Buus' operations have a significant advantage compared to others, especially because we consider all the pieces involved in the charter transportation chain. Having the best system, optimized routes, or modern fleet won't matter if we don't invest in the key component that starts everyone's day: the driver.
In this article, we'll share a training day for drivers that presented some difficulties but turned out to be one of the clearest examples of the positive impact of our methodology.
The charter transportation scenario
As usual, all Buus' charter operations begin with driver training, and periodically, we revisit the transport operators to reinforce the content or introduce our platform to newly hired drivers. Our team visited an operation at a large oil refinery in Baixada Fluminense,
RJ, but the reception was different than we expected.
Usually, charter drivers are in good spirits and willing to participate, especially when they're in groups like our gatherings. However, this time, contrary to the usual, there was a somber atmosphere, with no side conversations while we prepared the presentation, and silence was prominent.
We started the training even without full engagement from the participants, and during the initial dynamics, we discovered the problem.
Speaking is important, but listening can be even more crucial
Each participant introduced themselves, stating their name, years of experience, and previous work in charter transportation. It was at that moment that they had a voice and expressed their concerns. We discovered that our training was taking place in the same week that some colleagues had been l
et go, which justified all the commotion and team's concerns.
How to deal with adversity and act to prevent discontent from affecting the operation?
Can you imagine the challenge of speaking to an audience whose fears and concerns are much greater at that moment than
our proposals? How do we address all of this without being insensitive or showing a lack of empathy?
It's common for termination processes and changes in the workforce to affect team morale, nurturing feelings of indignation or injustice among the remaining employees, and directly impacting the company's culture.
In this process, several points are crucial for maintaining satisfactory activities, but not all companies are aware of them or put them into practice. These points include:
Communicating clearly and positively.
Demonstrating empathy for the affected groups.
Addressing changes effectively.
Collecting and responding to feedback.
Encouraging and monitoring employee engagement.
At this moment, the experience of our "Driver Success" team makes all the difference. This team is composed of professionals from the road transport industry. There's nothing better than showing that we understand t
heir sadness but congratulating those present for the work they have been doing. Only through well-executed work can we seize good opportunities, whether in employment or any other aspect of our lives. Additionally, the introduction of new concepts and technologies has a transformative role when we understand that individuals' knowledge and morale are directly linked.
This injection of enthusiasm completely changed the mood of those involved, who, for a few hours, forgot about their problems, participated with smiles in our dynamics, and turned an ordinary afternoon into a moment of learning and self-discovery for both the drivers and our team.
What drives tra
nsportation is human energy.
As we mentioned at the beginning, modern
vehicles, intelligent systems, and perfect routes work, but if the driver is not truly engaged and involved at the start of the journey, everything can crumble. That's why we prioritize the training and maintenance of the mental and emotional well-being of those who are a fundamental part of any charter transportation operation.
Your operation with Buus is more human and brings many more smiles. Come and see it for yourself!