Freight Strategy Consulting

We know how
carriers think.
We work for you.

Our consulting practice is built on something most freight advisors don't have — real experience inside the carrier world. We know how rates are built, where the margin is hidden, and what levers actually move in contract negotiations.

The Pulse IQ difference We consult exclusively for shippers. Our carrier-insider knowledge works in your favour at every negotiation — giving you the same information advantage your carriers have, but using it against them.
Carrier-insider expertise
Shippers only — no conflicts
Hourly rate — no retainer required
Edmonton-based, Canada-wide
Carrier Insider Knowledge
What we know that your carrier reps don't tell you
On rate structures
Most published rate cards have 15–30% margin built in. Carriers don't negotiate unless you have data showing you know this.
Fuel surcharge tables are rarely updated to reflect actual diesel prices. The band you're in is often one tier higher than it should be.
Dimensional factor defaults are set high intentionally. A no-cube agreement is standard — most shippers just never ask for it.
On negotiations
Carriers move on volume commitments, not loyalty. Knowing your lane profile is more powerful than any relationship.
The best time to negotiate is 90 days before renewal — not at the table when they've already drafted the new agreement.
Why Pulse IQ Consulting

Not a generic freight broker.
A carrier insider working for you.

01
We know how rates are built

We understand carrier pricing from the inside — how rate cards are structured, where margin is layered in, and what the carrier's actual floor is. That knowledge changes every negotiation.

02
No conflicts. Ever.

We work exclusively for shippers. We don't consult for carriers, we don't take referral fees from carriers, and we never will. Our only job is to put money back in your pocket.

03
Data-driven, not relationship-driven

Carriers respond to facts, not friendships. We come to every engagement with benchmarked rate data, your lane profile, and a clear picture of what better terms look like — so you negotiate from a position of knowledge.

Consulting Services

Four ways we put
our carrier knowledge
to work for you.

All consulting engagements are billed hourly. We'll scope your project on a free discovery call and give you a clear estimate before any work begins. No retainer required.

Not sure which service fits your situation? Book a free 30-minute discovery call — no obligation, just a conversation about your freight challenges.
Service 02
Rate Benchmarking

Are you paying competitive rates for your lanes, weight profile, and freight mix — or are you just paying what your carrier asked for? We benchmark your current contracted rates against market to give you a clear, data-backed picture of where you stand and where you're overpaying.

  • Lane-by-lane rate comparison against market benchmarks
  • Weight break analysis — are you in the right break for your shipment profile?
  • Carrier comparison across your specific origin/destination pairs
  • Prioritized list of lanes with the largest savings opportunity
  • Actionable report you can take directly into a renewal conversation
Service 03
Carrier Selection & Lane Strategy

Which carrier you use for which lane matters as much as the rate itself. Service reliability, transit time, damage rates, and billing accuracy all affect your total freight cost. We help you build a carrier mix that optimizes for cost and service — not just what your current carriers are telling you.

  • Carrier capability analysis for your specific lane profile
  • Service level vs. cost tradeoff assessment by lane
  • Consolidation opportunities — where fewer carriers saves money
  • Carrier diversification strategy to reduce concentration risk
  • RFP support and carrier evaluation framework
Service 04
Freight Cost Reduction Assessment

A top-to-bottom review of your freight spend — from contracted rates to operational patterns. We identify where the biggest cost reduction opportunities are and deliver a prioritized action plan. This is the engagement that sets the direction for everything else.

  • Full review of carrier agreements, rate structures, and billing terms
  • Freight spend analysis by lane, carrier, weight class, and accessorial
  • Identification of the highest-ROI opportunities across rate, carrier mix, and operations
  • Prioritized action plan with estimated savings by initiative
  • Presentation-ready report for finance and operations stakeholders
How It Works

Simple process.
No surprises.

01
Free Discovery Call

30 minutes. You tell us about your freight situation — carriers, spend, current pain points. We ask the right questions and tell you honestly if and how we can help.

02
Scope & Quote

Based on the discovery call, we scope the engagement and provide a written estimate — hours, deliverables, and timeline. You approve before any billable work begins.

03
Analysis & Strategy

We do the work — benchmarking, reviewing agreements, analyzing spend, building the strategy. You get a clear, data-backed deliverable, not a generic report.

04
Implementation Support

We don't hand you a report and disappear. We support you through the negotiation, carrier conversations, and implementation — as much or as little as you need.

Who It's For

Right fit. Wrong fit.

Great fit
You'll get real value if...
  • You ship LTL across Canada and haven't benchmarked your rates in 2+ years
  • You're approaching a carrier contract renewal and want to negotiate from a stronger position
  • Your freight spend is $50K+ per month and you suspect you're overpaying
  • You don't have an internal freight expert and rely on what your carrier reps tell you
  • You want to consolidate your carrier mix or add a new carrier for specific lanes
  • You've never seen a breakdown of your freight cost by lane, weight class, or error type
Not the right fit
We're probably not what you need if...
  • You ship exclusively parcel/courier — our expertise is LTL freight
  • You already have a dedicated in-house freight procurement team
  • You're looking for a freight broker or 3PL to manage your logistics operations
  • Your freight spend is under $20K/month — the ROI on consulting won't be there yet
FAQ

Common questions.

What's your hourly rate?
We provide a full written quote after a free discovery call. Our rate depends on the engagement type and complexity — contract negotiation support and rate benchmarking are priced differently from a full freight cost assessment. We'll give you an honest estimate and you decide whether to proceed. No surprises.
Do I need to be a Freight Pulse client to use consulting?
No — consulting is completely standalone. You don't need to be on the Freight Pulse platform to engage Pulse IQ for consulting work. That said, many clients find the combination powerful: consulting to get better contracted rates, then Freight Pulse to make sure those rates are actually being honoured on every invoice.
How long does a typical engagement take?
It depends on scope. A focused rate benchmarking exercise for 2–3 carriers typically takes 1–2 weeks. A full freight cost reduction assessment is usually 2–4 weeks depending on data availability. Contract negotiation support runs in parallel with your renewal timeline — typically 4–8 weeks from kick-off to signed agreement. We'll give you a realistic timeline during scoping.
What data do you need from us to get started?
For most engagements we need: your current carrier rate schedules or contracts, 6–12 months of invoice history (a spreadsheet export is fine), and your basic lane profile — top origin/destination pairs, typical shipment weights, and freight mix. We tell you exactly what we need after the discovery call, and we work with what you have.
Do you negotiate directly with our carriers on our behalf?
Yes, if that's what you want. Some clients prefer to run the negotiation themselves with our strategy and data behind them. Others want us in the room (or on the call) directly with their carrier reps. Either way works — we scope it based on your preference.
Can you help us evaluate a new carrier we haven't used before?
Absolutely. Carrier selection and evaluation is one of our core services. We can benchmark a prospective carrier's proposed rates against market, review their rate card structure for unfavorable terms, and give you an informed view on whether their offering is competitive for your specific lanes.
Get a Quote

Let's talk about
your freight challenges.

Start with a free 30-minute discovery call. No obligation, no sales pitch — just an honest conversation about your situation and whether we can help.

  • 1
    Fill out the form
    Tell us about your freight profile so we can prepare for the conversation
  • 2
    Free discovery call — 30 min
    We discuss your situation and tell you honestly if and how consulting will create value
  • 3
    Written scope & quote
    Clear deliverables, estimated hours, and total cost. You approve before anything starts.
  • 4
    We get to work
    Billable work begins only after you've approved the scope in writing
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discovery call.

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