Your company has just expanded into a new country … how to best integrate it into your fleet operation?

Harmonization and streamlining are the buzzwords when it comes down to rolling out fleet policy in newly acquired operations. But, the road to harmonization can be a hazardous, time-consuming and costly operation. Companies are finding that certain parts of their fleet strategy can be rolled out without too many hassles. Only, when it comes down to legal, fiscal, cultural or price aspects a ‘one size fits all’ car policy often comes to a shuddering halt.

Defining what is local and what is global

How to get things rolling? By defining the general and the specific.

First define which aspects of your fleet strategy are applicable to all your operations. Eligibility, driver car selection rights and car treatment and return policy. These are are all typically aspects of a fleet policy that can be rolled out with only the slightest fine-tuning.

Next define which fleet strategy aspects are country specific. This will include local legal, fiscal, cultural and price aspects: what is a common car, what are contract parameters, price levels? Local knowledge is what you’ll require here. Don’t shy away from using the expertise of your local fleet or HR manager.

Harmony through diversity

Once you have identified what belongs to the central organization and what is best overseen locally, use this information to mould a fleet strategy geared towards benefits of scale, but embracing diversity. That adds up to double benefits: easier harmonization processes and the best local implementation.