The sheer number of decisions fleet managers must make every day can lead to decision fatigue – mental exhaustion from the numerous micro-decisions we make throughout the day, which leads to poor decision making later in the day – which can result in subpar fleet management because your attention is diverted.
Here is a checklist of things to consider and decisions that can lead to failure
Your responsibility: You must be active in a number of crucial issues. Below are the most significant.
Choosing vehicles: You’ll need to decide what sort and how many vehicles to purchase, and this will be determined by a number of factors, including the age of your fleet, maintenance, and the desire to expand the firm, if this is part of your business strategy. You may need to examine a combination of vehicles, as well as whether to purchase or lease. All of these have advantages and disadvantages, and you must consider business imperatives while deciding between them.
Keeping files: This is of the utmost importance, and you must maintain excellent records. These will include information on maintenance, registrations, routes, traffic penalties, and other specifics. There are numerous fleet management software‘s, like as telematics and GPS tracking, that can help you make sense of the data; choose the one that works best for you, as this will reduce your administrative burden, which is always a source of frustration for managers.
Fleet Maintenance: It is your responsibility to determine when and where vehicles are serviced. Is it the same service station every time? Do you always require vehicle manufacturer approved agents? How can you determine whether a car need maintenance? Proper record keeping will be crucial in this situation since it will assist keep vehicles on the road longer and prevent unnecessary breakdowns, which can result in lost income and a negative impact on the company’s bottom line.
Driver management: You must ensure that your drivers are dependable and competent, maintain their ETA, don’t have too many accidents, don’t take excessively lengthy lunch breaks, and are, in general, the best. This is a significant choice that requires the involvement of Human Resources to ensure that references are examined and documentation are validated. You must also ensure that these drivers receive regular safety training and that safety is an integral part of the company’s culture.
Profit and loss: Fleet managers are essential for minimizing expenses and maximizing earnings. This is where appropriate software comes into play, as entering all of this information into a spreadsheet can be difficult and create numerous problems. Appropriate software will also reveal patterns, highlighting a problem before it becomes a migraine. This is a challenging decision, and you will require guidance from the Accounting Department; but, you should argue your case if the method they are utilizing does not satisfy your demands.
It is typical for decision fatigue to set in after a while in a position. The following are common hazards to avoid.
Rest on your laurels: Don’t forget that technology is advancing at a quick rate, and you must stay up with it and what your peers are doing in order to make the best decisions for your company in order to always assure an effective – and lucrative – fleet operation.
Heavy reliance on suppliers: Fleet providers can supply a program, service, or product for practically every fleet management issue or function. There are programs for every need, from leasing to maintenance to fuel. However, you must ensure that you are always making the best decisions and that you are not being duped into renewing a contract because it is more convenient.
Ineffectively communicating: Cost reduction should be communicated to management on a regular basis, e.g., last year, vehicle variable expense was X cents per kilometer; this year, it is Y cents per kilometer; and this equates to RZ in savings. The accident ratio, average repair costs, and depreciation rates are all fantastic statistics that enable a fleet manager to “strut their stuff” in front of management. Utilize effective processes, technologies, and software to keep your supervisors informed of this information.
Becoming irreplaceable: You don’t want to be stuck in the same position if you have higher objectives, and you certainly don’t want your absence to prevent progress. Talk to HR and ensure there is a plan that allows you to hire and mentor people who can eventually do your job – and learn from them as well: Fresh eyes may have a brilliant suggestion, making you appear even better as a manager for having appointed them.
Fleet managers are an integral element of the transportation sector. From purchasing and selling cars, to selecting a fleet, to managing schedules and drivers, fleet managers keep organizations operating efficiently and precisely while maximizing revenues by controlling costs. Ensure that you hire a consultant who can help you maintain the wheels spinning smoothly.