MENU
SEARCHIt's Driver Appreciation Week. But to really appreciate drivers, it takes a lot more than T-shirts, hats and picnics one week out of the year. One of the most important keys to appreciating -- and keeping -- good drivers is through good communication.
It's Driver Appreciation Week. But to really appreciate drivers, it takes a lot more than T-shirts, hats and picnics one week out of the year. One of the most important keys to appreciating -- and keeping -- good drivers is through good communication.
FleetRisk Advisors recently put together a list of tips for effective communication between fleet managers and their drivers.
In journalism, we have what we call the "Five W's (and H)" of writing a story: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. FleetRisk Advisors' list follows a very similar outline:
The relationship between fleet managers and drivers is crucial to the safety, productivity and satisfaction of the driver, and profitability of the entire fleet. Fleet managers that opt to implement a more people-centric approach to driver management will foster a culture of achievement and driver retention.
Regular and proactive communication is essential to fostering a positive relationship between fleet managers and drivers. Managers should be prepared to have open and honest discussions with their drivers, learn more about their daily lives and examine their satisfaction. In some cases, regular, proactive communication can prevent a talented driver from walking away from his or her job.
Because communication between fleet managers and drivers should not be purely transactional. Fleet managers who take the time to personally communicate with drivers in a targeted and efficient manner will help improve driver safety, productivity and overall job satisfaction.
As the saying goes, timing is everything! Talking to the right driver, about the right topic, at the right time increases the likelihood of a fleet manager being able to pinpoint an at-risk driver, and intervene with a proactive conversation that could prevent a potentially negative event.
The way fleet managers approach drivers greatly affects the result of their conversations. Using a positive and constructive tone when speaking with drivers naturally leads to better results and cements the fact that drivers are valuable assets.
There's one "W" missing here: Where. And the answer to that should be, at your fleet.
TaaS. Does that mean trucks as a service, trailers as a service, or tires as a service? HDT's Deborah Lockridge has another takeaway from the Technology & Maintenance Council meeting in her blog.
Read More →
HDT's Deborah Lockridge on how the trucking industry has moved toward "vertical integration" over the past 25 years.
Read More →
HDT Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge is a longtime Girl Scout leader and loves to connect her passion for inspiring girls with her love of the trucking industry.
Read More →
No matter who wins the election, trucking continues to work to educate the people who pass the laws and make the rules that affect the industry. HDT's Deborah Lockridge shares insights from two major trucking associations in her All That's Trucking blog.
Read More →
Skimping on vacation may be the worst thing you can do for your business, your career, and your mental health. In her All That's Trucking blog, Deborah Lockridge writes about the importance of giving your brain what it needs to be innovative.
Read More →
See what happened when a truck driver found an unexpected stowaway during his pre-trip inspection.
Read More →
Read Deborah Lockridge's picks for the most significant stories we covered at HDT in 2023: freight recession, zero-emission trucks, drivers and marijuana, and more.
Read More →
HDT's Deborah Lockridge talks about key themes that emerged during sessions, conversations, and on the show floor during the American Trucking Associations' annual management conference.
Read More →
In her All That's Trucking blog, Deborah Lockridge shares a follow-up to last year's story about a FedEx Ground contractor who was very publicly challenging the company about alleged unfair treatment of its contractors.
Read More →
Curiosity about how Girl Scout cookies get from the factory to the customer drove the development of a supply patch program. HDT's Deborah Lockridge, a Girl Scout herself, writes about it in her All That's Trucking blog.
Read More →
