Pursuing knowledge to enhance your fleet

Staying educated on industry advancements can be one of the most important aspects of managing a fleet, as new technologies and products are constantly being introduced. With this rapid rate of change, it can be difficult and overwhelming for fleet managers to grasp and comprehend what is available to them. The bottom line challenge for fleet managers is to find resources to keep informed of industry trends and changes.??

One possible consequence of lagging behind the trends is an outdated, inefficient fleet.

Although the economy is recovering, many organizations are still expected to operate on a lean budget. Pressures continue to mount, leading to reduced operating and maintenance budget. Immediate cuts are often applied to training and education. Over time, cutting these programs may lead to long-term and far-reaching effects.

Successful fleet professionals need information, training and education to make their fleet operations as efficient as possible. As is true with most functions, upper management may not be aware of the day-to-day operations on the front line of fleet management. Often they view trade shows as having little value compared to the return on investment. It does take some guidance and well-crafted communication, but explaining and demonstrating value can often lead to some meeting of the minds.

Optimizing your use of time Just as with budget dollars, time is also a finite resource. Skillfully maximizing your time budget for work is an essential ability that must be acquired, and devising a well-thought plan can greatly enhance the advantages derived from work hours spent away from the office. Identifying crucial objectives and formulating a strategic approach is your most valuable asset in determining how to spend your work hours. For time spent away from the office, selecting the appropriate experience is pivotal in attaining the highest return on investment. It is imperative that you secure the utmost exposure to educational opportunities, industry and engineering connections, as well as peer-to-peer networking.

Work Truck Week 2024 Registration has opened for the Work Truck Week 2024. More than a trade show, North America’s largest work truck event will be held March 5 – 8 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more than two decades, fleet professionals responsible for designing, building, operating and maintaining commercial vehicles and equipment have come together to explore the industry's most current products and technology, exchange insights, and deliberate on ways to enhance the future. Concurrently, the Green Truck Summit, held Tuesday, March 5, delves into insights and solutions aimed at fostering heightened sustainability, productivity, and efficiency. This event features contributions from industry experts, government representatives, as well as fleet and vehicle and equipment manufacturers.

What started as a trade show has evolved into a one-of-a-kind experience that will allow fleet professionals to:

• Get up close to new equipment offerings from 500 exhibitors
• Hear truck OEM plans and upfitter solutions
• Identify operational improvement strategies
• Optimize commercial vehicle design and specification
• Evaluate vendors’ latest offerings
• Find new business opportunities and ways to stay competitive
• Collaborate with management, product, and engineering teams
• Gain perspectives on advanced vehicle technology adoption

Registration and information can be found at https://www.worktruckweek.com/.

(Published in October 2023 issue of Fleet Affiliation.)