Fleet managers are responsible for every task that involves vehicle selection, maintenance, and management in a fleet’s operations. Since they deal with a significant portion of their company’s expenses, they cannot afford to make mistakes. The following are five things that great fleet managers avoid at all costs.
Assume Ignorance is Bliss
A successful fleet manager never gets too comfortable in their job and assumes that everything is always under control. They work constantly to find errors and areas of improvement that they are overlooking.
The transportation industry undergoes many changes every year, so it is recommended that you stay updated. The automobile industry serves millions of people around the world, so government regulations and gas prices never stay the same for too long. Going into the job with a stubborn attitude and without an open mind could cost you your career.
Focus Too Much on Suppliers
The new trend in business is to outsource tasks for the purpose of saving money and time. Many fleet companies need suppliers to complete important daily tasks. However, relying too much on one source means removing responsibility from your own hands. The staff working for your company becomes too dependent and less efficient over time.
Focus only on outsourcing the basic, menial tasks that are generally performed by clerks or assistants. Leave the larger responsibilities to the management team and keep their schedules busy.
Refuse to Communicate
Managers are supposed to communicate their concerns with other members of the team. They must discuss cost figures and give suggestions on how to reduce costs. Managers also have to review accident statistics, calculate repair costs, and analyze depreciation values. They should not attempt to manage all of this data on their own.
Act Dishonestly
Honesty is a virtue that sets fleet managers who truly care about their responsibilities apart from the rest. Being straightforward with your drivers, customers, and maintenance providers is the best way to establish trust with the people most closely involved in your day-to-day duties.
Dismiss Paperwork
A good reporting system can vastly improve any fleet’s operations. Knowing how many miles your fleet travels in a day, how much fuel is consumed, and how much time your vehicles spend idling is essential if you want to start cutting costs.
Running a fleet smoothly and remaining on top of things starts with avoiding the above-mentioned pitfalls. As a fleet manager, you must work hard to develop and maintain the habits that will keep your drivers, vehicles, and business on track.
