Ah communication tech. We'd be lost without it, wouldn't we? Messaging, posting, ordering food, buying stuff, monitoring your front door etc. The list of things we can do is seemingly endless.
Of course, mobile phones, with their vast library of apps to download at a snap of the fingers, are at the heart of the comms revolution. In fact, a recent report from global connectivity expert GSMA showed that by the end of 2023, over half (54%) of the world's population (that's some 4.3 billion people) now own a smartphone. That's a lot of people connected a lot of the time.
So it stands to reason that in this day & age, professional drivers the world over could make use of their personal & / or work mobile to improve their day to day work (& private) life.
A quick search on the Play Store & Apple App Store reveals that there are apps & services for pretty much everything that a driver might need. Routing? Check. Fleet management? Yep. Driving times? Definitely. Defect recording? 100%. Briefing notes? Sure. Toolbox talks. Oh yes.
But here's the thing. How many apps have been developed with end user testing? How can we be sure that an off-the-shelf solution is right for every driver? How effective are these apps?
The other day, Google updated their terms. I simply had to scroll down the screen & check the box to acknowledge the new terms. I don't have the time or the inclination to read the small print (cue insurers gleefully rubbing their hands!), but I bet you don't either.
So, the question is how do we know these apps are effective for drivers? How can we be sure that the driver hasn't just scrolled past an important bit of info & checked the 'read' box at the end?
For me, we should use apps sparingly & as a tool, rather than the solution. I'll give you an example; we use the #anet360 app to develop immersive learning packages. It's really useful, but drivers use it as a tool on the path to achieving the objectives within a classroom or online session, rather than as the training itself. It means drivers get to discuss topics with a real person, and they can refer back to important info using the app.
While operators & drivers have embraced these new technologies, most still choose to use face-to-face communication to get their message across. It's partly the reason we don't offer #easyfleetr products through an app or on subscription; we can create a bespoke solution based on sector, load & driver type, rather than a 'catch all' generic solution.
It's important to consider not just the way you communicate with drivers, but also the effectiveness of those communications. Keep in mind that most drivers work alone, & that a balance of comms methodology will likely yield the most effective results.
Mix it up, don't rely on fully autonomous tech all the time, and remember that face-to-face communication is set to become even more important the further we fall down the online, 100% connected rabbit hole...
