A happy and engaged workforce is a more productive one, but for small and medium sized businesses that goal can get lost in the day to day. But there is an easy way to make sure that those logistics AND the wellbeing of your team can be improved in one fell swoop. And it won’t cost managers a penny.
The secret, particularly in the transport and logistics arena, lies in saving on the daily, weekly and monthly fuel bill that is a constant and sometimes unpredictable drain on a company's monthly spend.
If you're an operations manager or a fleet supervisor, ask yourself what would make you give that little extra if you were out on the road. That something that says my company really does care about me. Of course, it's tricky for cash-strapped companies to find that little extra money to splash out, but there are easy ways to create a virtuous circle that will help the business grow on a sound foundation well into the future.
First, train your team
By encouraging and implementing fuel-efficient driving practices you'll be doing your firm a favour as well as the people who drive for you.
That's because the way they drive can save a small fortune… whether they're in a van, lorry or their own car taking the children on the school run. Driver behaviour plays a big role in how well we use fuel so encourage your team to follow these fuel-saving tips.
The impact of fuel savings on your business's bottom line
Fuel costs are perhaps the biggest expense for businesses, especially those with many vehicles. You can lower these costs and make your business better by using good fuel management methods. Here are some things to think about:
- Fuel price changes: When fuel prices go up and down, it can adversely affect your budget. Try to look into ways that will mitigate against this through better budgeting.
- Driver habits: Teaching drivers to operate in a way that saves fuel can lead to a lot of savings.
- Fuel management tools: Use technology like telematics or GPS tracking. This can help you watch fuel usage, find ways to improve and plan better routes to save fuel.
Understanding Fuel Savings and Employee Engagement
Engaged employees work better, feel more motivated and care more about the success of your business. When you spend the money saved on fuel to improve engagement, it shows you care about your team's health. It can also lead to great results through:
- Better morale: When you recognise and reward employees for what they do, it makes them feel good and helps create a better, more collaborative work atmosphere.
- More productivity: When employees know they are valued and appreciated, they are more likely to work hard and produce good work.
- Staff retention: A positive and supportive workplace can help you keep your employees and prevent losing talented workers who can cost significant sums to replace - not to mention the cost of re-training someone new!
- Enhanced employee Productivity: Track key performance indicators relevant to your industry, such as sales figures and customer satisfaction ratings.
- Lower absenteeism: Lower rates can indicate increased employee engagement and a healthier work environment.
So how do you do it?
Start by looking at how much fuel you use now. This will help you see where you can cut back. After that, think about using some of these helpful tips to increase your savings.
Several fuel management technologies can help you use fuel better and save money:
- Fuel Card: Fuel card solutions give you clear reports on fuel purchases, making it easy to track spending, identify patterns and save costs. They can also provide good fuel prices and discounts.
- GPS Tracking: Real-time tracking of vehicles helps you choose the best routes, reduce miles and monitor usage.
- Telematics: Telematics systems show how you drive. This lets you find ways to improve driving and promote fuel-saving habits.
Then… use the savings to pay for:
- Performance bonuses: Reward staff who show good fuel-efficient driving or help save fuel.
- Gift cards: Give gift cards to local shops or online stores to thank them.
- Public acknowledgment: Recognise and celebrate individual and team successes related to fuel savings in company meetings or newsletters.
- Team outings: Set up fun outings like bowling, escape rooms or sports events.
- Team-Building Workshops: Hold workshops that focus on skills like communication, problem-solving or leadership to improve teamwork.
Assessing improvements in employee morale and productivity
Employee surveys are important for checking how happy and engaged workers are. You should do these surveys often to:
- Measure Employee Satisfaction: Ask questions about how satisfied they are with their jobs, their work-life balance, and what they think about the company culture.
- Gather Feedback on Initiatives: Get their thoughts on how well reward programs, team-building events, and other ways to engage employees are working.
- Identify Areas for Improvement: Look at the survey results to find ways to improve and better meet what employees want, making their experience better overall.
Knowing how fuel savings link to employee engagement can help your business do better and over time you'll see it's an investment worth making.