FleetManagementWeekly AmeriFleet
September 20, 2016

FOLLOW US

Editor's Analysis & Top Industry News


Safety, Safety, Safety

“If you want safety, start with driver behavior.” A bit of clear, simple, but very wise advice from Donlen’s Tom Callahan, whom we feature in today’s first video.

Speaking of safety, make sure you also check out today’s Safety & Risk column, from Driving Dynamics Simulation Training Manager Mike Griffin: “Discovery Learning and Practicing the Un-Practicable Benefits of Instructor-Led Driving Simulation Safety Training”

We’ve also got a great video from AmeriFleet’s Kathy Massey on the fantastic sensitivity and grace her company brings to the table when picking up vehicles from terminated employees. It’s a tricky situation, but one AmeriFleet knows how to do right.

We’re coming to you this week from AFLA’s Annual Conference in San Diego, where we’re seeing some old friends, meeting some new ones, and listening to some great speakers. Even if you weren’t able to make it to AFLA, we urge you to watch Cyber Security – Live Streaming from AFLA tomorrow at 9:45 am Pacific (12:45 pm Eastern).

Ted Roberts
President


Thought Leadership

Fleet Marketing – Guiding principles for fleet providers to improve marketing and increase sales.

Fleet Asset Management – Best practices for work truck management.

On Accident Management Learn ways to save money on your fleet’s collision repair costs.

Safety & Risk — Impactful driver safety and risk management tools and techniques.

The Fleet CX Toolbox – Solid steps to implementing and improving fleet customer experience.

The Sustainable Fleet – Strategic approaches to bring about a smarter, cleaner fleet.

BIG Data. BIG Results. BIG Future– We look at harnessing big data to achieve big results using cutting edge technology.

Talent Management – Smart guidelines to help you manage the talent in your workplace.

TCO Trends – Expert View — A global look at fleet total cost of ownership trends.


callahan-tom

VIDEO: If You Want Safety, Start with Driver Behavior

Donlen is keenly focused on using telematics to encourage driver safety.



VIDEO: Picking Up Vehicles from Terminated Employees
massey-kathy
  Handling Terminations Differently, with Sensitivity and Grace
 

Whether large or small, terminations are handled differently at AmeriFleet – and they are always with great sensitivity.


VIDEO: Expert Resources
saltzgiver-steve
  Seasoned Mentors for Fleet Managers
 

The experts at Mercury Associates are able to act as seasoned mentors for fleet managers, providing extra resources when necessary to help get important projects completed.





The Fleet Spot


AFLA 2016 conference Cyber Security | Live Streaming from AFLA

The cyber-security of vehicles is a real concern for all of us in the automotive industry. Mark your calendars to join AFLA from your home, desk or mobile device as we live stream this important session from our 2016 Annual Conference in San Diego.

Wednesday, September 21 | 9:45 – 10:45 AM PDT

Current State of Vehicle Security

Vehicle electrical systems are becoming more and more sophisticated every day. As vehicle manufacturers race to add new features, what are they doing, if anything, to secure these systems from local and remote attacks? At AFLA 2016, Robert Leale of CanBusHack.com will discuss how these systems are being secured and how they are being hacked.

READ MORE

leaseplan LeasePlan appoints CEO Tex Gunning and COO Marco van Kalleveen

After two outstanding decades with LeasePlan, Vahid Daemi has decided to retire and step down as Chief Executive Officer. LeasePlan’s Chief Operating Officer Sven-Torsten Huster will also step down after six successful years on LeasePlan’s Managing Board.

New Chief Executive Officer Tex Gunning has extensive experience in supporting large global companies through to their next stage of development. He worked in global positions for Unilever for more than 25 years. His last role at Unilever was Business Group President in Asia. Furthermore he gained broad management experience at companies like Vedior, AkzoNobel and TNT Express.

New Chief Operating Officer Marco van Kalleveen has management experience on a global level as a partner of McKinsey and in senior positions at Bain Capital and TNT Express.

READ MORE

ed-dubens eDriving Provides RoadRISK® Assessment Tool For Drive Safely Work Week™

PR Newswire
pictured: Ed Dubens, eDriving

eDriving is proud to provide the free RoadRISK® assessment tool for Drive Safely Work Week™ 2016 (DSWW).

The proactive driver risk assessment is designed to help drivers assess their probability of being involved in an incident or collision and is available as part of a free, comprehensive online toolkit that can be downloaded at www.trafficsafety.org.

The toolkit is designed to help employers plan for the annual workplace safe driving campaign that takes place October 3-7 and is targeted to all employees—company drivers and commuters alike.

READ MORE

ARI Logo ARI Announces Several New Appointments to Provide Additional Leadership and Strategic Sales Support Throughout North America

ARI announced a series of additions to its sales organization that will help to support the company’s strategic vision and continued growth in the fleet management marketplace.

The new appointments include Craig Pierce, who joins ARI as director of sales, along with Stephen Perkins, who will serve as vice president, sales and assistant general manager for ARI Canada. Additionally, Craig DeCarlo, Joe Henry and Buck Whitman have been named district sales managers.

READ MORE

Safety & Risk

Discovery Learning and Practicing the Un-Practicable Benefits of Instructor-Led Driving Simulation Safety Training

By Mike Griffin, Simulation Training Manager, Driving Dynamics

As a simulation training designer and instructor, I have had the privilege of watching many students in simulator driver safety training navigate the scenarios I’ve developed—scenarios designed to emulate real-world challenges occurring every day on the road.

Properly designed simulator-based safety courses place drivers in a variety of realistic, relatable, hazardous traffic situations. The Discovery Learning process takes hold as trainees are challenged to make real-time decisions and proficiently execute corrective actions. They become keenly aware of the consequences of their decisions and subsequent actions. Any missteps reveal painful outcomes and have significant impact—personalizing results and motivating students to seek effective, safe resolutions.

The goal of the Discovery Learning process is to help drivers gain confidence and skills in identifying potential hazards sooner, and to competently initiate corrective actions to remedy these situations based on well-practiced decision making capabilities.

READ MORE

 
A Smart New App

PARS has added a mobile app for its drivers giving PARS customers access to real-time order information and detailed vehicle condition reports through the PARS customer portal.

According to Erik Rasmussen, PARS Director of Strategic Operations, today’s fleet managers face much shorter decision time frames and more complicated moves involving large numbers of vehicles, coordination between multiple fleet service providers; varied vehicle services, and numerous logistical concerns.

“Our mobile app will not only provide important order details and tools optimizing PARS driver efficiency and accuracy,” notes Rasmussen, “but it provides customers with the most accurate and timely information about their orders and vehicle condition, allowing better decision making and optimized fleet management.”

READ MORE

 
Talent Management

Calm Your Customer With Basic Counseling Skills

By Mike Cieri, MSIR, Vice President of Mardac Consultants

Last month, we examined “Being aware of your personal perceptions, biases, and reactions”. Today, we’ll look at ways to calm the customer.

The following four-step process can be extremely effective in handling a difficult customer:

  1. Be aware of your personal perceptions, biases, and reactions.
  2. Calm the customer with basic counseling skills.
  3. Diagnose and analyze the situation.
  4. Work with the customer to develop an action plan for solving the identified problem.

PART 2: Calm the customer with basic counseling skills.

A difficult customer will not behave calmly and rationally until he or she has vented the underlying emotions. Three counseling skills may help you to facilitate this venting and then to establish rapport with the customer.

READ MORE








Fleet Trends & Issues


Glut Belies Risk From OPEC’s Dwindling Output Cushion

The Detroit News

As most of the world focuses on how unfettered oil production will weigh on prices, a few say a rebound is on the cards as the market starts to reflect a growing risk of shortages.

OPEC’s strategy of keeping its taps open is leaving a smaller cushion if there’s an unexpected need for more oil. The group’s spare capacity has dwindled to the least since 2008, U.S. government data show, while global spending cuts have diminished prospects for new output.

Crude may jump more than 35 percent from current levels as the possibility of a supply squeeze begins to get priced in, according to Citigroup Inc.and trader Gunvor Group.

READ MORE

Distracted Driving Is Now an Epidemic in the U.S.

Fortune

We all think we’re safe drivers—but we’re all lying, according to new data.

The perception that distracted driving is now an epidemic in this country—even though we all consider ourselves to be safe behind the wheel—just got more confirmation from new data compiled by auto insurer Everquote.

U.S. fatalities from traffic accidents rose 7.2% last year to 35,092—the largest increase in 50 years—and distracted driving played a role in 10% of those deaths, according National Highway Traffic Safety Administration figures released last month.

READ MORE

This Is Why Cars Are Safer Than Ever

Road & Track

In crash testing it’s called time zero: the moment an accident begins.

When we think about vehicle safety, we tend to think about what happens after time zero. Crumple zones engage. Seat belts cinch tight. Airbags erupt. And after the violence ends, ideally the passenger cell remains intact, the humans inside unharmed. Those fractions of a second at the onset of an impact are crucial.

But so are the ones that come before it. And the quest for safer cars runs in two directions—not just surviving a crash but trying to stop the clock before it ever gets to time zero.

READ MORE

Finger-Pointing: Tesla and Mobileye Shift Blame Over Autopilot Problems

The Detroit Bureau

With one death clearly linked to the semi-autonomous Autopilot system and investigations underway in connection with several other crashes, one fatal, battery-carmaker Tesla has found itself under the microscope.

So has Mobileye, the Israeli tech start-up that has been providing the camera-on-a-chip system used on Tesla Model S and X battery-electric vehicles.

Following the revelation of the first fatal Autopilot crash, Tesla and Mobileye announced they were parting ways, and that separation is growing anything but amicable.

READ MORE

New Executive Director at NETS

The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), the public-private partnership dedicated exclusively to reducing traffic crashes both on and off the job, has announced the selection of Joseph L. McKillips as its new executive director.

McKillips will fill the vacancy created by Jack Hanley’s retirement from the role he held since 2008. The selection was made following a nationwide search. McKillips has been a NETS Board of Directors member representing Abbott since 2008 and served as the NETS Board Chair for 2014 and 2015.

“On behalf of the NETS Board of Directors, we are pleased to announce this appointment,” said Dane Bremer, Director of Employee Safety and Global Business Continuity for Liberty Mutual, and NETS Board Chairperson. “Joe’s background and passion for road safety, as well as his long history with NETS as a corporate member, partner and leader make him a great fit for the position of NETS’ Executive Director.”

READ MORE

 
Fleet Marketing

By Ed Pierce, Fleet Industry Marketer

Last month, I promised to dig a bit more into the topic of “brand ambassadors,” who can be an effective part of an overall strategic marketing plan and contribute to improved results from various marketing and sales support activities.

Recruiting your ambassadors to attend and be active at NAFA, ALFA, RIMS, NTEA, and other important industry events can be much more effective than relying upon company representatives who can’t be everywhere at once.

There are plenty of company-driven marketing activities where ambassadors can be more effective than your sales reps, technical staff, and even management.

READ MORE

 
Politics and Vehicles

USA Today

Ford Motor’s CEO is firing back at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump over his allegations that the automaker’s plans to shift all small car production to Mexico will cost jobs.

CEO Mark Fields, appearing on CNN Thursday, said “zero” jobs will be lost in the U.S. and that “it is really unfortunate when politics get in the way of the facts.” Even though Ford is expanding in Mexico, it is planning to replace small-car production in its U.S. plant network with higher-profit trucks and SUVs.

Fields decision to appear on CNN came after Trump appeared earlier today on Fox News and said if elected he will impose a 35% tax on automotive imports from Mexico.

READ MORE








Fleet Management Resources
 
AFLA – Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association
Providing the advanced forum for corporate fleet professionals to network with industry leaders.
The CEI Group Inc.
CEI is North America’s largest provider of fully integrated fleet accident management, driver safety and risk management services.
NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location, or fleet composition.
AmeriFleet
Offering a nationwide vehicle delivery and relocation service; serving the corporate and commercial fleet industry.
Donlen
Since 1965, Donlen has been the fleet management industry’s leading provider of comprehensive, integrated financing and asset management solutions — and that spirit of innovation continues today.
PARS
PARS' mission is to provide you with high-quality service at competitive prices for all of your transportation needs.
ARI
Driven fleet professionals. Driving results.
Driving Dynamics
Driving Dynamics was established to help corporate fleet drivers develop expert, safe driving skills using proven, advanced driving techniques.
Wheels, Inc.
First in fleet for 76 years. Wheels helps you build tomorrow’s fleet today.



Index to FleetManagementWeekly.com 
Fleet Management Weekly Newsletter Archive
Access to back issues of the FMW newsletter.
Fleet Telematics
How telematics is rapidly changing the fleet management landscape.
Subscribe
Fleet Videos
Video clips of industry leaders speaking on a variety of engaging hot topics in fleet.
Fleet Safety
News and practices to help you bring your drivers home safely, every day.
Contact Us
Fleet Trends & Issues
A wide scope of topical news for today’s fleet professionals.
Fleet Sustainability
Focusing on the challenges and solutions inherent to building and managing today’s sustainable fleets.
Media Kit