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Fleet Managers Build Trust Through Transparency
Transparency and open systems embraced by fleet management
We are living in a world where the consumer is in control and choices are based on more than the bottom line. It seems more and more companies are focusing on internal culture in a way that presents a positive image because they know that brand is built from the inside out. Corporations are spending time and money to improve the ways in which their employees are treated so they can maintain the talent that exists and attract the talent that they have yet to discover. The conversation continues to be about honesty and trust, and the trucking industry is listening. Fleet managers and owners are striving to build an open environment and transparency in the trucking industry, in ways that have never existed in order to build strong relationships with their employees as well as honest collaboration with customers, partners and vendors.
The ELD mandate is an example of transparency in the workflow and while it may seem to some like a hindrance, it is actually a great benefit to drivers and fleet managers alike. The digital tools that the industry is using to manage and track hours, movement and loads is of growing interest, and these tools and strategies are being applied in every aspect of business including fleet payment solutions which is a substantial benefit not only to drivers, but to vendors and partners as well. Today’s fleets are provided payroll systems and cards that allow contractors and employees immediate access to funds. The EFS Smart Funds Card is beneficial to fleet managers in knowing when and where money is being spent while drivers can use it anywhere in the EFS truck stop network. The card can also be used to administer driver pay and contractor settlement. These types of financial tools are making the industry more productive and efficient than ever before.
In the not too distant past, the national and international trucking and transportation industries were rampant with corruption from bribery. Drivers and fleet managers were forced to pay bribes for reasons that included overloaded trucks, traffic violations, lack of proper documents and permits or use of alcohol by truck drivers. Today, with electronic controls and automation in place, things have changed dramatically.
Below are some of the systems that were implemented to address transparency. They are the foundation for the work that companies like EFS look to as they continue to develop even more robust forms of transparency within financial controls and fleet payment systems.
 Transparency through open systems and networks started here
- Computerized network of transport offices across the country.
- Online Registration of vehicles and permit facility
- Outsourcing of services for registration and fitness certificates
- Independent and decentralized cooperation
- National and International compliances and regulations
- Improved Infrastructure through more expressways and bypasses
This structure shows that we have come a long way. Today, companies are looking at transparencies for their human resources as well as their digital resources. Teamwork is most productive where there is trust and transparency in the approach and the messaging.
The top 3 areas where transparency is most important
- BRAND: Articulate and solid brand platform – this platform will act as a foundation for the brand communications to ensure executives, fleet managers and drivers have a clear understanding of what the company stands for and are able to make decisions in context with real meaning. It will also help to foster a healthy and positive culture.
- COMMUNICATIONS: Clear and honest communications – share information with all parties involved in real-time to ensure everyone is on the same page and can make informed decisions. Teamwork is most productive where there is trust and transparency in approach and the messaging.
- TECHNOLOGY: Open systems and software – whether it is financial management, project management or the day-to-day drivers records, we have turned to software for help. It is clear that these systems and products help to mitigate human error and create efficiencies in the process, but they also offer access to the information for everyone involved providing a clear and consistent expectations.
A surge in on-line shopping, a growing and global marketplace combined with significant growth in trade has forced the trucking industry to become more and more competitive.
While trucking companies are obviously the experts in transportation and logistics, they look to companies like EFS to bring expertise, transparency and efficiencies to fleet payment solutions. A big part of EFS business is based on transparency and the ability to see and manage transactions. The ability to provide data management and tracking as well as visibility for the fleet manager, drivers and partners has become integrated into practically all of the company’s business offerings. They would claim that the ultimate truth in business is in the payment and they would not be wrong.
Adopting these new strategies and products has been an advantage to the growth and competitive strength of trucking companies across the nation. Due to the rising demands of online consumers, some larger transportation and logistics companies are looking at more than a partnership. Companies like UPS and FEDEX are actually acquiring partners for the specific expertise that will help them with their own growth strategies and success. A surge in online shopping, a growing urban and global marketplace combined with significant growth in trade has forced the trucking industry to become more and more competitive. Reaching out to companies that can make fleet payment solutions a seamless effort has become one of the main competitive advantages.
By offering payment platforms operating in distributed, virtualized and transparent environments with redundant and divergent networks, a company like EFS can provide flexibility in approach and complete visibility in the process. This scalable and unique system’s architecture can enable customized applications with a mission to improve performance both internally and externally. With this kind of partner expertise, it is fair to say that transparency and open environments have pushed the trucking industry toward innovation that is good for profitability and even better in customer and team satisfaction — proving that it is not always about the money, but that the money will follow.
Resources:
https://www.transparency.org/news/pressrelease/20070131_rampant_corruption_in_trucking_operations
http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/the-power-of-transparency/
http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/the-power-of-transparency/