mitrobeThat being said, the timely placement and replacement of vehicles is a complicated process that requires meticulous planning and diligence in order to ensure cost-effectiveness.
All this can make fleet management seem like a daunting task.
Do not be troubled! We are here to help.
As is the case with all business strategies, fleet management strategies, too, have evolved with time in order to meet the challenges of the modern world. But you may wonder – why strategize in the first place?
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Here’s why:
- Strategizing firstly helps you find the optimal solution to a given problem, so you end up spending less time, money, and energy to solve the problem.
- You see the problem from all possible angles, and that anchors you as a brilliant solution provider.
- You begin to see problems as opportunities and make the most out of any situation.
- You start finding answers in unexpected situations as your mind is subconsciously always working towards your goal.
- Strategising lastly becomes a habit, and you see yourself getting better at it with each passing day.
Now that the importance of strategizing well have been established; we have a compiled a list of simple yet effective fleet management strategies that will help your business scale to new heights:
Invest in driver training and safety
Investing in driver training will ensure that you thrive in the long run. It is important that you make your employees proud of being associated with the organization by sharing the business’ mission and vision, along with instilling in them a sense of constant improvement.
This will ensure that your employees feel a sense of pride as well, along with making them more responsible for their actions.
Pro tips:
- Organize regular safety programs that educate your employees about the best safety practices in your industry.
- Take constant feedback from the employees and work towards addressing their concerns no matter how trivial it may sound.
- Simple training on the right posture, healthy eating habits, the importance of regular exercise, and so on can prove to be of immense help.
- Appreciate additional efforts publicly during this training and keep everyone motivated. Channel the energy of your workforce to meet business goals.
- Make it known that you care and are available to address any challenges faced by your employees – be it in the personal or professional sphere.
Harness the power of technology
Data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning are buzzwords in the business community, and using the right technology can help you achieve your goals much faster through increased productivity.
Technology is an incredibly powerful tool which if used wisely, can yield some amazing results.
Pro tips:
- A commercial dash cam can analyze roads along with driver behavior, all in real-time. It sends alerts to drivers and actionable data insight to managers.
Additionally, they have also been proven to lower costs and improve driver safety. - Do not forget the use of social media to leverage your brand and bring a whole new dimension to your business.
- Third-party fleet management software can help provide a holistic solution to optimize fleet management. The right software will –
1. Collect the required data
2. Present the data in a manner that is easy to analyze
3. Will not compromise on security
4. Will have cross-platform compatibility and be user-friendly - In-vehicle assistance encompasses a wide range of technologies that include in-built GPS systems, video displays, and parking assistance.
All these go a long way in making the operator’s life much simpler and assists you in completing your work faster. - Wearable technologies such as smart-watches help you monitor driver health and ensures their physical well-being.
It can also help warn drivers of accidents or of construction work in their road ahead.
Follow a strict maintenance schedule.
While it may seem obvious, an oft-overlooked factor is following a maintenance schedule. Unfortunately, it is only when disaster strikes in the form of terrible weather, strikes, etc., that you begin to take this with the seriousness it always deserved.
And more often than not, by then it is too late.
Pro tips:
- Invest in a fleet tracking system that provides you with regular maintenance alerts.
- Follow the warranty schedule religiously. Keep track of the warranty of each vehicle in your database.
- Unmaintained assets can impact forecasting, so ensure that you keep your assets well-maintained at all times.
- Do not use faulty or compromised equipment as these can be a major public and employee safety risk. If you find one, replace or repair with immediate effect.
- Remember that following a strict maintenance schedule may seem like an expensive affair in the short-term; it can actually save you a ton of money in the long-run.
Find ways to implement changes and improve.
We inhabit a world that is rapidly changing right before our eyes. Emerging technologies, fresh work culture, data-driven decision making – these are all presenting business leaders with new challenges.
However, with the right frame of mind, you can turn these challenges into tremendous growth opportunities that will help your business rise above the rest.
Pro tips:
- Embrace an open culture where employees are free to voice their concerns.
- Telematics systems that are designed for fleets enable you to between a central location and the individual fleet such as a truck or an ambulance. It can record every detail – right from speed to tire pressure.
Imagine the amount of time and cost you would save thanks to telematics! - Keep looking to learn from the best business practices not just in the industry but also outside of it
- Be action-oriented and implement changes quickly but keeping the long-term goals always in mind
- Always stay focused on growth and maintain a sense of purpose and belonging
In conclusion
Fleet management is a key component of the ever-challenging shipping and fulfillment maze that all kinds of industries must face.
It is imperative that you make use of the best technology, adopt the finest business practices and strategize well so you can provide the best service to your clients.
With the help of the strategies and pro-tips we have shared, go forth, and make your business shine!
James steller
mitrobe
Mitrobe Staff