Company Culture Update: Continue to maintain internal and external communication

Trailer Bridge President and CEO Mitch Luciano. Image: FreightWaves

Workforces across industries are still navigating uncharted waters as COVID-19 continues to disrupt our everyday lives. Some of the biggest challenges facing companies today have been maintaining open dialogue with both customers and co-workers and ensuring the well-being of affected team members. 

On this episode of Company Culture Update, Trailer Bridge President and CEO Mitch Luciano talked with FreightWaves research analyst Andrew Cox about the importance of maintaining transparency internally among team members and externally with clients.

In order to thrive, you must first focus inward. Luciano explained that Trailer Bridge team members have remained actively engaged through communication via monthly town halls and daily Zoom calls with individuals throughout the company.

“Studies have shown that employees become disengaged when they work from home,” Luciano said. “How do we ensure that they remain engaged? We can accomplish that by listening to what their needs are.”

Luciano admitted that it can be hard at times to keep up morale but he encourages his workforce to think positively and keep in mind that even the COVID-19 pandemic will come to an end at some point.

Unfortunately, the virus continues to affect workforces. Luciano credited his company for pulling together to provide support. He said that Trailer Bridge allows team members affected by the virus or those employees with sick family members to step away from their positions for a short period of time. Employees infected are required to have two negative COVID-19 tests to return to work.

“The biggest challenge for us has been when our team is hit with the virus,” Luciano said. “It usually affects not just one person but rather a group of people who have dedicated jobs to get done.”

Luciano added that cross-training teams to take on the responsibilities of an affected group has become beneficial for Trailer Bridge as its workforce has been able to remain functional without many setbacks.

Keeping morale high and the workforce fully functional certainly has internal benefits but Luciano urges companies to also focus externally. He suggests that honoring commitments during times of volatility will help build and sustain long-term partnerships.

“The number one thing is commitment,” Luciano said. “We’re not going to change our pricing structure or the way we do business. I think companies should ask themselves whether they should focus on the short-term to make a lot of money in three months or rather think long term by sustaining the commitments they’ve made with their customers.”

You may also like:

Company Culture Update: Remain engaged in times of hardship

M&A Update: Cultural exchange key to successful mergers

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Jack Glenn

Jack Glenn is a sponsored content writer for FreightWaves and lives in Chattanooga, TN with his golden retriever, Beau. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business.