vision for accelerating Operations within Parkland USA. The biggest potential!   The one trait he'd like to instill in every employee. What he would like his legacy to be one day. Four success strategies for every Parkland employee.

Enjoy this engaging interview with newly appointed COO of Parkland USA, Jay Erickson. This is the first of a two-part interview. Be on the lookout for part 2 next week! You'll discover: How growing up working in his parents' convenience store influences his leadership today. Jay's important advice on taking risks. How to discover your “happy place” and where he's found his. What he likes to do outside of work. How his long wrestling career (since 3 years old) taught him about leadership and teamwork.   What's he's most proud of in his career. How his team raised $1MM in 6 weeks for Disabled Veterans! His big journey from Kroger to CIO of Parkland to COO of Parkland USA. What he thinks is most special about Parkland.

This is part two of a jam-packed interview from a standout Parkland USA store manager, Curtis McBride.  Live from the C-store ConoMart in Billings, Montana!   A success tip for anyone working in a store. Why your life can change in a positive way in any moment. A hilarious customer service story and why it pays to stay calm. What might surprise you about working in a convenience store. The critical role that Curtis' store plays in the local community. Why a convenience store can be a career. Curtis' little ways to lead and boost customer service. What he likes most about his coworkers and customers. What makes Curtis so successful. His secret to retaining his team. Why he doesn't believe in “bad days”. The two places he goes for motivation when he most needs it. Why Curtis plans to work at Parkland USA until he retires. Key Quote - “I don't believe in bad days.”

This is part one of a jam-packed interview from a standout Parkland USA store manager, Curtis McBride.  Live from the C-store in Billings, Montana!   What Curtis learned about leadership as a 4-time state bass fishing champion. What a big fishing tournament taught him about success. Why he puts such such an emphasis on training his team. Advice for handling unexpected situations that happen in the store and life. What keeps customers coming back. The one thing that ALWAYS infuriates customers and how to avoid it. What you need to know about life in the convenience store.

An engaging interview with Kelly Davis, Continuous Improvement Manager, at Parkland USA. She explains the key metrics for every driver, and how you impact them. What are the metrics, and why they're ESSENTIAL. The four key metrics to know if you're “winning” your day. What happens when metrics are ignored. Takeaways: Fast, Visual Scoreboard: Gets everyone on the same page each day. SQDC Board: Safety as the Foundation Quality: Fulfillment Accuracy/Runouts: Focus on Fulfillment Accuracy Delivery and Cost: Deliveries to Plan and Retains Your next step: This is the time to communicate, bring forth issues and leave with clear actions.  “If everyone is moving forward together then success takes care of itself” – Henry Ford

This the engaging second half of the interview with 2020 Minot Extra Mile Award winner, Kirk Borud. Here's what you'll discover in this episode: Facing North Dakota Black Ice and Frozen Rain Conquering the loneliness of the road. Team shout outs! The secret to keeping a customer happy. What to do if your customer gets upset. The success routine that helps Kirk go to bed at 5:30 pm, so he can wake up at 1:30 am. Kirk's legacy.  Advice for fellow Parkland drivers.

An engaging interview with Kelly Davis, Continuous Improvement Manager, at Parkland USA. A revealing episode on all the ways waste shows up and how to eliminate it. What “waste” really means at Parkland. The most commonly overlooked waste that drivers miss. The true cost of waste to drivers. Your first step to get rid of waste. How to identify it daily without adding too much work to your schedule. Takeaways: Waste is any step or action in that process that the customer is not willing to pay for. Start and end with the customer in mind. Current examples in Parkland: Transportation, Motion, Inventory, Overprocessing, Defects, and Under-utilized Talent. Start to see those forms of waste in your own environment. Your next step: Challenge your teammates to find wastes and continuously improve processes.

Part 1 of an insightful interview with 2020 Minot Extra Mile Award winner, Kirk Borud. The emotional story behind the Minot Extra Mile Award. How Kirk felt the moment after winning the award. What you learn driving a truck for 42 years. Shooting crows with a slingshot from the cab of a truck. Kirk's hobby where he speaks to drivers in Australia. Radio, Morris Code, and Being Held Hostage. The dangers of driving in 40 degrees below zero.

An engaging interview with Kelly Davis, Continuous Improvement Manager, at Parkland USA. Discover the question that drives continuous improvement. The power of 5 Why's and how to use them. How you quickly get to the root cause of a problem. How you can use it every day to correct quality issues. A lesson from the Lincoln Memorial. The importance of prioritizing creativity before capital. How you use ‘Why' with your team (or family member) without coming off as annoying. “Talk Less, Ask More.” Your next step: Consider a problem or issue you face. Ask ‘why” to the root cause?

This is the second part of our interview with Parkland USA Operator of the Year, Dwight Brown. Make sure to also check-out the first part of the interview which aired two weeks ago. In this interview, you'll discover: Where Dwight's drive comes from. How you stay motivated even when you have to miss your kid's birthday. Dwight's favorite thing about working with Parkland. Where Dwight sees so much opportunity at Parkland. The secret sauce to being great at customer service.  A powerful example of teamwork. How to win as a team. Why he likes mentoring and how you can do it.

The top concern during riots or protests. The Parkland plan to keep drivers away from mobs. What you should do if a flash protest erupts while you're driving. Emergency procedures you should know in case of a criminal ambush. The steps you should take when trouble arises and you are out of your truck in the middle of a delivery. Summary: Driver safety is a top priority at Parkland.  Planning before entering areas where protests have occurred, are occurring, or might occur is a crucial team effort. Drivers and Dispatchers must get into the habit of making smart, well-planned decisions concerning routes and stops every day. Any action that our professional drivers take, even in self-defense, can and will be looked at and investigated by law enforcement, the media, and the public at large.  Failure to follow both the law and good judgment can lead to civil and criminal penalties beyond injuries sustained.

Enjoy this episode with the Parkland USA Operator of the Year, Dwight Brown. This interview was so packed full of terrific insights that we've divided it into two episodes. Be on the look for part two in a couple weeks. In this episode, you'll discover: How to stay hungry and eager. The big lesson that Dwight learned from his mentors. The best way to quickly learn on the job. What it was like winning Operator of the Year. The surprising pastime that Dwight has outside of work. Those who helped Dwight on his way to winning Operator of the Year. A shout out to Dwight's Team.

Why truck rollovers are deadly. The common misconceptions. When you're the most at risk. The role that cargo plays in rollover events. The steps you can take to prevent rollovers Summary 48 percent of large truck occupant deaths in 2019 occurred in crashes where the truck rolled over.  Driver error is responsible for over three-quarters of all rollovers. Rollovers can happen to anyone at any time, so drivers can never be too comfortable behind the wheel. Over 90 percent of the time, the rollover is not the "first" event.  In other words, some other dangerous event occurs before the rollover. Inattention is the leading cause of rollover crashes.  Tractor-trailer drivers are more than twice as likely to die in a rollover than the drivers of passenger cars that rollover.

A engaging interview with Kelly Davis, Continuous Improvement Manager, at Parkland USA. Kelly's first job at a Laser Tag facility, and how it influenced her leadership. Why Continuous Improvement is an important focus for Parkland USA. Why YOUR IDEA MATTERS! The easy way to submit your idea for improvement. An example of continuous improvement in action. Key Quote: “Best Idea Wins Here!"

Enjoy this fun and informative interview with the General Manager of the Parkland USA Rockies ROC. You'll discover: Trent's colorful story of how he landed his first job and what he learned. 3 success strategies for every Parkland USA employee. The key for continuing our growth in the Rockies region. Advice on how to survive when being attacked by a moose.

Two Key Takeaways 1. The Difference between good drivers and great drivers frequently centers on attitude, experience, and professional habit patterns. DriveCam allows our professional Drivers inexpensive opportunities to share the experiences, near misses, and lessons learned from their colleagues during periodic drivers meetings. 2. After a few months with the DriveCam system, the majority of our drivers are enthusiastic supporters of the protections it affords; it calls attention to their professionalism, justifies awards and bonuses, provides proof of heroic actions that would otherwise be unknown, and it increases driving skills.  Call To Action   We do not have the manpower to monitor the DriveCam system for 355 power units. Drivers must call attention to the near-misses that they experience on the highway so that we can go back and look for the associated video. Try hard to remember the exact time of the event. We reward near-miss video and acts of heroism.  Don't be shy...call attention to your driving expertise!

You'll discover who won "Operator of the Year" for the Southeastern ROC plus... How your sleep makes you a better driver The top sleep strategies for drivers. The easy and accurate way to manage your ELD mandates. Three Key Takeaways 1. Hours of service regulations are somewhat complicated and change periodically. Whether you are on a short haul exemption or performing interstate deliveries, you need to know the rules and be able to explain the rules that you are operating under to DOT officers. Believe it or not, DOT officers have trouble keeping them straight also. 2. The reason why we have nationally-imposed hours of service regulations is because fatigue is a killer. Know when to surrender to fatigue and don't sweat the consequences; it's not worth dying for.  3. If you are a professional driver, you have to learn how to professionally rest. Practice techniques to obtain a good night's sleep; there are tricks to it. Sleep is fundamental to good health and safety. Call To Action   Driving a bomb is like flying a fighter in combat; If you take-off fatigued, you have just significantly increased your chances of not returning home safe. Fatigue is already an ace; chances are good that you aren't. 

Three Key Takeaways 1. Professional drivers do FAR more than deliver products to customers—they act as ambassadors for Parkland's many brands, and in many cases, they are the faces of our company. 2. Parkland USA isn't primarily in the oil or fuel business; we are squarely in the service industry and recognizing this up front properly organizes our minds for success. 3. Occasionally you shall encounter clients who are unhappy, rude, and sometimes verbally abusive. You wear a Parkland uniform; upset, angry customers are not really unhappy with you personally, but with the situation(s) that have them stressed. Don't Forget! A professional driver parks his ego before driving his or her company truck. The customer isn't necessarily always right, but he or she should always be treated as if they are.

Another informative and fun episode with Director of Operational Excellent, David Gurney. Three Key Takeaways 1.   Professional drivers adopt techniques to detect hazards early. But no driver can control his environment. Following a vehicular mishap, the primary goal is to prevent further injury and damage; this goes beyond those immediately involved to motorists approaching the scene, first responders, and the environmental effects of a potential product leak. 2.   After an accident, capture and preserve as much evidence as you SAFELY can. Obtain as much of the other driver(s)' information as possible and communicate it quickly to dispatch or your supervisor.  3.     Communicate the five W's ASAP. Do not claim innocence or guilt. Comply fully with law enforcement and remember that you represent Parkland: do not post on social media. Remember: Car accidents happen every minute of every day. Remember the ABCs: ALWAYS BE COOL. After a vehicular mishap, professionals proceed in a business-like manner. If others are involved, don't get into an argument with them and don't make accusations. Cooperate with police and any other emergency responders who show up at the accident scene. Answer questions from the police honestly, but do not speculate or offer more information than what you're asked.

Another energetic episode with Director of Operational Excellence, David Gurney. Parkland's core values are safety, integrity, community, and respect. Spills are a threat to all of these values. We have time-tested procedures for preventing spills and they must be rigorously observed. Three Key Takeaways Spills are 95% avoidable. Spills do FAR more damage than you realize and for this reason, they are reported all the way up to the president of Parkland USA. Spill cleanups require supervisory authentication and approval.

 A lively episode with Director of Operational Excellence, David Gurney. Three Key Takeaways 1. The difference between amateurs and professionals is entirely based on their habits and mindset; the only way to become better at anything is to spend time working at it.   2.  Amateurs stall after failure. Professionals grow after failure because they understand that failure is an inevitable and necessary part of growth. This said, the greatest professionals also learn from the failures and near-misses of others. 3. You can't think and act like a Pro if you still believe that you're an amateur. This is why it's so important to shift your identity. You have the power—right now—to believe that you are a professional. Do This: Recognize that your professionalism matters. You owe it to yourself, your family, your colleagues, and your community to be a professional. More is riding on your professionalism than you may realize.

“The Winning Drive” podcast Doug Haugh, President of Parkland USA , kicks off this new exciting podcast. It helps you safely and conveniently stay “plugged in” and engaged without adding more work to your day. Here's what you'll discover in this episode: Why Parkland USA is launching a podcast now and where the idea came from. How Parkland USA handled the Pandemic and how it's increased their resilience in 2020. The biggest leadership lesson from 2020. BIG plans for 2021! What employees need to keep in mind for next year. Do This: Be on the lookout for the next episode. The next time you meet a fellow Parkland driver ask them if they listened to the episode.