They are marvelous marketing tools, those gleaming vans and shiny trucks rolling around town. We proudly splash them with our company colors, logos, and taglines. Each and every one of them shouting out to the public who we are and what we do. If our service routes happen to take us to crowded highways or through busy downtowns, past countless other drivers and onlookers, all the better. It’s all about exposure in the business world.

If you happen to be the owner of said company, the pride one can feel the first time you see one of your trucks out on the road is truly memorable. I can still remember the first time it happened to me. I even took a picture of the van as it rolled by and can remember the experience vividly.

But all of this visibility and marketing can be a two edged sword if you are not careful.

Much like public nudity, exposure is not always a positive. Oh please! Don’t even judge me. It was college and for the sake of art. Now let’s get back on track, shall we?

The fact is, each one of those vehicles, and the driver operating them, are ambassadors to your company. They are living, breathing, rolling billboards for your organization and their behavior and actions all speak loudly; good or bad, for better or worse.

If your tech is operating his vehicle in a professional, safe, and courteous manner, the billboard is a positive one. On the other hand…

If he or she is speeding, cutting people off, or simply driving in a dangerous manner, you can bet that your logo and company colors will be remembered by the surrounding public as well. And I haven’t even mentioned what may happen if an accident occurs. Yep, those high dollar vehicle graphics you invested in are going to look amazing from the T.V. news crew’s cameras and on your customer’s flat screen televisions.

Much of this can be avoided by instituting a few simple things into your fleet program.

1) Incorporate a solid GPS tracking product into each and every one of your vehicles. I really can’t say enough about how important this is and how easy and wildly affordable the stuff can be. In fact, I can guarantee you that they won’t cost you a dime. ROI is realized within the first month for some companies. Those little black boxes are cash machines, not expenses. Trust me. Given as they will tell you things like location, speed, braking activity, and the like, you know what everyone is doing and WHERE. Right from your tablet, smartphone, or computer. The first time you turn on that screen and see all those little icons (your trucks) moving around, you will be hooked. Everyone is. Knowledge is power and you might just be surprised what you find out.

2) Establish and enforce a safety program. This doesn’t have to be complex, but get it in writing, present it consistently and often, and get their compliance agreement in writing. Lastly, make sure there are consequences to violations.

3) Encourage snitches. Whether it is a toll free number on the truck or telling all your friends and customers, let everyone know that you want to hear about unsafe or unprofessional conduct on the road.

Marketing is great and I love few things more than a fresh graphics package on my trucks. But be sure your drivers are sending the right kind of message when they leave the office doors behind.

And don’t forget….control bad exposure, keep your clothes on.

Human beings, as a general rule, behave much differently when being supervised by an authority figure than when they know they are not being watched. This is true from childhood and on through to our adult years. If you do not believe me, try this little experiment next time you have a moment.

Tell your kids (or borrow some, with permission) that you have something in the closet that they are not supposed to look at, under any circumstances. Explain that they can pretty much do anything, but whatever they do, DO NOT OPEN THE CLOSET. Then walk out of the room, hide, and watch what happens.

Heck, try it with your employees. The result will be the same. If you have staff that are driving company assets without GPS tracking, you already are.

I am not saying that all people are bad and have evil intentions. Not at all. Even though there are some employees out there who are looking to rob you blind, it is my belief that most are well intentioned and have your company’s best interests at heart. Mostly.

However, keep in mind what we said at the beginning of this article. We act differently when supervised. Moreover, when I say differently, I usually mean better. It may help to think of this in this way.

Ask yourself this question, “How would my employees drive, if I was sitting in the truck with them? Better or worse than when driving alone?”

How about this one… “How much more work/service calls would get accomplished if I was able to ride along on every call?” “Maybe better yet…” Would time card accuracy change if I was on every call with them?”

For most managers and business owners, the answer to these questions is clear. The problem lies in the fact that you cannot be in every truck with every employee. However, we have the next best thing.

GPS tracking from Fleetlog allows fleet managers to see live data from their entire fleet, from anywhere in the world, 24/7. Know where they are, where they are going, and how they are driving, minute by minute.

Whether you are at a nearby job site, your office, or on vacation on the other side of the world, with Fleetlog GPS tracking, you are always in the passenger seat!

There are many reasons why some fleet managers are tempted to keep their new GPS tracking systems a secret at first. In most cases, the manager has some suspicions that he would like verified. The new tracking equipment is a glorified mousetrap, set with fresh cheese.

Dreams of watching that little icon that represents your truck, moving across the screen to places it should not be and at times no one is working, fill the manager’s head. Visions of finally confronting your suspected trouble employee become clear. Your victory is so close you can taste it!

I think it is fair to say that most of us can relate to this temptation. Maybe you saw a truck out in the field in a part of town that it should not have been in. Perhaps it was a report of your company vehicle being seen at a location you do not service. Alternatively, it could just simply be the rising fuel expenses for a unit that is not seeing increases in productivity. It is quite reasonable to desire some justice and put to rest your suspicions.

However, before you go setting out those GPS mouse traps, consider the possibility that it may be in your best interest to be upfront and honest about your new Fleetlog tracking program. Now put that cheese back in your refrigerator and let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you should let your drivers know they are going to be monitored.

Trust and Respect: Good intentioned employees do not appreciate feeling like they are not trusted by their employers. Sure, the tracking systems are meant to catch the bad apples, but in the process, if not introduced properly, it may offend your star players.

They are Going to Change: Do you really want to know what your drivers are doing when they think they are not being watched? The most effective element of GPS tracking is the prevention principle. The vast majority of infractions are prevented by the drivers knowing that they are being monitored. Let the equipment do its job and you will save yourself some ulcers.

Team Members Will Not Feel “Targeted”: When you have a staff meeting up front and let everyone in the company know that you are implementing a GPS fleet tracking program, it lets everyone know that it is company-wide and not just intended for a few problem employees. This will give the people breaking the rules an opportunity to change their ways and the conscientious drivers a way of showing off their good driving habits.

It Eliminates Excuses: Properly introducing a tracking program cuts off the possibility of someone telling you that they did not know better. Company policy is explicitly stated (get it down in writing and have them sign it) and expectations are established.

It Smokes Out the Current Offenders: Think about it. If you are a good driving who is following the rules and being safe; why would you care if your company starts watching your driving habits. However, if you have something to hide, you are likely not going to be too happy to hear that Fleetlog equipment is being installed in your truck. Chances are, if you have a complainer, you are looking at an offender too.

There are many reasons why some fleet managers are tempted to keep their new GPS tracking systems a secret at first. In most cases, the manager has some suspicions that he would like verified. The new tracking equipment is a glorified mousetrap, set with fresh cheese.

Dreams of watching that little icon that represents your truck, moving across the screen to places it should not be and at times no one is working, fill the manager’s head. Visions of finally confronting your suspected trouble employee become clear. Your victory is so close you can taste it!

I think it is fair to say that most of us can relate to this temptation. Maybe you saw a truck out in the field in a part of town that it should not have been in. Perhaps it was a report of your company vehicle being seen at a location you do not service. Alternatively, it could just simply be the rising fuel expenses for a unit that is not seeing increases in productivity. It is quite reasonable to desire some justice and put to rest your suspicions.

However, before you go setting out those GPS mouse traps, consider the possibility that it may be in your best interest to be upfront and honest about your new Fleetlog tracking program. Now put that cheese back in your refrigerator and let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you should let your drivers know they are going to be monitored.

Trust and Respect: Good intentioned employees do not appreciate feeling like they are not trusted by their employers. Sure, the tracking systems are meant to catch the bad apples, but in the process, if not introduced properly, it may offend your star players.

They are Going to Change: Do you really want to know what your drivers are doing when they think they are not being watched? The most effective element of GPS tracking is the prevention principle. The vast majority of infractions are prevented by the drivers knowing that they are being monitored. Let the equipment do its job and you will save yourself some ulcers.

Team Members Will Not Feel “Targeted”: When you have a staff meeting up front and let everyone in the company know that you are implementing a GPS fleet tracking program, it lets everyone know that it is company-wide and not just intended for a few problem employees. This will give the people breaking the rules an opportunity to change their ways and the conscientious drivers a way of showing off their good driving habits.

It Eliminates Excuses: Properly introducing a tracking program cuts off the possibility of someone telling you that they did not know better. Company policy is explicitly stated (get it down in writing and have them sign it) and expectations are established.

It Smokes Out the Current Offenders: Think about it. If you are a good driving who is following the rules and being safe; why would you care if your company starts watching your driving habits. However, if you have something to hide, you are likely not going to be too happy to hear that Fleetlog equipment is being installed in your truck. Chances are, if you have a complainer, you are looking at an offender too.