Stronger Fleet Management Through Diversity

Fleet Management and the pursuit of diversity

The trucking and logistics industry is one of the most demanding and complex industries in the country. The transportation sector serves as the backbone of a nation by delivering billions of dollars worth of Amazon products from warehouses to doorsteps within two days. Through rigorous fleet management systems and efficient fueling technologies, these fleets are responsible for delivering food to our dinner tables, fuel to even the most rural locations and precious medical equipment to hospitals across the nation. Unfortunately, research has shown that there is a driver’s shortage worse than the trucking industry has seen in decades. Fleet managers and trucking companies alike are addressing the shortage with urgency, and they have all come to the same conclusion — diversity will alleviate that shortage.

Gender and ethnic diversity has the potential to become a competitive advantage for trucking companies, according to a CCJ Digital report. Further research by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company shows that companies in the top quarter for both gender and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have above average financial returns while those in the top quarter for gender diversity only, are just 15% more likely.

“Ethnic diversity is becoming a competitive differentiator,” said Jane Jazrawy, Chief Executive of CarriersEdge, a provider of online safety and compliance training tools. “Companies with ethnic diversity have higher earnings and are better able to win top talent.”

Fleet payment systems are just one of many strategies for success.

So, while companies are focusing on developing and delivering innovative tools like sophisticated fleet payment systems and robust fueling technologies and capabilities, fleet managers across the country are also focusing on diversity in their work force.

The most recent concentration on diversity has been in gender. Women in the global trucking industry have lobbied for inclusion and fair practices in a field that has previously consisted primarily of men. These women, along with a number of trucking companies and fleet management representatives, have initiated a transformation by bringing awareness to the significant benefit of gender diversity within the trucking sector.

Founded in 2007, the Women in Trucking Association is a non-profit organization focused on the transportation and logistics industry. The group was founded on a mission to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. Their work also includes:

• Educate and raise awareness for women’s issues
• Promote career opportunities for women in the industry
• Improve conditions for women already working in the industry
• Increase the number of women in leadership positions in the industry
• Increase the number of women drivers
• Serve as a resource about women working in the industry

The organization’s work has paid off and the results are being celebrated with the announcement of the 2017 Influential Woman in Trucking award finalists.

Traci Crane, Sr. Manager over Fleet Services is the first female in company history (founded in 1951) to hold a Fleet Management position within the Maintenance Department. Her role within the Maintenance Department is to provide oversight to their Road Service group as well truck assignments and recovery.

Tana Greene, founder of Blue Bloodhound has been recognized by American Express as one of the 50 fastest growing female-owned companies in 2006 and 2017 and for the past six years INC Magazine has named her business one of the Top 5000 fastest growing national companies.

Daphne Jefferson became the Agency’s Deputy Administrator in February 2015 after serving as the Counselor to the Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in the Office of the Secretary (OST). Prior to serving as the Counselor to the Chief of Staff, she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration in OST.

Fleet Management helping to create a sea of change

So, while women and veterans have been a focus, there is also considerable benefit in looking to the under-represented minority population that should not be overlooked. Jane Jazrawy, Chief Executive of CarriersEdge also reported on successful practices among fleets in the Best Fleets to Drive For program.

“Some of the Best Fleets,” Jazrawy said, “have bilingual staff that includes driver supervisors, recruiters and trainers, as well as payroll and safety personnel. They also work with drivers to make accommodations for particular religious beliefs, for instance allowing drivers to be home on certain days or not hauling products like alcohol or pork,” she said, adding that Best Fleets also have zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment.

Transportation and logistics companies worldwide are making a concerted effort to control efficient systems and maintain profitability by relying on the people they hire. In that same vein, while Fleet Management recognize the power of innovative business practices like robust fleet payment solutions as well as the utilization of efficient fueling technology and data analytics, they are also realizing that the culture they help to create internally is just as important to the bottom line. By creating an environment that welcomes everyone including, equally capable women and the very much under-represented minorities, fleet companies can build diversity in the technology they deliver as well as the culture they nurture.

A more diverse fleet means a stronger fleet — a stronger fleet means success!

Resources:

http://www.prodrivers.com/news/2016/7/40132180/Diversitys-the-key-to-solving-the-trucking-shortage

http://www.womenintrucking.org/diversity-facts-in-transportation

https://www.trucks.com/2017/07/11/trucking-industry-ripe-for-disruption/