While formal quality management systems are a basic requirement for carriers doing business with the automotive industry, it is a companyas understanding of key items such as leadership, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction that is needed to survive and excel in todayas market. Shifting Gears brings a unique approach to quality in the trucking industry, clearly defining the issues that challenge a carrieras very survival of business and, through the principles embodied in ISO 9000, discusses practical measures for addressing these challenges. It identifies ISO 9000 as an effective management tool, offering information on how business leaders can reduce their costs, improve their overall business efficiency, and improve their competitive advantage in the marketplace. This quality management principles book moves beyond quality management principles to include methods for use in day-to-day operations, helping carriers easily ashift gearsa to make these tools a part of the company culture.