This story appears in the December 2014/January 2015 issue of iTECH, published in the Dec. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.
By Bruce Lilly, Contributing Writer
“Focus on the positive” is a theme repeated by people who coach drivers. “We feel strongly that we should have something positive to say every time we speak with a driver,” said Jeff Baer of LinkeDrive.
Part of good coaching is recognizing the challenges that drivers face. “We know that driving a truck is a tough job. We think it’s important to treat drivers with respect and give them recognition and take the time to talk with them,” Baer said. “We love helping drivers improve mpg, but just as important is creating and maintaining a bounce in their step by appreciating the important, valuable work they do to keep America moving. This helps a great deal with driver retention.”
Jim Sassen of Omnitracs made a similar point. “Data is an opening to ask questions or have conversations, not just to tell drivers that they’re doing things wrong,” he said. “We encourage fleets to use the data in many different ways and use it as an opportunity, instead of the final evidence, because there can be extenuating circumstances that affect mpg, such as the weight of the load.”
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One strategy for making fuel-efficiency programs more popular with drivers is to create a competition. “There’s something that I call the ‘game-ification’ of the program, and I think that really drives the results,” said Jason Palmer of SmartDrive.
“Fleets will implement a lot of technology and not necessarily get all of the benefit of that technology,” he said. “It’s that game-ification that engages the driver and keeps them engaged over time. The mobile apps and the incentive programs are part of this. It’s more emphasis on the carrot than the stick.”
David Daniels has seen this happen with drivers at May Trucking. “Driving becomes a contest,” he said. “It becomes a game to see who can be the best. It’s amazing the change in behavior we’re seeing in the drivers. We have much less turnover with the group of drivers who are using ZFuel. They’re being given so much leadership and feedback that they’re more motivated. Driving becomes more of a challenge than just getting the load delivered.”
