When running a fleet business, building a culture of trust and autonomy are unwavering factors to motivate and empower employees. However, staying true to facts and reinforcing policies to ensure successful performance and accountability will keep the business in the long run.
Anything excessive can be harmful; thus, for industries such as fleet businesses, relying on words and reports alone without clear metrics and procedures can be detrimental to the business.
To keep your fleet business on track, here are solid strategies you can implement for better performance and accountability among your team.
Implement Fleet Data Management System
Store and manage your fleet information in a centralized system where everyone who is authorized can access and track the important data needed. Having a simplified management and information system can also help you and the team save time and complications in data analysis.
Once you have established a system for data management, you can devise or install software to automate data analysis and get automated reports. These outputs are important for you to make better decisions and direction for your business.
Maximize the Use of Fuel Cards:
Nowadays, it is seldom for fleet owners and managers to ask “What is a fuel card?” due to its increasing demand and advantages in the fleet business. Fuel cards come in very handy and are accessible in most gas stations. Utilising it for your fleet business is like having a reliable team who will work for you in terms of managing fuel resources.
Deciding to avail fuel cards for your business is a great decision. However, to realize its full potential, you must find and select the fuel card that best suits your business needs.
Here are some questions to guide you when choosing a fuel card:
- Does it provide centralized and online account management?
- Does its provider offer reasonable discounts or packages?
- Does it have reliable and competitive customer support?
You may also consult companies like Radius to guide you in choosing the best fuel card tailor-fit to your business type and goals. Connect with them here.
Set Clear Expectations and Performance Indicators
Setting clear expectations and performance metrics paves a clear direction for the company to achieve its goal. For fleet businesses, key performance indicators (KPIs) include good driving history, fuel use, and vehicle uptime performance.
KPIs do not only serve as the basis for rewarding and reprimanding employees which defeats its purpose in the first place. Establishing clear metrics and consistent KPI reporting is vital for the company to grow and progress in a better direction. Numbers speak for themselves and using them to your advantage will keep your business thriving in the long run.
Empower and Train Your Drivers
The fleet business is as good as the people you have in the company, and these people are primarily your drivers. Consistent training and communication among drivers, managers, and owners are essential to prevent accidents, overspending, and non-compliance to legal matters.
Depending on your drivers’ journey, your company can provide defensive driving courses to ensure their safety on the road. It is also a must to have regular check-ups on your drivers’ behaviour and implement recognition and corrective measures when necessary.
As partners in your business, you can also empower your drivers to be accountable for maintaining vehicle safety and using fuel efficiently. There are training and courses your company can conduct to educate drivers consistently.
Conduct Vehicle Inspections Regularly
In any business, the safety of the people is the priority. Hence, conducting regular vehicle safety checks is part of the SOP. Doing regular inspections can prevent a lot of complications not only for the business but most importantly, for people’s safety.
When conducting vehicle inspections, the company must adhere to your state’s regulatory requirements. Having and updating records of maintenance activities will also keep your fleet in check. Moreover, you should ensure that there is no compromise on the quality of vehicle parts and services for the sake of profit.
Conclusion
These tips may be basic in terms of running a fleet business, but when observed consistently, safety, performance, and profitability are guaranteed to increase.
