Having a dependable group of drivers is an essential part of any shipping business. With the number of available drivers far fewer than the demand, one of the best ways to secure experienced and responsible drivers is to work with a reliable truck driver staffing agency. This way you can stay ahead of the competition as they continue to struggle to fill their team’s needs. Working with a staffing agency to maintain an adequate supply of drivers can help keep up with the increasing e-commerce and logistics industry demand, as well as extend business opportunities versus just trying to keep existing operations together.
On average, hiring a new truck driver is estimated at around $8,000; plus, driver turnover is often caused by low pay rates. Instead of having to hire over and over again, it is feasible to resolve both issues at the same time and reduce costs with higher wages or rewards for performance. Retaining drivers will save you a boatload of money, time, and effort, plus bolster employee morale. To make this work, emphasize the concept of “community” within your staff and create a sense of honest job security. Doing so will enable a dependable network of drivers and eventually furnish superior services to customers.
4 ways you can improve truck driver retention
1. Improve workflows
As a truck driver, it is important to stay on top of all of the tasks needed to stay in compliance with FMCSA regulations. By incorporating user-friendly technology into your workflow, you can speed up your daily tasks and stay up to date. Fleet management systems can help by sending reminders to do start-of-day inspections, submit fuel readings, and keep a log of all deliveries for proof. Installing this new technology will allow you and your dispatcher to stay in perfect sync with each other, maximizing your productivity and resulting in increased job satisfaction. With a mobile application or an in-cab device, these daily tasks and expectations can be streamlined and simplified, giving you the best chance of success.
2. Increase communication
Creating opportunities to foster open and honest communication can help everyone connect to your organization. Even if a particular piece of information is not necessarily germane to a certain group, they will still feel more valued because they are in the know about what’s going on in the company. Whenever you introduce fresh strategies or measures, be sure to take the time to update everyone who might be impacted – this will show your drivers that you legitimately appreciate them and involve them in company-wide directives.
It’s equally important to make sure there’s a steady and unimpeded line of communication between team leaders and drivers. Growing trust between both parties can open up much-needed conversations about the issues the driver may face in the course of their daily trips, and then you can come up with solutions to demonstrate that you’re not only listening but willing to take action. Even in those instances when you may not necessarily agree on something, increasing engagement and communication will help to reinforce a cohesive, unified atmosphere amongst the team.
3. Increase engagement
Employees are more prone to remain at a company and find success in the long run when they can experience firsthand a rewarding and meaningful work atmosphere. Being honest and straightforward during the initial job interview and subsequent opportunities, implementing active and continuous communication, as well as paying attention to constructive feedback are all imperative components of fostering employee engagement.
Make sure to keep your team members, both on the ground or on the wheels, in the loop and connected. Praising their efforts along the way and recognizing their hard work will go a long way in ensuring they feel valued. To harness the energy of your workers and spark engagement, you can:
- Establish objectives for drivers’ productivity.
- When an employee excels at a task, acknowledge it.
- Note any private outperforms or achievements.
- Use surveys to find out how you can make your employees’ workplaces better.
When it comes to employee engagement, showing your drivers that you value and appreciate their hard work and dedication to your company is paramount. Remind them that they are an invaluable part of your organization, and come from a place of understanding when it comes to their wellness. When your team feels cared for and that their well-being is a priority, they are far more likely to remain committed to your company for the long haul.
4. Provide education or training
Ensure your drivers’ safety and give them a sense of value with frequent training that outlines best practices for the industry. Provide them with the newest information through a combination of written instructions and video lessons to give them a clear and thorough understanding. By incorporating regular training sessions, executives can take advantage of video telematics to identify and target any dangerous behaviors. This proactive approach will help to re-establish a safe working environment and reimburse responsible drivers. Moreover, investing time in staying up-to-date on the latest information now will save you time when training new drivers in the future. Show your drivers that they are appreciated by providing them with essential ongoing training.
How fleet management solutions can help a truck driver
In today’s world, the use of software and advanced technology can act as a way to establish a strong relationship between drivers and their managers, even if they are situated long distances apart. Investing in integrated in-cab technology is a great way to promote safety, strengthen the unity of the whole team, and promote efficient communication.
Rand McNally are offering an amazing fleet management system to help managers observe driver performance and any other important metrics. The advantage of digital solutions from Rand McNally such as Fleet Portal instantly make transport and workloads more comfortable and smoother, plus hands-free interaction between dispatchers and drivers. These services could be used for the purpose of tracking any risky conduct and applauding impeccable work, as appreciation for drivers is a major consideration.