In the complex world of fleet management, where tasks abound and priorities compete for attention, determining where to focus can be a challenge. From optimizing efficiencies to satisfying customer demands, safety can feel like one more daunting, yet crucial, item to check off the to-do list. Surprising as it may seem, placing safety above all else is the key to unparalleled success.
Let’s uncover the remarkable, yet often underestimated, impact of fleet safety as a strategic driver of business success.
Safety Is Your Superpower
“Safety First” isn’t just a phrase we’ve heard a hundred times — it’s a fundamental principle that can drive powerful change. When safety is paramount, trust naturally follows. And with trust comes a ripple effect of positive enhancements that can reverberate throughout your organization.
Whether at work, at home, or on the road, safety is crucial, and it boils down to the profound act of caring for one another’s well-being. When employees commit to keeping each other safe, it sends a simple, yet impactful message: Your well-being is our top priority. We truly care about you. We have your back.
When fleet leaders embrace a safety-first mentality, a remarkable shift begins to occur. Employees that may have once been disengaged begin to emerge as agents of change. Empowered and more willing to lean into their roles, they take pride in their work and their company. They begin to think outside the box and share innovative ideas for improvements.
Taking it a step further, relationships and trust flourish through coaching that incorporates authentic conversations, attentive listening, supportive feedback, and empathy. As trust grows, employees feel confident sharing ideas for improvements around safety. Efficiency then begins to develop organically by the very professionals who are outperforming the day-to-day mission-critical work.
“If you start with safety, organizational efficiency and a culture of excellence will follow. From efficiencies in fuel use and maintenance to lowered claims costs, a well-executed safety program can pay off in highly valuable and unexpected ways,” said Jeff Martin, vice president of global sales strategy at Lytx. “When safety is the most important thing, great things can happen company wide. This phenomenon is called ‘Total Value Realization,’ and it begins with safety.”
The Remarkable Ripple Effect of Total Value Realization
With safety at its core, Total Value Realization delivers significant benefits across every department of your organization and helps fleet managers achieve goals in a variety of areas:
Communications – Ability to promote and recognize progress or challenges
Compliance – Quality DVIRs, reduced collisions, and claims costs
Customer service – Better response times and more accurate service confirmations
Dispatch – More efficient delivery and service routes
Human resources – Increased employee engagement and retention
Sales – Increased market share based upon excellent safety performance and proven safety culture
Training – Improved coaching and ongoing education to reduce risky behaviors
Total Value Realization Is Totally Doable
While building a best-in-class safety strategy and achieving Total Value Realization may seem daunting, focusing on three core areas — people, process, and performance — is a great place to start.
People: Your culture begins at the top, so make sure you secure buy-in from your company’s C-level leaders. Prioritize winning their hearts before their minds, emphasizing the importance of mutual safety and trust.
Process: Implement processes built with a block or phased approach where field-created and validated programs are the foundation for fleet best practices. Also, establish a robust coaching model that prioritizes open communication and feedback.
Performance: Foster continuous improvement through effective coaching and knowledge sharing. By focusing on refining behaviors, overall performance improves over time. Recognizing and rewarding drivers who exemplify positive behaviors can significantly motivate and encourage others. It is key to remember to strive for steady progress rather than perfection on the first try.
Additionally, setting clear and attainable goals is key to driving progress and improving fleet safety and efficiency. Establish measurable targets to help teams track progress, identify areas for improvement, and develop a culture of accountability where safety and efficiency are prioritized at every step.
For enhanced visibility into your progress and for easily accessible data, consider investing in state-of-the-art video safety and video telematics solutions, such as Fleet Tracking, DVIR, and ELD Compliance. These tools can significantly enhance safety programs and further solidify mutual trust between employees and leadership within an organization. Armed with the data and technology tools to amplify your safety superpower, the possibilities are endless for mastering Total Value Realization across your organization and achieving unparalleled fleet success.
Transforming Fleet Operations with Tech
“We know that safety, while sometimes underestimated, holds the key to driving success and in creating a culture of trust and continuous improvement,” added Martin. “At Lytx, we are proud to deliver the technology that arms fleets with the valuable tools and data that can help build that trust, transform operations, and take businesses to the next level of success.”
Lytx has been the trusted provider of fleet management telematics solutions to the trucking industry for over 25 years. Its video safety and video telematics solutions empower fleets to grow a culture of safety operational excellence within their organizations.
