Running a business, many managers see creating policies as a "Set It and Forget It' situation. In some cases, this can be true. A practical and comfortable dress code may not change for a decade. But even things that seem like they should last forever, like maintenance checklists or safe driving policies, evolve over time. It is vital that fleet managers both realize and embrace the idea that policies must evolve with the times.
Industry standards, vehicle features, and healthy employment trends have all changed significantly over the last decade. Is your fleet on the ball? If you have static fleet policies that have not evolved with the times, now is the time to re-evaluate best practices and explore why static policies can be dangerous.
Vehicle Design and New Maintenance Checklists
The primary reason why fleet policies cannot be set in stone is the constant progress of vehicular technology. Cars today are not built like cars ten years ago and are drastically different from cars 30 years ago. They barely resemble cars from 50 years ago. All the automated systems, sound-dampening interiors, and additional features require a new maintenance checklist each time you update your fleet. Using the same old checklist could lead to safety risks and unaddressed problems.
Driver-Assist Features and Safe Driving Best Practices
Safe driving best practices are timeless in some ways, but evolving in others. For example, how to drive on ice varies significantly based on the car's inherent braking system and anti-slip features. Lane correction, collision detection, and radar-guided cruise control all play important roles in new driver training and best practices.
Operational Efficiency with New Telematics and Software
Fleet management technologies are also evolving quickly. As cars become more computerized, telematics become more sophisticated. As cloud platforms evolve in the rest of the business world, fleet management software becomes more comprehensive with features ranging from live GPS tracking and route planning to managing driver's individual gas card balances from the same central dashboard.
A company with static policies will often miss out on the latest operational efficiency-boosting tech by refusing to change or adapt to new options.
Attracting and Retaining Talented Drivers
One thing that has changed drastically in the last decade is employment policies. Employees are valuable, and drivers even moreso due to their scarcity. Building enticing employment packages and treating your drivers with daily consideration has become necessary for attracting and retaining your fleet staff. A business stuck in the old mindset will quickly lose team members to more appealing competitors.
Missed Opportunities to Optimize Costs
A refusal to change can also mean resistance to growth or even cost-saving opportunities. By optimizing using the latest technology or business strategies, fleets can reduce their inefficiencies and expenses in order to do more with less.
Updated Regulations and Compliance Matters
Staying compliant with vehicle and industry-specific regulations is also essential to managing a successful fleet. However, regulations are not set in stone. They, too, evolve with the times and current standards or best practices to achieve the regulatory body's goals in changing circumstances. As vehicles and business environments change, so too will the regulations you need to conform to.
Falling Behind the Competitive Curve
Lastly, a fleet with static policies is likely to fall behind the curve and watch competition leap ahead. Without changing, you cannot optimize for growth, compete for the best talent, or meet the evolving needs of your client base.
Keep Your Fleet Evolving with Wilmar
Keep your fleet up to date with fleet management guidance by Wilmar Inc. We specialize in helping to build, optimize and manage business fleets across the country. Even if your business has existed for decades, it's never too late to update your policies and start getting ahead. Contact us for the services, technology, and expertise to keep your fleet evolving with the latest trends.
