Key Takeaways
Drivers aren't always quick to embrace change. But with the right approach, you can invest in a high-quality fleet management software solution and get maximum buy-in from your drivers and other employees at the same time.
How to get driver buy-in on fleet management software
Every day, the assets in your fleet - along with the drivers themselves - are creating massive amounts of data. Hidden inside that data is the true story of what is really going on with your company. That, in essence, is why fleet management software is so essential — it helps you dive beneath the data to make important business decisions in real-time.
Having said that, you may encounter a situation where drivers are skeptical of fleet management software being implemented. But with the right approach, you can help illustrate all the benefits and secure maximum support along the way.
Most Common Driver Struggles
Drivers face many struggles when adopting new fleet management technology, including:
- Communication
- Training
- Privacy
Training is arguably the most critical part of implementation - and it's certainly essential for getting user adoption. That's why any solution that you pick needs to be developed with the actual users in mind. Businesses should implement training programs to help drivers get used to new systems quickly, which will ultimately help the business to see the benefits quicker.
Why Drivers Express Resistance
Drivers express resistance to fleet tracking software for two main reasons:
- It’s seen as an invasion of privacy
- There’s a misconception that it makes more work
Privacy concerns are real and it’s important for drivers to feel confident in their work. Communicating to drivers what data is collected and how it will be used to improve business operations can help to ease these issues. Be transparent.
Focus on how the digital tools provided by fleet tracking providers, including DVIRs, route optimization, communication, and more can simplify your drivers’ daily routines. Training will be a crucial aspect of success here.
Focus on the Bottom Line
GPS Fleet tracking is all about improving, safety, the bottom line, and finding more efficiency in both your fleet and your drivers. Understanding the cost of accidents, both injury and non-injury, will help drivers understand the benefits.
According to the NHTSA, the average non-injury crash costs employers approximately $16,500. That number jumps to $74,000 when an injury in incurred and half a million dollars for a fatality.
And that doesn’t consider the employee. An injury accident can put them out of work for weeks, months or even years, reducing their overall income. Employees can also take their learnings from work and apply them to their personal lives, realizing their own fuel and insurance savings.
Another benefit, improved CSA scores, help both driver and company. The bottom line here is data is key. Focus on core statistics about the expected improvements and cost savings around safety, maintenance, and fuel.
How to Address Driver Top Concerns
Overall, addressing driver concerns when it comes to deploying GPS fleet tracking software requires a multi-angle approach. You need to speak to how it will ultimately help improve the safety of drivers on the road, along with going over the software features and benefits that they'll get to enjoy that they don't have access to right now.
To speak to the first idea, don't just spring this change on them - communicate why you're making the change and let people know well in advance that this change is happening and, most importantly, why it's so crucial. Go into detail about how this will ultimately be a positive experience for them from various angles.
Likewise, communicate the significant features that your new solution will bring with it. Inform the driver of the benefits fleet tracking software has on the company’s digital transformation. GPS tracking will make it easier to plan for faster and more efficient routes and streamline workflows. It will help you locate a vehicle if it is ever lost or stolen. It will ensure compliance, optimize maintenance and diagnostics and more - all of which will make your driver's lives easier, not harder.
