I have developed a positive discourse with Ralph, the editor of a new(ish) online magazine called Business Car Manager . I was impressed by the magazine and it's content, the only one of it's kind aimed at the smaller fleet. Within 4 weeks of our first conversation I am published author!
All issues in business affect different size businesses in differing ways, in the fleet industry the smaller business is left behind in the knowledge gap, this magazine and it's contributors aim to reduce this. Of course we are delighted to be involved.
My article is here and discusses how to best organise vehicles for new staff. There are also links to advice on how to choose a vehicle broker (like us), what a leasing broker does and several other topics of interest to the normal business running a few cars.
Friday, 9 November 2007
Friday, 2 November 2007
Grey Fleets - A Bunch of Similar Colour Cars
Fleet News is having a real debate about the UK's growing 'Grey Fleet' problem. Believe it or not the reason for the Transport Minister's safety concerns is nothing to do with the colour of the cars on the road!!
The fact is that more than ever employees are using their own vehicles for use at work. So be it popping round the corner to pick the post up or travelling the UK for appointments using your own car for work purposes could be getting bosses in trouble!!
In a nutshell management is responsible for employee safety, this includes whilst out and about on work duty. Businesses who provide cars for staff tend to be on top of this a lot more than those who don't. Hence the new founded safety calls. So no matter who pays for the car - it needs to be checked, adequately insured and roadworthy!! Take note!
Click here for the Full Story
The fact is that more than ever employees are using their own vehicles for use at work. So be it popping round the corner to pick the post up or travelling the UK for appointments using your own car for work purposes could be getting bosses in trouble!!
In a nutshell management is responsible for employee safety, this includes whilst out and about on work duty. Businesses who provide cars for staff tend to be on top of this a lot more than those who don't. Hence the new founded safety calls. So no matter who pays for the car - it needs to be checked, adequately insured and roadworthy!! Take note!
Click here for the Full Story
Friday, 12 October 2007
Perk Cars Are Back
I'll post more information as it comes, however the tax system is now working favourably to once again offer cars that are not necessarily essential for business!
Imagine a young graduate taking a job on the greasy pole in to corporate world. They need a car to transport themselves to work and back. It may well be more cost effective to take a fuel efficient Company Vehicle and pay say £135/month tax. The same new car could be 3 times this cost on a personal basis! The cost to the business would have to be managed but with the total cost of a reasonable Contract Hire car around £3000/year the right sums can add up. A car is worth £5000 to most people, it's a win-win situation.
Therefore it makes sense to offer a car instead of a pay rise or to tie in the talent in the interview room!
Imagine a young graduate taking a job on the greasy pole in to corporate world. They need a car to transport themselves to work and back. It may well be more cost effective to take a fuel efficient Company Vehicle and pay say £135/month tax. The same new car could be 3 times this cost on a personal basis! The cost to the business would have to be managed but with the total cost of a reasonable Contract Hire car around £3000/year the right sums can add up. A car is worth £5000 to most people, it's a win-win situation.
Therefore it makes sense to offer a car instead of a pay rise or to tie in the talent in the interview room!
Monday, 1 October 2007
First Game of the Season
With my lacrosse team Rochdale back in the top flight we had been expecting a tough season. After a full summer of training and hard work Saturday was the season opener against Double-Champions Stockport Lacrosse Club
After an upbeat warm-up we were quickly reminded of our new-boy status and given a sporting education from a line-up of English Lacrosse stars.
For people interested in the sport of lacrosse http://www.laxforums.co.uk/ is full of discussion, results and debate from this hugely growing sport. As the number of users approached 2700 there may even be reasonable opportunities to work alongside the site to advertise and promote your business.
After an upbeat warm-up we were quickly reminded of our new-boy status and given a sporting education from a line-up of English Lacrosse stars.
For people interested in the sport of lacrosse http://www.laxforums.co.uk/ is full of discussion, results and debate from this hugely growing sport. As the number of users approached 2700 there may even be reasonable opportunities to work alongside the site to advertise and promote your business.
Thursday, 20 September 2007
My Ideal Christmas Present
I noticed the local garden centre has started preparing for the festive season (cue the groans and 'commercialisation' comments).
Well I just got excited again about one Christmas morning waking up to having a car on my drive which I can use for fun just like the Caterham.
The top of the range CSR hits 0-60 in 3.1 seconds wow!! Whilst you can get a more basic Classic 1.4 for less than £13,000.
I'm pretty sure with all the talk of Health & Safety that I won't be driving my fun car to work!! I might just have to hope for a track day - hint hint!!
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Driver Briefings
I've literally just put the phone down to a friend of mine who's been involved in a minor scrape in the hire car provided to them by the company she works for.
The brief yet eye-opening conversation centred around the fact that she had never had any kind of introduction to driving for the company she works for. Therefore at this moment I can imagine a bit "thank goodness she's ok we could have got in trouble" amongst the management team.
The scenario:
Lots of young, keen and willing staff on short term employment contracts PLUS appointments all over the UK.
Starbucks is covered some mornings by the boss yet the hire cars are the cheapest out there.
My impression is that the company my friend works for is struggling to plan the transport, scrimping on rentals and not informing staff of what to do in simple situations like a 'scrape', puncture or other minor fault.
The solution: When new staff start, check the driving licences, ensure they are covered under insurance and produce some kind of driver handbook for them to refer to, keeping a copy in the office as well.
Even better if the possibility of causing distress to the staff doesn't encourage change maybe with a bit more planning they could look in to providing better cars over the longer term by speaking to me! I guess money talks!
The brief yet eye-opening conversation centred around the fact that she had never had any kind of introduction to driving for the company she works for. Therefore at this moment I can imagine a bit "thank goodness she's ok we could have got in trouble" amongst the management team.
The scenario:
Lots of young, keen and willing staff on short term employment contracts PLUS appointments all over the UK.
Starbucks is covered some mornings by the boss yet the hire cars are the cheapest out there.
My impression is that the company my friend works for is struggling to plan the transport, scrimping on rentals and not informing staff of what to do in simple situations like a 'scrape', puncture or other minor fault.
The solution: When new staff start, check the driving licences, ensure they are covered under insurance and produce some kind of driver handbook for them to refer to, keeping a copy in the office as well.
Even better if the possibility of causing distress to the staff doesn't encourage change maybe with a bit more planning they could look in to providing better cars over the longer term by speaking to me! I guess money talks!
Friday, 7 September 2007
Yet more safety concerns
Daily rental group Enterprise have released research showing that over half of SME's allow employees to use their own car for business use.This is bordering on dangerous ground when it comes to Duty of Care issues as employers have a responsibility to ensure their drivers are using vehicles which are 'fit for purpose'.
If on occasion you are tempted to allow your employees to go out in their own cars you should treat them as you do your Company Car drivers.
- Is the vehicle fit for purpose i.e motorways, building sites etc
- Are they insured for business use?
- Have you checked their licence and insurance?
More information can be found in this document - we have plenty of hard copies if you would like us to forward it on to you.
If your staff are frequently on the move in their own vehicles it may be in your interest to look at getting a 'pool car'. Keep it on the premises to rake back all the VAT and ensure that all your staff have access to a safe, reliable vehicle during office hours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
