Listening to Learn

Build loyalty and instill confidence in your truck drivers by lending an ear

Drivers are the most valuable assets for your fleet. Are you listening to what they have to say?

As a fleet owner, you have a variety of responsibilities – and providing support for your drivers is chief among them. In order to retain your best drivers, it’s important to answer their questions, address their concerns and find solutions for any problems that may arise.

Three questions to ask your drivers today:

How’s Life on the Road?

It’s a simple question, but one that can reveal a great deal about how drivers are navigating their daily routine. Building a rapport with your drivers will make them feel valued and appreciated. Keep your drivers motivated by inviting them to share their views from behind the wheel. What are they hearing from customers or their fellow drivers? Have they seen potential areas of improvement? Everyone in your fleet benefits from working with the same pool of information.

Do you Feel Safe?

Drivers must contend with aggressive motorists, customer deadlines and a series of other obstacles on the road. Driver safety is a key issue and it’s imperative that you help your drivers avoid hazards while still making timely deliveries. Certain circumstances, like bad weather or road blockages, are beyond your control. But there are other ways to ensure your drivers’ wellbeing and help them get home safe. Encourage healthy habits – getting proper sleep, exercising, eating right – so that your drivers feel rested and refreshed.

What Might Help You Do Your Job Better?

The trucking industry has evolved with the introduction of new technologies. In the past, all drivers needed was a notebook and a pencil to travel their route, complete their daily logs and share documents. Now they have access to GPS, cell phones and other forms of technology that should make their jobs easier. These new capabilities are designed to improve upon existing processes – but drivers may also experience difficulties in adapting to changes in their routines. Ask them about how they’re using technology and what challenges they face in doing so.

And finally, a question to ask yourself…

How Can You Encourage Employee Feedback?

To get your drivers to start talking to you, they need to feel comfortable. Check in with your drivers on a regular basis so that they feel involved in the overall success of your fleet.

And remember, listening is just the first step in the process. You’ll need to respond directly to comments and questions so that drivers feel like their voices are being heard. Start by creating surveys or soliciting feedback via email or whichever method of communication works best for your fleet. This will tell drivers that you’re open to suggestions and can take action when necessary.

Always try to be accessible and you’ll gather information that you can use to help improve the operations of your entire fleet – which in turn can boost morale and productivity. Motivating your drivers to contribute will increase the likelihood that they will stay with your fleet for the long haul.

Are you a Fleet Owner looking to grow your trucking business but limited with current financing options?

We can help you get paid faster for loads delivered and protect your fleet from lost revenue.

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