Change is Constant
It’s no secret to any of us that change is constant, and current talk of imminent sales or mergers in the fleet industry is a big reminder of this. Ed Pierce points out in today's column that these changes ought to spur others in the industry to review their corporate strategic plans. After all, the best defense to market changes is a strong offense.
Change is also one of the biggest reasons that the need for smart, effective fleet management consultants continues to grow - as Mercury’s Kathe Carter shares in today’s first video.
Today we also feature a short interview with new NAFA president Ruth Alfson, where she chats with us about her successful fleet career - and how NAFA was there for her every step of the way.
Enjoy this issue, and please check in with FleetManagementWeekly.com for daily updates.
Ted Roberts
COO & Chief Content Officer
NAFA’s 2016 (I&E) Call for Presentations Closes on May 28 – Got Ideas? Email them to NAFA!
Plans are underway for our 2016 Institute and Expo scheduled for April 18-22, 2016 in Austin, Texas! ♦ I&E Is Your Place To Find Solutions! ♦ Let Us Know What Fleet Issues and Problems You Are Dealing With!
NAFA's I&E Curriculum Committee is now working to identify key topics for this conference. This is your chance to submit program and session ideas that would benefit your fleet industry peers. All are invited to recommend ideas for topics and suggest speakers or panelists for consideration.
NAFA Delivers Strong Testimony on US Postal Service Hearing
NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) provided strong testimony to the US House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform during the Committee's hearing on the US Postal Service's request to acquire 180,000 new vehicles.
Katherine Vigneau, CAFM®, NAFA’s Director of Professional Development, told committee members that best practices should be adhered to during the fleet replacement process and that the Postal Service’s idea of replacing all 180,000 at the same time, from a single source, is not in keeping with best practices.
"In accordance with NAFA best practice, the USPS has a definite requirement to replace a significant portion of their fleet," Vigneau said. "Lifecycle Cost Analysis has been used to demonstrate that operating costs are rising significantly. Extended replacement also has the disadvantages of not introducing important safety and technological improvements in the fleet. The lifecycle methodology should be used further to analyze custom vs. commercial purchase options and alternative fuel options."
Insurers Overcharging Low-Mileage Drivers, Consumer Group Claims
Even though they tend to file significantly fewer claims, a new study says auto insurers typically fail to give discounts to motorists who clock low mileage.
Only State Farm, among all the major auto insurance companies, routinely provided a discount for those who put on about 5,000 miles a year – roughly a third of the national norm – according to the study by the Consumer Federation of America.
“The failure of most large insurers to adequately reward low mileage especially harms lower income and older drivers because they drive the least,” said Stephen Brobeck, CFA’s executive director.
Mapping Your Customer’s Journey
By Wendy Eichenbaum
You have countless ways to interact with your clients. It’s not just the website or a sales associate. You have landing pages, emails, blogs, portals, marketing campaigns, print materials, press releases, products, technical support, and even your own website’s search results. Each time a customer interacts with you, that one interaction is a touch point.
How consistent is your brand and content for these touch points? Does it sound like a single voice? Or does it sound like a different group in your company designed each touch point so that there are multiple voices?
And these areas are not the only touch points. Let’s say that your customers are looking to purchase the next generation of telematics technology for their fleet. What do they do?
