You want become a fleet manager or are you already? Whatever the size of your fleet, it is important to know how to manage your team of drivers on a daily basis in order to achieve your goals.

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Your role as VTC manager

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Your main role as a VTC manager is to achieve the goals set. To do this, you must have the material and human resources:

• Respect the budget and the defined strategy.
• Transmit the values and vision of your company, ensure that the messages are well transmitted.
• Establishing a good working climate in your fleet, motivating and reducing conflicts.
• Help your drivers progress through specific training (responsible driving, avoiding traffic tickets, etc.), by promoting autonomy and decision-making.

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Manage your team of drivers effectively

As a manager, you need to have a range of skills and abilities.

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• Communicate

Communication is key. Your instructions should be formulated in a clear and motivating manner. It is also important to give and receive regular feedback in order to allow everyone to improve.

By listening to your drivers, you will better understand their ideas, needs, needs, proposals, thoughts, feelings, experiences in the field, etc.

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• Motivate your fleet

To best manage your team of drivers, it is necessary to build trust between you and your drivers. To do this, value the efforts and skills of each person on a daily basis, in order to allow them to develop, improve and get involved in their work.

Motivation is also a key factor. Some drivers will need daily support and recognition in order to be reassured and progress in their work. Others will appreciate being motivated by challenges, bonuses, remuneration, etc.

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• Use the right management tools

You must be able to plan, predict in advance, but also manage unforeseen events (departure of a driver, logistical or material problems, etc.), which can cause harm to your company. To do this, you will need management software specific to managing a fleet.

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• Managing conflicts

Conflict management is an essential exercise in your role as a VTC manager. You must be able to identify and deal with tensions within your fleet in order to find the right solutions.

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• Supervise and know how to say no

Saying no means being confident in your position as a fleet manager. Depending on the situation, you must be able to adapt the appropriate management style. Different leadership styles are available to you:

• Directive : This management style can be interesting in times of crisis. The manager has maximum power and leaves very little room for maneuver to his employees. However, this can cause a lot of discomfort and frustration in the team.
• Persuasive : Your involvement as a manager is strong in decision-making, while maintaining a human side.
• Delegative : The team is consulted for advice, decision-making and organization of company life. Tasks are delegated between team members.
• Participative : The team is involved in the life of the company, especially in terms of decision-making.

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