The field of transportation or fleet management is projected to grow up to 9% in the next decade and can be a highly lucrative career. It is a great job for those with strong organizational skills and who enjoy working with the public.
But managing commercial vehicles can be tricky unless you know the nuts and bolts of the business. Here are the basics of the best practices for planning a career in fleet management.
Create Your Management Plan
Every successful business needs a strong plan, and fleet management is no exception.
Research your market, your potential customer base, and your driving team. You will also need to forecast the financial outlook for your business and build a solid marketing plan.
Weighing the financial costs against the growth potential of your business can help you determine your risk and build a solid roadmap to success.
Building Your Fleet
Acquiring the right kind of vehicles for your fleet is essential for your business to succeed.
Consider the intended use for your vehicle. For example, is your fleet strictly passenger vehicles, or will the vehicles be used for carrying products? Make a list of needs, including size, carrying capacity, routing, and terrain needs.
A good rule of thumb is to always consider the smallest vehicle necessary for the job. This can equal valuable savings in fuel costs.
Tracking and Maintaining Your Fleet
Your fleet is a valuable asset, and you need to maintain and track your vehicles to protect your profits.
Properly maintaining your vehicles saves time and money in the long run. Consider hiring a fleet inspector to run preventive maintenance, such as oil changes, engine cleanings, and tire checks.
Regular driver reports can also help, as they spend the most time with the vehicles and can let you know when problems are just arising.
Consider using a device for fleet tracking to help you know when your vehicles need to be repaired. Devices, such as those found at linxup.com, can be installed on the vehicles to help detect problems early.
A proactive fleet management system will save money in the long run by allowing problems to be fixed before they get critical, saving you from costly downtime.
Understand Your Insurance Needs
Develop the best strategy for protecting your assets while keeping costs low by understanding your insurance needs.
Begin by understanding your state’s requirements for the minimum amount of liability you must have, and then build from there.
Consider factors such as risks associated with your particular type of vehicle, quotes from different insurers, and types of fleet insurance coverage available.
Recruit and Train Drivers
Finally, set up a plan for hiring drivers with a clean driving record and experience in fleet transportation. Plan on providing regular training for drivers, especially ones that remind them of the dangers of distracted drivers.
Drive Your Future
Fleet management can be a rewarding and lucrative career choice with proper planning. In today’s fast-paced world, reliable transportation is always in high demand.
For more informative articles, from business to technology, and so much more, be sure to check out more of our articles. We cover what is important in your life!
