Covid has redefined working strategies for many, with employers being forced to adapt to ongoing government regulations massively. The requirement for higher cleaning standards in all industries has meant more staffing hours for an improved duty of care, with social distancing and hygiene rules in the workplace now more vital for health and safety than ever before.
Logistics firms have had an incredibly challenging time, as travel bans over the pandemic have played a role in the recent UK-wide supply crisis. Lockdown restrictions have meant fewer on-site staffing numbers, with Covid-related illnesses also factoring into these shortages. While most firms have been forced to implement homeworking or hybrid working for their staff, this strategy is much less efficient within the logistics industry, particularly for fleet drivers, as homeworking is simply not applicable.
Business success in the logistics sector is mainly dependant on the firm’s ability to transport goods from one location to another, in line with client expectations, so if there are fewer drivers available to transport, then productivity will be negatively affected. With the ongoing pandemic causing fleet organisations to become much less efficient, here are a few considerations to boost productivity.
Use Digital Tracking Tools
With productivity lessened in the logistics economy due to the pandemic, those who own a logistics firm should consider fleet tracking. Overseeing all drivers within your firm can be a daunting task to oversee, but fleet tracking software can help keep this simple. Software like the option from FleetGO is one of the most powerful tools in modern fleet management and working in conjunction with cloud or mobile applications gives you an interactive live map to keep track of your fleet in real-time.
Using fleet tracking can help ensure legal compliance and identify if your company is at risk. Knowing you can visually determine where your drivers are in real-time and reliably having access to all the information you need as a fleet manager will allow you to manage other responsibilities while maintaining maximum efficiency for your business.
Maintain Regular Internal Communication With Drivers
Keeping up regular communications with your fleet drivers can play a vital role in company morale. Consider taking even a few minutes at regular intervals to ask drivers how they are while on long drives. This can help maintain great spirits, which in turn can boost customer service.
There are also benefits to using digital means to keep fleet workers in the loop with industry updates, such as a company newsletter. This can be especially useful for relaying any amendments to compliance issues that may be vital in their daily routine.
Implement Automation Technology For Cost Efficiency
A practical method to reduce operational costs is automating business communications. In all businesses, evolving technology has helped streamline staffing needs, thereby boosting workplace efficiency, as the need for additional support staff, such as HR and payroll, can be implemented through electronic means. To gain maximum efficiency, businesses should consider unlocking the benefits of automation in a Covid world.
In the logistics economy, helpful tech can provide real-time updates for different means. Through analysis can improve practices and allow faster client updates and timely reports on operations, from manual labour to automation. Practical applications can assist with fleet and inventory management, which can be especially useful for situations, such as a client reporting non-delivery of goods, as there will be a digital footprint to analyse what happened.
Consider Leasing Business Vehicles Over Buying Outright
One of the biggest issues for fleet managers is ensuring that you always use the right vehicles for the job and that they are running efficiently. If you own your vehicles outright, then you will have to arrange for their sale every time you want to upgrade. A great alternative to buying vehicles for your fleet is to lease them. Many companies offer organisations the chance to lease vehicles at a competitive rate. The cost depends on appreciation of the vehicle over the time you and your team use it.
When the lease is up, you can return the vehicle and upgrade to a newer model with cutting-edge features. While buying business vehicles can sometimes be a more cost-effective strategy for some business leaders, leasing can eliminate the hassle of selling company vehicles when there is a need to upgrade; you may also be able to negotiate specific terms as part of your lease agreement, such as repairs. So, you could find that leasing vehicles saves you a lot of time, effort and money. Explore the options to find the best one for you.
Fleet managers have a lot of work to do to keep the business landscape running. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to explore to save you time and effort. Using these strategies should help maximise productivity and efficiency within your business and boost long-term success as a result.
