For Higher Driver Retention, Adopt a Comprehensive Driver Workflow Solution

Any company that runs a trucking fleet knows the importance of driver retention. Companies in virtually every industry are struggling to attract and retain good talent right now. But distribution companies face an even more intense challenge because when there aren’t enough drivers to drive the trucks, nobody else can pick up the slack—and those routes simply won’t get run.

The good news is that driver workflow solutions can help support driver retention. As with any technology, though, not all driver workflow systems are equal. This article will explore what to look for in a solution.
 

How Software Can Boost Driver Retention

It can be frustrating for drivers to have to toggle between multiple applications just to do their jobs each day. Forcing drivers to jump apps wastes their time, drains their energy, and sends the message that the company doesn’t care enough about them to invest in the latest technology—a message that can only hurt driver retention.

By contrast, a good driver workflow platform will allow your drivers to log onto a single solution to check routes, review to-do lists, communicate with their manager, and more. It presents drivers with a dashboard from which they can simply click to find all of their most important tasks. Rather than experiencing frustration out on the road, drivers can easily find the assistance and answers they need, increasing their job satisfaction.

A good driver workflow solution should do more than present drivers with an intuitive interface. It should also integrate with your transportation management software (TMS) and electronic logging device (ELD) system. Otherwise, your company will always be missing out on a critical aspect of increasing driver efficiency—and raising driver retention.

• When you integrate your TMS, you can use your driver workflow solution as a single point of contact rather than leaving your drivers to jump between applications. Your drivers can visit their dashboard to get the latest load information, review special instructions, complete paperwork electronically, or watch training videos.
• By integrating your ELD, you empower your drivers to manage their hours of service (HOS) more effectively. A good driver workflow solution will help your drivers plan stops on their routes, ensuring that they won’t run afoul of regulations. It will also enable drivers to make adjustments to shifts and rest periods without switching applications.

Look for an open platform to support flexibility and optimal interfaces

How can you be sure you’ve found a platform that will allow adequate freedom of integration? Look for an open platform that will enable you to reduce the total number of applications your drivers need to use on a daily basis. Suppose your drivers currently jump between seven different apps during a typical trip. An open driver workflow platform should be able to pull information from many of these apps, eliminating the need for drivers to switch apps in most cases. Your drivers will be able to spend less time punching in information and more time getting the sleep that can help prevent costly, tragic accidents.

There’s much more to consider, such as the guidelines laid out by Geotab in a recent white paper, Customizing mobile workflow and fleet management to better serve drivers. For example, to be optimally effective, a driver workflow platform should also offer a customizable interface that allows you to present a different experience that meets the specific needs for your drivers in your fleet; short-haul, long-haul, newly hired, and experienced drivers. As Geotab points out:

• Long Haul drivers will need access to weather forecasts, truck-safe navigation and traffic predictions at each leg of the trip; requires additional Point of Interest (POI) information on map to plan stops in unfamiliar areas; need to easily see when and where Hours of Service (HOS) will expire.
• Short haul drivers, for whom route planning may not be as essential for repeat trips, will rely on accessibility to live traffic updates; truck-safe navigation to steer around wrecks or other road obstructions; Voice-to-Text and Text-to-Speech tools to stay in constant contact while out on the road.
• New drivers may require a simplified and easily navigable version of the app dashboard to help them focus on onboarding tasks and keep from being overwhelmed; include training videos; customized forms and tools to help evaluate their success; and a task list that focuses more on initial to-do items and fewer loads.
• Experienced drivers will want to have full access to workflow features, including To-do lists of reminders for regular tasks such as updating driver information; and include videos geared towards continuous education and specific training issues.

Put it all together with an experienced reseller partner

An effective driver workflow solution can greatly influence how your drivers experience their job. Not being able to quickly call on the information they need is detrimental to their job, inhibits their job satisfaction, and is ultimately costly to driver retention and to your company’s bottom line. Finding a reseller partner that understands this and has the knowledge to bring together solutions to meet your specific needs is key to building an effective and user-friendly driver workflow solution.

Our team at Gridline can do more than just integrate, implement, and troubleshoot solutions. We’re your partner in helping your business grow. As your business needs change, count on us to provide the technical support, service, and training you’ll need to keep your systems—and your team—ready for whatever the future may bring. When you’re looking for software that can help increase driver retention, call on Gridline as your first and best resource for reliable solutions and service.

Get in touch with us today to see what Gridline can do for you.