The Grawe Pod

The Grawe Group
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Management
  • Updated Monthly

Hosted by Doug Grawe, the founder and CEO of the Grawe Group, the Grawe Pod is Transportation’s General Counsel Podcast examining key issues for the trucking and logistics industry.

  1. 3d ago

    Corporate Governance: Why the Rules Matter for Long-Term Business Success

    For this episode of the series, the Grawe Pod provides an overview of corporate governance and why the structure that is put in place is more than just a set of rules and paperwork. The explanation that Grawe Group Founder and CEO Doug Grawe walks listeners through over the course of the episode is offered with an approach that should be especially helpful for family-owned companies, privately held businesses, and organizations bringing in outside investors As you will hear, Doug breaks down how clear rules, decision-making authority, and a shared “true north” can reduce friction, protect assets, and make succession planning much smoother. He also discusses why governance should fit the business’s actual goals instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all structure, and why it needs to be revisited as ownership, leadership, and growth change over time. Doug shares why long-term businesses need governance that supports the actual goals of the company’s leadership, especially when the owners want to keep operating for potentially decades into the future rather than exit quickly. You will hear Doug highlight possible scenarios within family business structures with poor governance in place that can create friction when parents, children, in-laws and employees all act on different assumptions. He also notes that too many rules can create legal risk if owners do not actually follow them, especially when plaintiffs or other shareholders look for inconsistencies. To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com. The post Corporate Governance: Why the Rules Matter for Long-Term Business Success appeared first on PodWheels.

  2. Aug 31

    Exploring The Value Of Alignment Around Goals and Consistency of Company Leadership

    As trucking and logistics companies work to make the most of the opportunities in today’s transportation market, the Grawe Pod focuses this episode on the importance of ensuring your organization has the best alignment around the goals you are trying to achieve. Additionally, the discussion also highlights the value of consistent messaging from company leadership and utilizing well-communicated standard operating procedures that consider all the departments within your organization. Grawe Group Founder and CEO Doug Grawe is once again joined on the podcast by Gary Randall, who is an Executive Business Partner with the Grawe Group. As you will hear, Doug and Gary discuss how misalignment starts at the top of an organization, how one-off exceptions can create confusion across recruiting, operations and dispatch. Their discussion features a look at why establishing clear expectations does indeed matter for overall company morale while also impacting key areas, including driver retention, sales and risk management.  If your company is having difficulty gaining traction in the current market, or, if your company is seeking to gain more momentum in today’s market, this episode can help as an effective starting point for examining how your company is aligned and the operating procedures you have in place as you look to pursue available opportunities.  To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com. The post Exploring The Value Of Alignment Around Goals and Consistency of Company Leadership appeared first on PodWheels.

  3. Jul 28

    Is Your Operation Ready For Opportunities In The Months Ahead?

    As Q3 for 2026 begins to get rolling, the Grawe Pod places a spotlight on the opportunities and challenges ahead for trucking and logistics companies in the second half of the year as well as being prepared for 2027. Grawe Group Founder and CEO Doug Grawe is joined by Gary Randall for an insightful discussion covering topics including market strategies, operational discipline, network management and leadership during market shifts to help companies thrive amid ongoing challenges. Gary serves as an Executive Business Partner with the Grawe Group. During this episode, Doug and Gary explore why it’s important to take a disciplined approach to equipment and fleet management amid market fluctuations. They will address the need for a continued focus on driver retention and recruiting in a competitive environment as the freight market improves. They also discuss how successful companies work to strike a balance between short-term rate opportunities and long-term relationship building. With the trucking and logistics industries in a constant state of change, Doug and Gary spend some time noting the art of pivoting with purpose, and how to adjust strategies without creating confusion or doubt. It’s important to maintain a long-term view while being consistent with strategies that remain true to your company’s core principles. As you’ll hear, there is a critical role for clarity, purpose and communication in leadership decisions.  To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com. The post Is Your Operation Ready For Opportunities In The Months Ahead? appeared first on PodWheels.

  4. Jun 10

    Examining Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Impacting Transportation

    For this episode of the podcast, Grawe Group Founder & CEO Doug Grawe examines two recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that will bring a collection of considerations into a new focus for trucking and logistics companies. Over the course of the episode, Doug offers practical insights on legal considerations as well as approaches for compliance. Before offering observations on the Montgomery vs. Caribe Transport decision by SCOTUS that addressed broker liability, Doug discussed a May 28 ruling by the Court in the Flowers Foods vs. Brock case and its implications for arbitration clauses in carrier contracts. As Doug notes in his analysis, the question before the Supreme Court was if federal law only applies to interstate work, interstate issues and not intrastate issues, specifically with deliveries that go from Point A to Point B in the same state. As you will hear, the court in a 9-0 decision unanimously said federal law applies, and Doug walks listeners through why that decision is significant for trucking and logistics companies. While discussing the Montgomery decision and its future impact on negligent hiring claims against brokers, Doug focuses on the practical steps that both brokers and carriers can take to place themselves in the best position to move forward. For carriers, this includes proactively working to improve CSA scores, if needed. Brokers should review and refine their carrier vetting processes. Doug also notes the importance of understanding insurance policies and procedural protocols as part of the safeguards that should be in place. One of the key points coming out of Montgomery that Doug emphasizes in this episode is that juries do not expect brokers and carriers, or defendants in any type of case, to be perfect. Juries understand mistakes happen. What juries are generally not okay with is not trying. They want to see that you tried. They want to see that you took the time and energy to consider a variety of things and make a balanced decision. To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com. The post Examining Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Impacting Transportation appeared first on PodWheels.

  5. May 15

    Insights On Navigating The Top HR Challenges In Today’s Business Landscape

    One of the realities of trucking is that the industry is filled with small- and medium-sized businesses. In this episode of the Grawe Pod, we will be exploring a number of the HR challenges that trucking operations with 100 employees or less must navigate within today’s business landscape. For an instructive discussion that covers a host of timely topics, Grawe Group Founder & CEO Doug Grawe is joined on this edition of the podcast by Human Resource experts Alisha Hanson and Ashley Brandbury, the Co-Founders of Build Your Roots HR. Alisha and Ashley take listeners inside the critical support HR consulting offers businesses under 100 employees from recruitment to compliance. They also talk to us about building internal redundancies and seamless transitions in HR functions to avoid operational disruptions as well as the challenges of multi-state employment, including legal, payroll and onboarding differences. The discussion includes noting the importance of staying on top of changes in laws and regulations, including on the state level, citing the implementation of a Minnesota state law covering paid family leave. In the final portion of the episode, Alisha and Ashley share their perspectives on how the growing use of AI is shaping HR, noting that companies need to begin strategies and policies that can be adaptable for the business as AI continues to evolve. In the closing moments of the episode, Alisha shares a note about the next Capacity To Lead seminar that Build Your Roots HR will be hosting on June 17th in Bayport, Minnesota. If you would like to learn more about the Capacity To Lead seminar, including how you can register to attend, please click here. To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com. The post Insights On Navigating The Top HR Challenges In Today’s Business Landscape appeared first on PodWheels.

  6. Apr 21

    Openforce CEO Wendy Greenland Looks At Technology And Future Of Independent Contractor Management

    Wendy Greenland, the CEO of Openforce, joins the podcast for a thought-provoking  discussion that explores AI’s growing impact on transportation technology and some of the key challenges trucking and logistics companies face when navigating the complex landscape of independent contractor management. Grawe Group Founder & CEO Doug Grawe leads the conversation that also takes us through Wendy’s career path, which brought her from being a telecommunications entrepreneur to working in transportation, eventually being called to senior leadership positions with Openforce, an industry-leading provider Independent Contractor compliance, insurance and payments. In their discussion of evaluating and implementing technologies within the Age of AI, Wendy notes the value of utilizing Horizon One, Two and Three with strategic decision-making and technology adoption. Wendy talks about the importance of understanding how to leverage what’s happening today while also being able to springboard to the future horizon. While walking listeners through the work that Openforce does with Independent Contractors and companies working with ICs, Wendy and Doug discussed being focused on helping people who want to be independent, keep their independence. Wendy also provides some valuable tips related to building trust and discipline within a leadership team while also establishing clear objectives for your team. In addition, she offers a few best practices for evaluating and selecting long-term technology partners. To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com. The post Openforce CEO Wendy Greenland Looks At Technology And Future Of Independent Contractor Management appeared first on PodWheels.

  7. Mar 26

    Navigating The Labor Department’s New Independent Contractor Rule 

    With this episode, Grawe Group Founder & CEO Doug Grawe examines the U.S. Department of Labor’s February 26th release of the proposed rule that addresses the classification of independent contractors. Doug highlights the key components of the proposed rule that would rescind the Department of Labor’s 2024 rule related to Independent Contractor status that was issued by the Biden Administration. While looking at what the new independent contractor rule means for trucking operations, Doug also provides historical context regarding the rule, including what’s changing from the existing Biden-era rule to the update that has been proposed by President Trump’s Department of Labor. As you’ll hear, Doug discusses a number of practical implications related to the proposed rule, including control over decisions and proof standards and how the rule can affect a carrier’s independent contractor program. Doug also notes considerations related to state-specific regulations and managing compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Doug encourages carriers that utilize independent contractors within their respective fleets to consider connecting with experts and resources for ongoing support. Having the processes in place to stay current on the changes with rules and legal decisions, including the current independent contractor status case before the Supreme Court, will help carriers in their efforts to adapt as necessary and stay compliant. To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com. The post Navigating The Labor Department’s New Independent Contractor Rule  appeared first on PodWheels.

  8. Feb 24

    Insights On Navigating Four Key Trucking and Logistics Issues In 2026

    Grawe Group Founder & CEO Doug Grawe takes a look inside four topics that have come up quite often in the first weeks of 2026 during conversations with clients and professionals within the trucking and logistics industries. As you’ll hear, Doug opens the podcast by discussing the latest happenings related to broker liability. He notes an upcoming Supreme Court ruling that is expected to address whether or not brokers should be held liable or should face the potential for liability in motor vehicle accidents. The second topic covered by Doug in this episode offers an update on the recent news that the Independent Contractor Rule from the U.S. Department of Labor could be on its way to the Office of Management and Budget, which means that we should expect the U.S. Department of Labor to issue its proposed rule for what it means to be an independent contractor. The evolving role of AI and the considerations for trucking and logistics decision-makers around the implementation of TMS and HRIS infrastructure serves as the third topic covered in the episode. Doug closes the podcast by touching on considerations related to mergers and acquisitions in today’s market, noting key points for those “kicking the tires” on either buying or selling. To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com. The post Insights On Navigating Four Key Trucking and Logistics Issues In 2026 appeared first on PodWheels.

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5
out of 5
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About

Hosted by Doug Grawe, the founder and CEO of the Grawe Group, the Grawe Pod is Transportation’s General Counsel Podcast examining key issues for the trucking and logistics industry.

Information

  • Creator
    The Grawe Group
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © PodWheels
  • Show Website
    The Grawe Pod