They say that any great business starts with a great idea. But no great idea comes to fruition successfully without great management. Great ideas should be nurtured by business managers, especially fleet businesses which face a particular set of difficult challenges, including high employee turnover rates and tough competition.
Long-term success comes when a manager can recognize their business's flaws and spot where improvements can be made. Good fleet management is all about treating your staff well, increasing productivity, and improving the efficiency of your operations.
So as a business owner, what can you do personally to improve your management? What tools are out there to help you succeed?
Here's 5 of our best tips to help you improve your fleet business.
1. Switch to Automation Software
Switching to automation software offers fleet management solutions you simply can't obtain with traditional management/admin methods. Tech companies such as Ridecell have transformed the way fleet managers run their business operations. You can now utilize one easy-to-use system to automate a whole range of tasks and processes, all within one platform.
Some of the biggest ways Ridecell's IoT system improves your fleet management include:
- You can keep on top of vehicle maintenance. No issue will slip through the cracks.
- Mileage can be reduced with optimized route planning.
- Costs can be cut wherever possible with fuel monitoring.
- Without time-consuming admin tasks, you have more time to manage the team personally.
2. Set Clear Policies
As the fleet manager, it's your responsibility to set clear and coherent company policies that all employees understand and adhere to. Workflows and operations are streamlined when everyone is working from the same central procedural system. Be willing to review and improve the procedures and policies if you need to too. Some of the best fleet management procedures might include:
- Using trackable fuel cards (to prevent fuel fraud).
- Monitoring driver behavior and performance.
- Using a sign-in/sign-out hours system.
- Weekly/monthly/annual vehicle inspections.
3. Invest in Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
On top of tracking the performance of drivers, you should also track the performance of your vehicles. The cost of fuel continues to rise, which means you should always be on the lookout for fuel-efficient vehicles to save on fuel consumption. Cutting your fuel costs with eco-friendly cars will massively help long-term savings and sustainability.
There's plenty of fuel-efficient vehicles on the market, the only problem is you need to have the upfront funds to make the big investment. You can then purchase a texaco fuel card to fill up.
4. Be An Approachable Manager
As a manager of individual team members, you must be personable and approachable. Treat your staff (drivers, receptionists, mechanics, etc.) with respect and develop a work culture that treats them as human beings who work hard for you. Good communication skills are key for fostering trustworthy relationships. The more you listen to their ideas or concerns, the better the chance you'll retain them as employees.
5. Be Willing to Learn
Open-mindedness is another attribute of a great fleet manager. Be willing to learn and try out new solutions when issues arise in your current system. Fully immerse yourself into the industry by joining industry associations or societies and attending conventions. That way you can network with fellow fleet managers and stay up to date with industry news. The more resources you have to learn from, the more competent you become.
