For small and mid-sized businesses with fleets, there are few topics more pertinent to the long-term financial health of your company than fleet safety. Even with the best possible preparation, accidents happen. A safer environment for employees and motorists on the road is beneficial for every company that operates a fleet of any size.

Fuel cards have historically been one of the most challenging aspects of fleet management. You have to send your team out with enough money to refuel whenever that becomes necessary. However, just giving drivers a stack of cash and sending them out into the world isn't exactly secure business. 

Those of you starting a home service company that requires fleet vehicles may wonder how you're going to find enough capital to invest in these trucks. The typical cost of buying fleet vehicles is considerable when you factor in the maintenance involved, not including hiring fleet managers to monitor everything.

Photo via Daniel Arndt/Flickr.

Estimates indicate that over 400 people may lose their lives and nearly 46,000 may be seriously injured while on the nation's roads this Memorial Day Weekend, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). For commercial fleets, safe driving messaging should start in the workplace, according to the council.

Those of you starting an electrician, plumbing, or home service company may realize buying fleet vehicles is out of the question at the moment. Even if you think you could still pull off an investment in your vehicles, don't attempt it if you don't have metrics on potential ROI.

Starting a plumbing business is extremely competitive considering those in this industry are as ubiquitous as attorneys. Nevertheless, if you've been able to differentiate yourself from competitors, how have you managed to invest in fleet vehicles?

Those of you who work in the plumbing, electrician, or HVAC industries know that tracking your fleet vehicles can become a major challenge when your drivers drive long distances. Your business perhaps expanded to a point where many of your drivers travel to other states for repair jobs especially when you are close to the state line like we are in Charlotte, NC.

[The Continuance from part one]

Vehicles are a vital part of modern business. There are hundreds of industries and sub-industries that involve driving to and from customer locations and worksites. Then factor in regional managers who travel from location to location, C-level managers with company cars, driving around visiting clients, and road-based business trips.

5) Get Feedback and Ideas from Every Team Member

Many managers get into the headspace of thinking that they are the only source of innovation and must bring in productivity methods from the outside. However, both your office staff and your field technicians have a great perspective on how to eliminate inefficiencies because they work closely with the existing system every day.