The Fleet Code

Future of Fleet is a series where we spotlight leaders in fleet who are pushing the industry forward. In this episode of The Fleet Code, we dive into the future of autonomous vehicles (AVs) with special guests from Isuzu and Gatik to explore their partnership aimed at revolutionizing middle-mile logistics through self-driving technology.

This episode uncovers the current state of AV technology, the strategic focus on middle-mile routes, and the safety considerations that are paramount in making this technology viable for fleets. Whether you're curious about the practical applications of AVs today or wondering how they might impact your fleet in the future, this episode offers valuable insights and expert advice on navigating this transformative trend.

View a transcription and show notes for this episode here ->

Takeaways from this episode:

• The current application, middle-mile logistics, is paving the way to more advanced or intricate applications.
• When deciding which new and emerging technologies to add to your fleet, you need to first consider what problems need to be solved in your fleet.
• Even in the AV landscape, your job remains the same: maximize the profitability of your fleet operation while promoting a culture of safety.

Guests:

• Adam Campbell, Senior Manager of Safety, Innovation and Impact, Gatik
• Brian Tabel, Assistant VP of Marketing, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America

Additional Links and Resources:

• About the Gatik + Isuzu Partnership (press release)
• The Importance of Understanding Different Fleet Technologies (blog)
• How Fleets can Take Advantage of Incoming Automotive Technologies (blog)

In this episode of The Fleet Code, we explore the ramifications of the recent CrowdStrike outage that halted operations across various sectors, from airlines to hospitals. As a fleet, the only way to "prepare" for these events is to have a plan defined and ready to go into action.

The episode covers essential steps for fleet managers, including implementing robust backup systems, maintaining manual reporting processes, and establishing effective communication channels – not to mention the importance of self-care and teamwork during challenging times. Tune in to get actionable steps and expert advice on safeguarding your fleet from future outages.

Takeaways from this episode:

• Above all else, make sure the environment is safe for your team to operate in
• Implement and test your data backups to reduce the chance of a long-term impact to your fleet
• Have a plan in place, as well as resources to help implement the plan, so your team knows exactly what to do
• Establish communication channels early so that you can keep your team updated on the latest
• And last, but absolutely not least, make sure you take care of yourself

Additional Links and Resources:

• Preparing Your Fleet for Crisis (white paper)
• 8 Essential Elements to Include in Your Fleet Safety Policy (blog)

It's hard to identify opportunities for improvement when you're in the trenches. There are so many responsibilities involved with managing a fleet, that you can often feel like you’re doing well by just staying afloat. In this episode, we explore some of the steps that fleet managers can take in order to step back, analyze their current systems and make a measurable difference in their fleet operations.

In this episode, Bill Spare with the Town of Apex discusses the importance of taking a step back, assessing the current state of the fleet, and understanding the experiences of long-term employees before making significant changes.

Question: What would you say is your number one responsibility as a fleet manager? Send us an email and your response could be featured on a future podcast episode or blog post.

Guest this Episode: Bill Spare, Town of Apex

Takeaways from this episode:

• Before implementing changes, take the time to assess the current state of your fleet by conducting one-on-one interviews with staff and understanding their experiences and concerns.
• Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the effectiveness of your strategies, such as controlling fleet costs and improving maintenance adherence, to ensure your efforts are making a tangible impact.
• Attend conferences and network with industry peers to stay informed about the latest trends and technologies, helping you to continuously improve your fleet management practices.

Additional Links and Resources:

• 2024 Fleet Benchmarking Report (report)
• 6 Fleet Management KPIs to Target (blog)
• Fleet Management Conferences (list)
• 11 Ways to Improve Fleet Efficiency (blog)

Budgets are often the bane of many fleet managers' existence. They're complex and time consuming, and often lead to a lot of questions and pushback from your leadership team. However, when viewed the right way, your budget allows you to prove your impact as a fleet manager. In this episode, we break down all of the expense categories that fleets should be tracking and provide tips on how to improve your budget adherence as you enter the new year.

Question: For fleet managers, what are some big budgeting wins that you've had in your career? Where have you found places to reduce your fleet costs? Send us an email and your response could be featured on a future podcast episode or blog post.

Takeaways from this episode:

• The fleet is often viewed as a cost center. By adhering to your expense forecasts, you can set expectations around the costs affecting your fleet and reduce this stigma.
• Categorizing your fleet expenses allows you to identify opportunities for improvement when it comes to budget adherence in 2024.
• Being under-, at- or over-budget should not be viewed as a success or failure. Rather, i should be viewed as an opportunity to improve yourself and your fleet.

Additional Links and Resources:

• Building a Fleet Budget 101 (white paper)
• Fleet Management Cost Analysis (blog)
• 7 Ways to Reduce Fleet Costs (blog)
• Fleet Expense Management Software (solution)

Fleet management has historically been a career reserved for maintenance technicians who decided they were ready to crawl out from under the hood of a vehicle. However, with technology advancements, there are many young people who are finding their start in fleet management because of their willingness to leverage software and data to track maintenance and improve processes.

In this episode, we sit down with Carlos Romero of C&C Complete Service to learn about his recent interviewing experience and see what tips he has for somebody who is trying to become a first-time fleet manager.

Question: For fleet managers (or people hiring fleet managers), what did your interview experience look like? Send us an email and your response could be featured on a future podcast episode or blog post.

Guest this Episode: Carlos Romero, C&C Complete Service

Takeaways from this episode:

• The right fleet management role for you might not even exist yet. Sometimes you have to convince an organization that they need somebody to manage their fleet.
• Leverage the interview setting to learn about an organization's current system and speak to past experiences to show that you understand their scenario.
• Take advantage of any learning opportunities that exist - newsletters, fleet management associations, podcasts and more.

Additional Links and Resources:

• The First 90 Days for a New Fleet Manager (podcast)
• Key Skills, Challenges & Responsibilities of a Fleet Manager (blog)
• Building a Fleet Management Skillset (webinar)
• Fleet Management Associations (list)
• Fleetio's Resource Library

As of Friday, September 22 at noon, the UAW announced their decision to extend the footprint of their strike against the "Big Three" automakers – General Motors, Stellantis and Ford. In this episode, we look into why the UAW union members are striking, as well as the potential impact it could have on your fleet from a parts and vehicle purchasing standpoint.

How are you preparing your fleet for the potential impact of the UAW strike? Send us an email and your response could be featured on a future podcast episode or blog post.

Takeaways from this episode:

• While the strike might not have large scale implications yet, fleet managers should always look at news like this through the lens of a future impact and take steps to reduce the impact to your fleet.
• Your fleet management strategy should be especially flexible and proactive: (1.) predict which critical parts you will need soon and go ahead and build up your stock (2.) identify which vehicles are nearing end of life and look into procuring replacements or reducing their utilization.

Resources for fleet managers:

• Government Fleet: How Will UAW Strike Affect New, Used, and Rental Vehicles?
• How to Maintain Aging Fleet Vehicles [Blog]
• 8 Best Practices for Parts Inventory Management [Blog]

With inflation and economic uncertainty, companies are looking for ways to reduce their operating expenses. While many of the costs associated with fleet are unavoidable, there are some steps that fleets can take to control their costs of operation and improve their bottom line. In this episode, we talk with Tim Denny of Onward Fleet Solutions, fleet industry veteran and founder of a fleet management company, to learn what fleets should expect in the coming months and to hear some of the tips he's providing to current customers in anticipation of restricted budgets.

Guest this Episode:

Tim Denny, Founder and CEO, Onward Fleet Solutions

Takeaways from our conversation with Tim:

1. Let your fleet's data guide your decision making.

2. Stay communicative and transparent with those around you.

3. You might have to try new things to see positive change.

4. Set clear and measurable goals to gauge your success.

Additional Links and Resources:

• The True Total Cost of Ownership for Fleets (Download)
• 7 Ways to Reduce Fleet Costs (Blog)
• Start Tracking Your Fleet Expenses (Tool)
• Try Fleetio for Free

Success in fleet management might be obvious for those in fleet, but difficult to comprehend for people outside of fleet. If you're looking to grow your fleet operations, you need to be able to clearly communicate the status of your fleet with stakeholders in leadership positions. In this episode, we talk with fleet veteran, Bob Polka of Treeways, to learn about his relationship with the c-suite and steps he has taken to keep them involved in fleet decisions.

Guest this Episode:

• Bob Polka, Director of Fleet Operations, Treeways

Takeaways from our conversation with Bob:

1. Think about your operation from the perspective of your key stakeholders.

2. Have regular meetings to keep everybody informed.

3. Leverage technology to make your data accessible.

4. Know which metrics matter and focus on high-visibility areas of your fleet.

5. Be confident in yourself and the knowledge you have.

Additional Links and Resources:

• Masters of Fleet: Basic Principles of Fleet Management
• Understanding Fleet Data (Blog Series)
• Fleet Management KPIs to Target (Blog)

Michael D. Watkins describes The First 90 Days as a make or break period for new managers. During this time, opinions are created that will likely carry throughout the rest of your time in that organization. In this episode of The Fleet Code, we sat down with two of Fleetio's own, who both come from fleet management roles. Jon Hinkle and Mike Eldredge share some of their learned lessons from their times in fleet, as well as advice for new fleet managers who are searching for ways to make a positive impact.

Guest this Episode:

Jon Hinkle, Customer Success Manager, Fleetio

Mike Eldredge, Customer Success Manager, Fleetio

Takeaways from our conversation with Jon & Mike:

1. Listen to your people to build trust and understand their issues.

2. Ask targeted questions to figure out what you don't yet know.

3. Build processes and metrics to help you track your progress.

4. Share your discoveries with the team.

5. Identify and support other leaders on your team.

Additional Links and Resources:

90-Day Plan for Fleet Managers (PDF)

The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins (Book)

How to Audit Your Fleet's Performance (Blog)

Find the ROI of Fleet Management Software (Tool)

From harsh winters to swarms of insects, each season brings a new challenge for fleet managers trying to ensure continued safety and productivity within their fleet. In this episode of The Fleet Code, we sat down with James Shelton of Jiffy Lube International to gather some tangible actions that fleet managers can take to prepare their fleet for each passing season.

Guest this Episode:

James Shelton, Technical Field Support Manager, Jiffy Lube International

Takeaways from our conversation with James:

1. When in doubt, refer to the owner's manual.

2. Seasonality preparedness is about more than just temperature swings.

3. Talk to others to learn about the unique challenges of your geographic region.

Additional Links and Resources:

• Free Fleet Maintenance Spreadsheet Template (Download)
• Preparing Your Fleet for Crisis (White Paper)
• How Driver Input Enhances Fleet Safety Policies (Blog)