Reflecting on Lessons Learned in Fleet Management

Step outside of your comfort zone. So often, we find ourselves playing to our strengths or the things we are comfortable with. However, we should be consistently and intentionally doing the things that make us uncomfortable or that we aren't fully confident in.

Discomfort and adversity are where we grow. If we are comfortable in our positions and aren't doing things that challenge us, we remain stagnant and are not giving our best to our teams. Do the hard stuff. 

Effective change management strategies are key to implementing any new program, system, or process. Most of us naturally resist change due to the ambiguity that changes cause in not knowing exactly how we will handle something new. One of the key factors of successfully implementing change and working it into your culture is getting all the stakeholders involved and their input to the shift.

This helps create buy-in and avenues for communication for all involved and helps lay out what exactly is happening, and helps uncover some of the unintentional roadblocks you have before implementation. Do the change right.

The 411: Advice for Other Fleets 

Having a good FMIS and fully using it to analyze your data is the number one thing you can do for your fleet. If you don't have good data and a way to analyze it, you can't determine how you are doing, where your team is spending their time, what direction you are headed in, or see any of the trends that could be silently affecting your fleet.

You can also use data from your FMIS to justify any significant purchase or change that affects your operations. Data helped me gain approval for new positions, vehicles, equipment, tools, and other resources. A lifecycle cost analysis can show if you can extend the life of a vehicle.

The more data points there are to track, the greater the opportunity to use the information to improve. Use the data. 

Always be learning. Organizations like NAFA and Government Fleet are great places to gain foundational fleet knowledge and beyond. Personally, obtaining a Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) through NAFA has helped increase my chances in my last two job positions.

The CAFM is also a valuable resource for fleet competencies that I may not encounter frequently. It also significantly prepared me for the promotions I obtained, as I had a solid understanding of industry best practices. NAFA and Government Fleet also provide numerous other opportunities to take courses, attend webinars, or read articles, which help in keeping up with the constantly changing current trends in the fleet. Learn the things.

Go for the award programs offered, like Government Fleet Leading Fleets and NAFA 100 Best. It was one of the best things we could do to bring awareness of all that we had accomplished together. I personally didn't really see it from a big picture until I started putting things on paper and took a step back during the application process. We should be celebrating our teams and all that they have accomplished. If you don't place, that's okay, you can still celebrate accomplishments.

How can you improve for next year? You'll dramatically increase your chances if you can share your progress regarding where you were and how far you came due to the initiatives you put in place. Go for gold.

Get connected. Take advantage of opportunities to meet and connect with your fleet peers and suppliers.

The fleet industry is uniquely a collaborative and supportive group, which has been a major factor in my success. I have made amazing connections at industry events like NAFA I&E, GFX, and FLAGFA (a regional organization). Those other fleet managers you meet are probably going through the same thing you are and would love to talk about it with someone else.

Don't forget to connect with your suppliers or potential suppliers. Suppliers are constantly improving the services they offer, and you want to know what those improvements are, or you could be leaving money on the table. Also, your suppliers are there to help you. If you need help with something, ask. Connect with the people.

How the Industry Has Changed 

The biggest changes have been technological advancements that can assist fleets that weren't readily or as accessible 10 years ago. Whether it's telematics, cameras, diver inspection reporting, data available from manufacturers, automation processes, in-car driver notifications, smart sheets, and various systems applications to help manage your team or your projects.

I encourage fleet managers to evaluate all that's available. Many of these options have a quick return on investment. 

The fleet industry has been challenged to get creative in hiring due to the technician shortage. Most recently, we increased our recruitment strategies. We expanded our involvement with local schools and colleges by presenting information directly to students about the opportunities for working in the government fleet.

We also partnered with an organization that provides televised ASE technician skill competitions to advertise our hiring opportunities during competitions. Intern programs are also key.

Looking at What the Future Holds

Supply chain issues affecting parts, replacement vehicles, and equipment will continue for the next three to five years as manufacturers and suppliers continue to overcome challenges. Upfitters are also experiencing a bottleneck with an influx of deliveries. Fleets should continue to remain flexible and creative in their approaches to solving their challenges.

The technician shortage will also continue to be a challenge. While some schools are now starting to show a renewed interest in automotive and trades programs, there is a long way to go to meet the demand. Fleet professionals should advocate for returning these programs to schools and continue to get creative in recruitment strategies.

The need for experienced technicians exists, especially on the medium and heavy sides. Hiring veterans is another great market that should be tapped into. Some of the best fleet managers and technicians are veterans.