By
Team Writer
/ May 18, 2017
The best fleet managers are “jugglers.” They need to balance everything to make the fleet program work efficiently. Drivers want one thing, suppliers suggest something else, management has a variety of focus areas (fuel economy, safety, depreciation, image, etc.), and everyone is an expert about which manufacturer makes the best product. The great fleet managers are those who are able to juggle these demands. As one fleet manager said, if you are not capable of juggling 18 chainsaws at once, your time as a fleet manager will be limited.
Key Takeaways:
- Most fleet managers will say they simultaneously practice both tactical and strategic fleet management.
- There is a difference between a well-managed fleet and a best-in-class fleet.
- A tactical fleet manager may be well suited to operate a well-managed fleet, but you need a strategic perspective to operate a best-in-class fleet, which transcends day-to-day fleet management.
“A strategic fleet manager is goal oriented, who practices management by objective, while, a tactical fleet manager resolves issues as they arise.”