The complexities of fleet management – Fleet News promotion

Rory MacKinnon, Holman's commercial director, spoke to Fleet News about the subject of leadership in advance of the launch of the Fleet Excellence Insight Report.

The report, currently available on the Fleet News website, examines key issues - such as change and data management, procurement, and salary sacrifice - that fleet managers must work with to improve their operations.

The evolving role of a fleet manager

Just as the fleet sector exists in an ever-evolving state due to frequent shifts and developments in the business landscape, the position of fleet manager has been reinvented over the years as the complexities and demands of the role continue to grow.

As a result, the qualities and skills that are valued in the role are also subject to change and can be difficult to identify.

MacKinnon commented: “What I'm certainly seeing in our customer base these days and within our prospects is that fleet management is almost more of a project manager type role because of the various stakeholders that need to be involved and the various projects that are on the go at any one moment.”

Today’s fleet managers are frequently required to co-ordinate and ensure that various other departments in the business have signed off on their strategies – which the fleet manager must also develop – with any implementation likely involving drivers, suppliers or any other end users. This is further impacted by the various elements involved in fleet beyond simply the provision and running of vehicles.

“Because of carbon being such a big part of business reporting, because of cost being so important, because of employee happiness and safety being so important, you can't just be out trying to get the cheapest vehicles and keep them on the road as long as possible,” said MacKinnon.

“You've got other conflicting priorities all the time. It's become much more exciting for sure, and much more complex.”

The challenges of leadership

MacKinnon pointed to fleet as a crucial element of a business, noting that this places significant pressure on a fleet manager.  

"For a lot of businesses – certainly the businesses that Holman works with – fleet is probably one of the top three costs and one of the top three areas for them. Because it's vans, it's business critical – if they can't deliver the service to their customers, they're either paying penalties or it's costing them money in terms of revenue."

However, MacKinnon also noted that this position enables a fleet manager to demonstrate the value of fleet and their strategy to a wider business.

"It can also be used as a tool. So, if you're trying to reduce your emissions, the biggest emitters are probably vehicles within your fleet. If you can start to drive the emissions down through the fleet, it's probably the easiest way."

Holman's solutions

Holman is working to facilitate practical solutions to the challenges faced by today’s fleet managers, offering account managers with a rounded knowledge of different customers and the various solutions that exist in the market. In this way, Holman can offer systems, technology, business intelligence and analytics to provide effective assistance.

MacKinnon explained that the solutions that are offered by Holman have the benefit of being tried and tested.

“We’ve already got the experience, the skills and the tools to be able to go and support you with it.”

The importance of collaboration and information sharing

MacKinnon noted the need for fleet decision-makers to share their expertise, particularly in the context of the ever-evolving business landscape.

“The sharing of best practice is exceptionally important, especially for fleet managers that potentially are isolated within their own business, or for people that get into the role – and a lot of people do fall into being a fleet manager. Having peers and articles to go and learn from is hugely important. The more that we can facilitate that as an industry, the more people will come into it, develop, and have a great career.”

This article is a paid for partnership with Holman.

More on leadership with the Fleet Excellence Insight Report

The Fleet Excellence Insight Report is available now and can be read on the Fleet News website.

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