Mile Marker

Holman Celebrates 100 Years, Looks to the Future of Fleet with Innovation and Technology (Jim Spera)

Ridecell

In this episode of the Mile Marker Podcast, host Angela Simoes speaks with Jim Spera, Vice President of Sales at Holman. Spera discusses the rapid advancements in fleet technology, focusing on electric vehicles, telematics, and AI. He highlights Holman’s approach to integrating these technologies to support clients, emphasizing the shift toward data-driven insights and risk mitigation. Spera also touches on the future of autonomy and robotics, sharing his perspective on how these innovations will shape the fleet industry in the coming years.

https://ridecell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridecell/
https://twitter.com/ridecell

WEBVTT

1
00:00:02.785 --> 00:00:04.445
You are listening to the Mile Marker Podcast,

2
00:00:04.735 --> 00:00:07.685
where we explore trends and innovations in fleet automation

3
00:00:07.685 --> 00:00:10.725
and shared mobility, helping fleet based businesses make

4
00:00:10.725 --> 00:00:11.885
better informed decisions

5
00:00:11.985 --> 00:00:14.045
and achieve full digital transformation.

6
00:00:22.395 --> 00:00:24.325
Welcome everyone to the Mile Marker podcast.

7
00:00:24.685 --> 00:00:26.285
I am Angela Simoes, your host.

8
00:00:26.385 --> 00:00:29.205
And today's guest is Jim Spera, Vice President

9
00:00:29.205 --> 00:00:31.165
of Sales with Holman. Welcome, Jim.

10
00:00:31.535 --> 00:00:35.325
Thank you. So I understand Holman is having a

11
00:00:35.635 --> 00:00:36.925
anniversary celebration.

12
00:00:37.305 --> 00:00:38.525
Yes. A hundred years.

13
00:00:38.825 --> 00:00:40.405
Yes. Insane. A hundred years of business.

14
00:00:40.405 --> 00:00:42.765
Insane. That's, I mean, that's, I'm, I mean now

15
00:00:43.905 --> 00:00:45.325
in today's day and age, like it's a

16
00:00:45.325 --> 00:00:46.365
big accomplishment. Right.

17
00:00:46.375 --> 00:00:47.685
Incredibly impressive.

18
00:00:47.685 --> 00:00:50.125
Especially given its stayed privately held,

19
00:00:50.125 --> 00:00:51.965
family owned for this century. That's

20
00:00:51.965 --> 00:00:52.965
Amazing. So what did you

21
00:00:52.965 --> 00:00:53.965
guys do to celebrate?

22
00:00:54.225 --> 00:00:57.085
So we had a, what we called our world tour.

23
00:00:57.425 --> 00:01:01.405
Um, so we have facilities in the United States, Canada,

24
00:01:01.465 --> 00:01:02.805
Mexico, UK, Germany.

25
00:01:03.025 --> 00:01:05.485
So throughout the better part of 2024,

26
00:01:05.905 --> 00:01:08.325
we held regional celebrations

27
00:01:08.385 --> 00:01:11.165
for families, colleagues

28
00:01:11.385 --> 00:01:14.845
and friends to join to celebrate the achievements

29
00:01:14.905 --> 00:01:16.165
of the Holman organization.

30
00:01:16.465 --> 00:01:19.725
So that was throughout the year.

31
00:01:19.745 --> 00:01:22.205
And then leading up to our,

32
00:01:22.585 --> 00:01:24.005
our annual meeting

33
00:01:24.085 --> 00:01:27.365
In the summer, we had a huge celebration,

34
00:01:27.365 --> 00:01:28.445
nearly 7,000 people.

35
00:01:28.665 --> 00:01:33.085
Wow. And it was a concert put on by Carrie Underwood

36
00:01:33.225 --> 00:01:34.365
and the Bare Naked Ladies,

37
00:01:34.425 --> 00:01:36.805
so it was a great way to celebrate.

38
00:01:36.865 --> 00:01:39.005
The milestone event. Yeah.

39
00:01:39.505 --> 00:01:41.965
But I love that you had a world tour, as you said,

40
00:01:41.965 --> 00:01:45.005
and had these smaller celebrations to really kind

41
00:01:45.005 --> 00:01:47.485
of hold onto that family owned, family

42
00:01:48.045 --> 00:01:50.205
oriented, uh, culture. That's really great.

43
00:01:50.685 --> 00:01:53.565
Absolutely. And so I understand you've been in...

44
00:01:53.745 --> 00:01:55.765
the fleet industry for eight years

45
00:01:56.025 --> 00:01:57.405
and with Holman for eight years.

46
00:01:57.435 --> 00:02:00.285
Correct. And as we have talked with everybody

47
00:02:00.755 --> 00:02:02.405
that you fall into fleet, right.

48
00:02:02.785 --> 00:02:04.165
It just sort of happens by accident,

49
00:02:04.465 --> 00:02:05.465
It finds you.

50
00:02:05.465 --> 00:02:07.005
So tell us a little bit about your path

51
00:02:07.145 --> 00:02:09.085
and how you ended up falling into Holman.

52
00:02:09.315 --> 00:02:13.445
Sure. So, um, spent majority of the front end

53
00:02:13.445 --> 00:02:16.325
of my career in aerospace and defense went into oil and gas

54
00:02:16.385 --> 00:02:17.525
and through a couple

55
00:02:17.525 --> 00:02:19.685
of relationships, being from South Jersey (Mm-Hmm.)

56
00:02:19.765 --> 00:02:21.045
Where Holman is headquartered.

57
00:02:21.425 --> 00:02:23.765
Knowing the Holman name in that area,

58
00:02:24.225 --> 00:02:27.245
you understand the, the people behind the organization.

59
00:02:28.025 --> 00:02:30.845
So that was a big driving factor to me joining

60
00:02:30.845 --> 00:02:33.485
the business eight years ago as I moved

61
00:02:33.505 --> 00:02:34.805
to Houston a year prior.

62
00:02:35.345 --> 00:02:37.405
So took a new opportunity to Houston

63
00:02:37.825 --> 00:02:40.125
and then went through the interview process and

64
00:02:40.125 --> 00:02:41.685
joined Holman shortly thereafter.

65
00:02:42.585 --> 00:02:45.725
And given your background in other industries,

66
00:02:46.145 --> 00:02:49.125
and now that you've been in fleet for a while, um,

67
00:02:49.675 --> 00:02:51.725
what are some of the big differences

68
00:02:51.755 --> 00:02:53.765
between working in the fleet industry

69
00:02:53.765 --> 00:02:54.885
and working in other industries?

70
00:02:55.465 --> 00:02:57.005
So working in the fleet industry,

71
00:02:57.005 --> 00:02:59.685
you're essentially an extension of,

72
00:02:59.745 --> 00:03:00.965
of your partner's business.

73
00:03:00.965 --> 00:03:03.965
Mm-Hmm. So, um, working internally

74
00:03:04.235 --> 00:03:07.165
through other opportunities with other companies

75
00:03:07.585 --> 00:03:10.045
and more of their project management operational landscape,

76
00:03:10.385 --> 00:03:11.605
taking that knowledge

77
00:03:11.665 --> 00:03:13.085
and then bringing it to the fleet side.

78
00:03:13.085 --> 00:03:15.845
And how do you marry up fleet and support your clients?

79
00:03:15.985 --> 00:03:17.405
How do you impact their business

80
00:03:17.785 --> 00:03:20.205
and drive their initiatives internally as a true partner?

81
00:03:20.225 --> 00:03:23.845
Those were synergies that really allowed me

82
00:03:23.905 --> 00:03:25.885
to make that transition a lot easier.

83
00:03:25.885 --> 00:03:27.325
And taking

84
00:03:27.325 --> 00:03:29.125
that consultative approach makes it a lot of fun.

85
00:03:29.665 --> 00:03:32.605
And what, so let's just take the last year for example.

86
00:03:32.605 --> 00:03:34.565
What are some of the things

87
00:03:34.565 --> 00:03:36.245
that your customers have been

88
00:03:36.785 --> 00:03:39.045
asking about wanting to explore?

89
00:03:39.825 --> 00:03:42.245
Um, are there challenges they're trying

90
00:03:42.245 --> 00:03:44.365
to address? What have been the big things?

91
00:03:44.715 --> 00:03:47.365
There's been a major evolution, obviously with technology.

92
00:03:47.545 --> 00:03:49.845
Coming into this space, well,

93
00:03:49.845 --> 00:03:51.445
really just coming in and impacting all of our lives.

94
00:03:51.445 --> 00:03:55.245
So our ability to bridge what's out there,

95
00:03:56.075 --> 00:03:58.565
assimilated into our offerings, understand

96
00:03:58.565 --> 00:04:01.845
what our clients are leveraging from a technology

97
00:04:01.845 --> 00:04:04.165
standpoint, and then building the bridge from there.

98
00:04:04.265 --> 00:04:08.085
But you think about telematics as a major data point

99
00:04:08.085 --> 00:04:09.965
for us to be able to leverage a lot

100
00:04:09.965 --> 00:04:11.525
of information to bring meaningful value

101
00:04:11.525 --> 00:04:14.085
and insight back to our, our clients.

102
00:04:14.305 --> 00:04:17.085
But yeah, the evolution

103
00:04:17.105 --> 00:04:18.685
of electric vehicles Mm-Hmm.

104
00:04:18.945 --> 00:04:21.645
Is another big one. Right. Uh, autonomy's out there.

105
00:04:22.115 --> 00:04:23.325
It's out there, it's, it's out there.

106
00:04:23.355 --> 00:04:25.925
It's coming, uh, hasn't directly impacted us quite yet,

107
00:04:26.065 --> 00:04:27.605
but it's definitely on the horizon.

108
00:04:27.665 --> 00:04:29.925
And the evolution has moved a lot faster,

109
00:04:30.085 --> 00:04:31.205
than I think a lot of people

110
00:04:31.635 --> 00:04:33.965
Initially thought from a EV perspective.

111
00:04:34.025 --> 00:04:35.325
So we see that carrying forward.

112
00:04:35.545 --> 00:04:38.445
You talk about AI and connectivity as well.

113
00:04:38.445 --> 00:04:39.485
(Mm-Hmm mm-Hmm.) So

114
00:04:40.985 --> 00:04:43.365
For autonomy, I feel like it's like one step at a time.

115
00:04:43.435 --> 00:04:46.525
Like, let's get the electrification thing dialed in

116
00:04:46.825 --> 00:04:50.325
and we'll let autonomous technology developers

117
00:04:50.425 --> 00:04:51.445
figure it out.

118
00:04:51.525 --> 00:04:54.485
And work out all the kinks, and then we'll implement the

119
00:04:54.485 --> 00:04:55.725
autonomous vehicles into fleet.

120
00:04:55.725 --> 00:04:56.645
Right? Like, I just feel like

121
00:04:56.645 --> 00:04:57.765
it's really early days for that.

122
00:04:58.185 --> 00:05:00.525
It is, but you look at robotics too,

123
00:05:00.525 --> 00:05:02.885
and there was a session earlier today where

124
00:05:02.915 --> 00:05:04.565
they were showing some really neat stuff

125
00:05:04.675 --> 00:05:08.285
From glasses where it transcribes

126
00:05:08.815 --> 00:05:10.205
words right onto the lens.

127
00:05:10.345 --> 00:05:12.005
So you think about taking that

128
00:05:12.105 --> 00:05:14.005
and bringing it into the automotive space.

129
00:05:14.025 --> 00:05:15.485
You have technicians working on vehicles.

130
00:05:15.485 --> 00:05:16.365
They don't have to get up and go to the

131
00:05:16.395 --> 00:05:17.165
iPad or the computer.

132
00:05:17.165 --> 00:05:18.845
They have it all right on there.

133
00:05:18.845 --> 00:05:21.205
Their lens. So a lot of that is coming.

134
00:05:21.225 --> 00:05:24.885
And then there was an overview

135
00:05:24.885 --> 00:05:26.765
of a drone company out of Sweden

136
00:05:26.855 --> 00:05:28.165
Where it's a flying drone.

137
00:05:28.225 --> 00:05:30.245
So essentially you have like a personal helicopter,

138
00:05:30.745 --> 00:05:32.205
And I think they're taking pre-orders.

139
00:05:32.205 --> 00:05:33.485
I don't know when that's gonna come,

140
00:05:33.505 --> 00:05:34.725
but that will be very interesting.

141
00:05:35.585 --> 00:05:37.445
Drones are just like, cool. Right. Yeah.

142
00:05:37.465 --> 00:05:39.165
You know, you just want to fly one.

143
00:05:39.425 --> 00:05:41.645
Um, so, so let's talk about electrification a little bit,

144
00:05:41.665 --> 00:05:43.925
and then we'll get into the AI conversation.

145
00:05:44.545 --> 00:05:48.645
So, everybody's at a different stage, right?

146
00:05:49.025 --> 00:05:50.565
So what you're, what are you seeing

147
00:05:50.565 --> 00:05:53.325
with your customers in terms of, have most of them

148
00:05:53.835 --> 00:05:55.285
implemented, at least a pilot,

149
00:05:55.745 --> 00:05:57.245
and what are some of their learnings?

150
00:05:57.275 --> 00:05:59.085
What are your learnings from that?

151
00:05:59.305 --> 00:06:01.765
And then where do you see it all kind of moving forward?

152
00:06:01.865 --> 00:06:04.165
Do you see it's like, okay, everybody's done a pilot,

153
00:06:04.315 --> 00:06:05.565
they're pretty comfortable with it,

154
00:06:05.705 --> 00:06:07.645
and now it's probably gonna take off?

155
00:06:07.905 --> 00:06:09.405
Or is it still gonna be more gradual?

156
00:06:09.955 --> 00:06:10.965
It's, it's a mix.

157
00:06:11.225 --> 00:06:15.165
So a lot of it comes down to just range and utilization.

158
00:06:15.205 --> 00:06:17.805
Or specific asset types.

159
00:06:17.805 --> 00:06:21.645
Obviously a lot of the sedans, SUVs, lighter trucks

160
00:06:22.235 --> 00:06:23.485
have gone electrified.

161
00:06:23.705 --> 00:06:26.885
So then it comes down to day-to-day operation.

162
00:06:26.955 --> 00:06:30.085
Does the range support the need of the vehicle on

163
00:06:30.085 --> 00:06:31.525
that given day or for that given role?

164
00:06:32.105 --> 00:06:34.565
But there is, there's definitely been a lot

165
00:06:34.565 --> 00:06:38.165
of conversations, a lot of side-by-side comparisons

166
00:06:38.165 --> 00:06:39.965
with ICE versus EV

167
00:06:40.185 --> 00:06:42.845
Definitely some pilots, whether it's hybrid

168
00:06:42.945 --> 00:06:44.005
or full blown EV

169
00:06:44.385 --> 00:06:45.965
but there's definitely a lot of conversation

170
00:06:46.145 --> 00:06:47.245
and a lot of interest

171
00:06:47.385 --> 00:06:49.365
in the evolution of the technology.

172
00:06:50.105 --> 00:06:53.405
Do you have clients that are,

173
00:06:53.405 --> 00:06:55.765
their fleets are made up of heavy duty,

174
00:06:55.765 --> 00:06:58.245
like construction, you know? Sure.

175
00:06:58.375 --> 00:07:00.045
Major... I ask

176
00:07:00.045 --> 00:07:01.405
because, you know, I had a, we had a

177
00:07:02.245 --> 00:07:05.445
previous podcast interview many, many months ago, um,

178
00:07:06.265 --> 00:07:08.525
and I'm blanking on the, the name of the, the gentleman,

179
00:07:08.585 --> 00:07:09.685
but we talked about like,

180
00:07:10.225 --> 00:07:12.685
do we really want an electric dump truck

181
00:07:12.705 --> 00:07:14.765
or do we really want an electric cement mixer?

182
00:07:14.885 --> 00:07:16.485
I don't know. Does that make sense? Sure.

183
00:07:16.485 --> 00:07:19.685
Yeah. There's, so there's definitely on the vocational

184
00:07:19.685 --> 00:07:22.445
side, so Holman supports class one through Class eight.

185
00:07:22.595 --> 00:07:24.565
Okay. Vehicles. So car sedans

186
00:07:24.565 --> 00:07:25.605
all the way up to tractor trailers.

187
00:07:25.985 --> 00:07:28.565
So some of the technology's not there yet. (Mm-Hmm.)

188
00:07:28.665 --> 00:07:31.685
Um, some of the operations may be prohibitive today (Mm-Hmm.)

189
00:07:32.345 --> 00:07:35.645
For utilizing an EV vehicle versus an ICE.

190
00:07:36.305 --> 00:07:38.405
But yeah, the conversations are there.

191
00:07:38.525 --> 00:07:40.645
I think the interest is there, and I think the market is

192
00:07:40.645 --> 00:07:42.445
slowly catching up, infrastructure as well

193
00:07:42.445 --> 00:07:43.645
as just the technology

194
00:07:43.705 --> 00:07:47.245
as you get into the higher GVW vehicles.

195
00:07:47.785 --> 00:07:49.285
So you said range, and

196
00:07:49.355 --> 00:07:51.125
what was the other thing you mentioned that was a kind

197
00:07:51.125 --> 00:07:52.965
of a, I think a use case was?

198
00:07:53.085 --> 00:07:54.405
I would say range and application too.

199
00:07:54.405 --> 00:07:55.965
Application. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of our, our,

200
00:07:55.985 --> 00:07:57.645
our clients are in vocational fleet

201
00:07:57.745 --> 00:07:59.325
or have vocational fleets.

202
00:07:59.665 --> 00:08:02.205
So they're outperforming services. Mm-Hmm.

203
00:08:02.465 --> 00:08:05.485
Um, so does the vehicle, can we spec it

204
00:08:05.485 --> 00:08:07.565
to their need from an operational standpoint?

205
00:08:07.565 --> 00:08:09.925
And what have been some big learnings in both

206
00:08:09.925 --> 00:08:12.405
of those areas, uh, that you're now able

207
00:08:12.425 --> 00:08:15.685
to more confidently make recommendations to clients about?

208
00:08:15.875 --> 00:08:18.525
Alright, well don't, don't go this way based on your

209
00:08:18.525 --> 00:08:19.765
needs, you're gonna need to do this.

210
00:08:19.835 --> 00:08:21.485
There's some examples you can talk about. Yeah.

211
00:08:21.485 --> 00:08:23.925
So it's still a little early on the, the vocational side,

212
00:08:23.985 --> 00:08:26.485
but definitely from a,

213
00:08:26.485 --> 00:08:28.085
I'll call it more driver centric fleet.

214
00:08:28.085 --> 00:08:30.325
Mm-Hmm. There's been a increased adoption

215
00:08:30.465 --> 00:08:33.245
and there's been some, some use cases, some proof cases that

216
00:08:33.395 --> 00:08:37.085
that show that going ev for certain driver classifications,

217
00:08:37.665 --> 00:08:39.445
are definitely like a sales fleet.

218
00:08:39.785 --> 00:08:42.365
Um, they have range, they take that vehicle home at night

219
00:08:42.785 --> 00:08:44.445
and charge home, so they're able to charge it at home.

220
00:08:44.445 --> 00:08:46.485
Right. So they're not reliant on being in

221
00:08:46.485 --> 00:08:47.525
a remote area Mm-Hmm.

222
00:08:47.825 --> 00:08:50.525
And having a charging facility local Mm-Hmm.

223
00:08:50.605 --> 00:08:52.165
To make sure that they're able to charge up

224
00:08:52.165 --> 00:08:53.645
and get back out into the field. So,

225
00:08:53.825 --> 00:08:55.325
And does the math, how does the math work?

226
00:08:55.505 --> 00:08:56.845
Are they finding that it's actually

227
00:08:57.405 --> 00:08:59.205
a lower total cost of ownership?

228
00:08:59.505 --> 00:09:02.125
Uh, is it working out as they had hoped or,

229
00:09:02.595 --> 00:09:04.605
Yeah, in some instances there, there's definitely the,

230
00:09:04.605 --> 00:09:07.045
the, the proof to the use case that there is a savings.

231
00:09:07.665 --> 00:09:10.125
Um, but I think we're still capturing on the,

232
00:09:10.745 --> 00:09:12.045
the total cost of ownership.

233
00:09:12.045 --> 00:09:14.125
What does that look like as some

234
00:09:14.125 --> 00:09:17.205
of these newer models roll into operation,

235
00:09:17.755 --> 00:09:19.965
what do they look like in three, four

236
00:09:19.965 --> 00:09:21.485
or five years when we go to resell them?

237
00:09:21.535 --> 00:09:25.085
Right. Right. Um, so let's jump over to AI

238
00:09:25.345 --> 00:09:26.365
and you mentioned telematics.

239
00:09:26.365 --> 00:09:27.525
Mm-Hmm. And you feel like that's where a lot

240
00:09:27.525 --> 00:09:29.445
of the AI application is.

241
00:09:30.255 --> 00:09:31.405
Maybe hasn't happened yet,

242
00:09:31.505 --> 00:09:34.485
but people are looking to apply AI to telematics

243
00:09:34.665 --> 00:09:39.325
and figuring out, okay, where can AI help either

244
00:09:39.395 --> 00:09:43.365
with automation or streamlining tasks, things like that.

245
00:09:43.505 --> 00:09:45.845
So what are you seeing in the industry

246
00:09:45.865 --> 00:09:49.085
and also what is Holman doing, as it pertains to AI?

247
00:09:49.355 --> 00:09:53.205
Sure. So AI, obviously there's a lot

248
00:09:53.205 --> 00:09:55.885
of companies out there, a lot of new technologies coming

249
00:09:56.155 --> 00:09:59.125
that are building off of, I'll use, we'll call it ChatGPT.

250
00:09:59.125 --> 00:10:00.965
Okay. As the example or the baseline.

251
00:10:00.985 --> 00:10:02.525
How do we, how do we leverage that?

252
00:10:02.545 --> 00:10:03.925
How are our clients leveraging that

253
00:10:04.465 --> 00:10:07.605
to bring greater insights at a much faster pace?

254
00:10:07.605 --> 00:10:11.205
Mm-Hmm. And then how can we make sure that the insights

255
00:10:11.205 --> 00:10:13.165
that it's bringing are factual and accurate,

256
00:10:13.585 --> 00:10:14.885
and then be able to put that out.

257
00:10:14.885 --> 00:10:16.645
So we're looking at that from a number

258
00:10:16.645 --> 00:10:20.885
of different facets as well as I think about going back to,

259
00:10:20.885 --> 00:10:24.525
not jumping into or out of AI, but robotics, connectivity...

260
00:10:25.065 --> 00:10:29.605
Um, a lot of those are based on leveraging data

261
00:10:29.725 --> 00:10:33.485
to make use case decisions or to operate.

262
00:10:33.825 --> 00:10:36.725
So there's a lot of investigation, a lot of companies

263
00:10:36.725 --> 00:10:38.725
and partners that are in the marketplace today.

264
00:10:39.705 --> 00:10:43.325
And are there any other kind of new technologies emerging

265
00:10:43.545 --> 00:10:47.045
or new things that you're seeing that are kind of exciting

266
00:10:47.225 --> 00:10:49.125
or at least that you know,

267
00:10:49.155 --> 00:10:50.645
will help move the industry forward?

268
00:10:51.315 --> 00:10:54.325
There's a lot Trying to think

269
00:10:54.325 --> 00:10:55.445
of where I want to cover first.

270
00:10:55.625 --> 00:10:59.005
So the, the evolution of technology

271
00:10:59.005 --> 00:11:00.245
within telematics,

272
00:11:00.325 --> 00:11:03.685
so we're not only capturing the device data,

273
00:11:03.905 --> 00:11:05.125
but also now video.

274
00:11:05.315 --> 00:11:07.205
(Okay.) Forward facing, inward facing.

275
00:11:07.205 --> 00:11:09.405
Providing real time coaching, from

276
00:11:10.045 --> 00:11:13.045
a risk mitigation standpoint, that is definitely something

277
00:11:13.045 --> 00:11:16.605
that when you, and you look at the use case for telematics,

278
00:11:16.905 --> 00:11:19.525
and when you bundle that into like the total cost of risk,

279
00:11:19.945 --> 00:11:22.845
so you have telematics, you have the driver record,

280
00:11:23.585 --> 00:11:25.845
and then also the liability, which is the biggest factor.

281
00:11:25.875 --> 00:11:27.445
Cost is not so much a conversation.

282
00:11:27.515 --> 00:11:29.845
It's how do we mitigate our much larger

283
00:11:30.355 --> 00:11:33.525
risk, mitigation from liability

284
00:11:33.605 --> 00:11:35.365
and loss runs and accidents and all that.

285
00:11:36.625 --> 00:11:38.245
And so you said there were multiple,

286
00:11:38.505 --> 00:11:41.445
any other areas that you wanna touch on?

287
00:11:41.745 --> 00:11:44.005
Um, going into robotics too

288
00:11:44.225 --> 00:11:46.045
Uh, sorry, I'm jumping back and forth between the two.

289
00:11:46.325 --> 00:11:47.685
because they're, they're most prevalent,

290
00:11:47.765 --> 00:11:49.245
and they were covered today as well

291
00:11:49.325 --> 00:11:51.485
as internally with our clients.

292
00:11:51.705 --> 00:11:55.325
But where there are efficiencies

293
00:11:55.395 --> 00:11:57.885
with automation leveraging robotics,

294
00:11:57.965 --> 00:12:01.845
Um, that has become huge, especially on the vocational side.

295
00:12:02.025 --> 00:12:05.805
You think about drones, uh, bots and warehouses, factories.

296
00:12:05.825 --> 00:12:10.205
So that's all things that are top of mind for us as

297
00:12:10.815 --> 00:12:12.005
technology evolves.

298
00:12:13.065 --> 00:12:15.205
And so we are recording, I think you mentioned

299
00:12:15.205 --> 00:12:17.125
that you were attending sessions or, or something.

300
00:12:17.125 --> 00:12:19.845
Mm-Hmm. So for our listeners, we are at AFLA today. Yes.

301
00:12:20.015 --> 00:12:22.165
We're here in San Antonio at the AFLA Conference.

302
00:12:22.505 --> 00:12:25.645
Um, so what have you observed so far?

303
00:12:25.645 --> 00:12:27.165
We're about halfway through the conference.

304
00:12:27.265 --> 00:12:28.405
Any big takeaways

305
00:12:28.665 --> 00:12:30.885
or, um, anything that you were hoping

306
00:12:31.105 --> 00:12:32.365
to get out of the conference?

307
00:12:33.065 --> 00:12:35.045
So, takeaways for me, this is

308
00:12:35.045 --> 00:12:36.165
my first ALA event.

309
00:12:36.165 --> 00:12:37.325
(Oh, congratulations.) I've been to a lot of congratulations.

310
00:12:37.325 --> 00:12:38.365
Other industry events,

311
00:12:38.445 --> 00:12:40.405
but first AFLA, I think there's a lot

312
00:12:40.405 --> 00:12:42.245
of common themes across all the industry events,

313
00:12:42.345 --> 00:12:45.685
but for this one specifically, a lot of it is around

314
00:12:46.485 --> 00:12:48.325
relationship and collaboration.

315
00:12:48.325 --> 00:12:50.085
(Mm-Hmm.) A lot of really good,

316
00:12:50.235 --> 00:12:52.365
I'll call them fireside chats, after the sessions.

317
00:12:52.365 --> 00:12:54.885
People brainstorming, talking through, uh,

318
00:12:54.885 --> 00:12:56.645
educating each other on what they're doing internally,

319
00:12:56.715 --> 00:12:57.845
what their focuses are,

320
00:12:57.845 --> 00:12:59.205
what their corporate initiatives are.

321
00:12:59.265 --> 00:13:01.005
So taking all of that, absorbing it,

322
00:13:01.685 --> 00:13:02.525
bringing it back internally

323
00:13:02.545 --> 00:13:03.685
so we can be smarter for our clients.

324
00:13:03.685 --> 00:13:06.405
But then also, um, how do you continue

325
00:13:06.405 --> 00:13:07.965
to build those relationships over time?

326
00:13:08.705 --> 00:13:10.685
And some of those fireside chats, have you sat there

327
00:13:10.705 --> 00:13:13.165
and been like, oh, oh, I hadn't thought about it that way.

328
00:13:13.235 --> 00:13:15.325
Like, any, anything that's come up that you've

329
00:13:15.995 --> 00:13:17.005
kind of made you think?

330
00:13:17.825 --> 00:13:19.235
Nothing earth shattering,

331
00:13:19.235 --> 00:13:22.675
but it, the consistency I think is, is really important

332
00:13:22.775 --> 00:13:24.155
and it's good to hear, right.

333
00:13:24.935 --> 00:13:29.755
The challenges of managing a much broader

334
00:13:29.755 --> 00:13:32.715
stakeholder base than we have in the past year.

335
00:13:32.775 --> 00:13:34.675
So, I think five, ten years ago,

336
00:13:34.755 --> 00:13:36.835
stakeholders were anywhere from three

337
00:13:36.835 --> 00:13:38.755
to five people focused in on fleet.

338
00:13:39.215 --> 00:13:42.035
Now, from one of this morning sessions that I was, uh, able

339
00:13:42.035 --> 00:13:44.795
to be a part of, you're looking at nine to 11,

340
00:13:44.795 --> 00:13:47.995
12, 13 stakeholders that oversee fleet.

341
00:13:48.055 --> 00:13:50.195
So how do you, how do you navigate that dynamic?

342
00:13:51.015 --> 00:13:54.435
Align your solutions, your scope of works

343
00:13:55.175 --> 00:13:56.715
to each individual stakeholder?

344
00:13:56.715 --> 00:14:00.675
And, and really truly understand the why for each part

345
00:14:00.675 --> 00:14:03.155
of the operation, but then also,

346
00:14:03.485 --> 00:14:05.355
supporting the fleet managers to make sure

347
00:14:05.355 --> 00:14:07.715
that they're taken care of within their,

348
00:14:07.725 --> 00:14:09.075
their stakeholder base as well.

349
00:14:09.295 --> 00:14:12.235
And are you having to provide, um, you know,

350
00:14:12.275 --> 00:14:13.635
I guess reporting

351
00:14:13.655 --> 00:14:15.915
or updates for all of those stakeholders as well?

352
00:14:16.055 --> 00:14:19.235
And, and then, you know, if when, when it was two

353
00:14:19.255 --> 00:14:21.955
to five people, a little bit manageable, now

354
00:14:21.955 --> 00:14:23.995
that it's 12, how do you manage that?

355
00:14:24.465 --> 00:14:27.755
So it's, so not all 12 are impacting

356
00:14:27.775 --> 00:14:29.395
or overseeing fleet on a day-to-day basis,

357
00:14:29.495 --> 00:14:31.075
but it could be annually, it could be quarterly.

358
00:14:31.475 --> 00:14:34.555
A lot of our contacts are, some of our key stakeholders are,

359
00:14:34.555 --> 00:14:35.795
are daily, hourly,

360
00:14:35.875 --> 00:14:37.155
type interactions. So yes.

361
00:14:37.235 --> 00:14:39.955
A lot of data to support initiatives, um,

362
00:14:40.075 --> 00:14:42.755
putting together short term, long term plans

363
00:14:43.055 --> 00:14:44.435
to make sure that we're,

364
00:14:44.435 --> 00:14:47.955
we're driving towards the end goal of the organization

365
00:14:47.955 --> 00:14:49.795
that we're supporting, but then also being flexible.

366
00:14:49.795 --> 00:14:53.245
Priorities change rapidly, so we wanna make sure

367
00:14:53.245 --> 00:14:54.605
that we're updating to make sure we're all

368
00:14:54.605 --> 00:14:55.645
rowing in the same direction.

369
00:14:55.645 --> 00:14:57.245
Right. So I imagine that's where, you know,

370
00:14:57.245 --> 00:15:00.325
visibility into the, into the data is critical.

371
00:15:00.325 --> 00:15:02.165
Right. So you can generate those reports and,

372
00:15:02.225 --> 00:15:03.725
and give some accurate reporting.

373
00:15:04.165 --> 00:15:05.885
Absolutely. How do we bring all data into one centralized

374
00:15:06.125 --> 00:15:07.605
platform, normalize it, and then provide

375
00:15:07.605 --> 00:15:09.285
meaningful insight back? Right.

376
00:15:09.985 --> 00:15:12.325
So taking a bit of a turn. Okay.

377
00:15:12.385 --> 00:15:15.085
Um, so as we wrap up the interview, so

378
00:15:15.705 --> 00:15:17.085
we live in a techie world (Mm-Hmm.)

379
00:15:17.385 --> 00:15:21.965
Um, we're looking at screens all day. Right. We are.

380
00:15:22.365 --> 00:15:24.005
I like that at that expression.

381
00:15:24.185 --> 00:15:26.085
Um, so how,

382
00:15:26.545 --> 00:15:29.205
and I dunno if you attended the, uh, opening keynote

383
00:15:29.255 --> 00:15:31.165
where the gentleman was talking about work

384
00:15:31.165 --> 00:15:32.405
life harmony, right?

385
00:15:32.405 --> 00:15:35.285
Mm-Hmm. Um, it almost reminded me of kind

386
00:15:35.285 --> 00:15:37.085
of like lean in a little bit, but, um,

387
00:15:37.585 --> 00:15:39.285
but the whole work life harmony seems

388
00:15:39.285 --> 00:15:40.365
to have resonated with people.

389
00:15:40.595 --> 00:15:44.805
Sure. So what do you do to achieve work life harmony

390
00:15:44.985 --> 00:15:47.445
or work-life balance, or at least just, you know,

391
00:15:47.835 --> 00:15:51.365
have some boundaries between work and personal life?

392
00:15:51.635 --> 00:15:53.485
Sure. That's, um, that's a great question.

393
00:15:53.515 --> 00:15:54.605
I've heard, obviously we have

394
00:15:54.605 --> 00:15:55.645
all heard of work life balance.

395
00:15:55.645 --> 00:15:57.685
Balance, yeah. Work/life integration. Mm-Hmm.

396
00:15:57.885 --> 00:15:59.965
I like worklife harmony. It's much softer. Mm-Hmm.

397
00:16:00.145 --> 00:16:01.925
How do I manage it?

398
00:16:02.145 --> 00:16:03.645
Uh, that's a, that's a tough question.

399
00:16:04.285 --> 00:16:05.805
I think a lot of us are challenged with that,

400
00:16:05.805 --> 00:16:07.565
especially coming out of the covid years,

401
00:16:07.665 --> 00:16:10.965
where our homes became our offices as well.

402
00:16:10.965 --> 00:16:13.045
So the separation was not there.

403
00:16:13.625 --> 00:16:18.285
For me, getting outside. (Okay.)

404
00:16:18.285 --> 00:16:20.725
Getting outside in nature, trying to take a step away.

405
00:16:20.725 --> 00:16:22.165
Whether it's periodically throughout the day

406
00:16:22.165 --> 00:16:23.965
or at night, just to kind

407
00:16:23.965 --> 00:16:26.005
of get away from the technology...

408
00:16:26.095 --> 00:16:27.885
...sitting front of screens. (Right.)

409
00:16:28.105 --> 00:16:30.285
Um, that's definitely something I do

410
00:16:30.685 --> 00:16:32.245
interactions and activities.

411
00:16:32.625 --> 00:16:34.645
So we have three kids, so they keep us busy as well.

412
00:16:34.655 --> 00:16:36.645
(There you go.) Um, so making sure that we're spending time

413
00:16:36.645 --> 00:16:38.405
with them, having fun playing

414
00:16:38.465 --> 00:16:39.925
and not being distracted

415
00:16:39.925 --> 00:16:41.885
by the screens for that period of time. Right.

416
00:16:42.425 --> 00:16:46.165
So when you say get outside, I, I fully appreciate that.

417
00:16:46.465 --> 00:16:49.405
And the other thing too, though is I notice

418
00:16:49.505 --> 00:16:52.805
so many people when they are outside have headphones on,

419
00:16:52.805 --> 00:16:54.725
or their air.. earbuds in,

420
00:16:55.105 --> 00:16:56.725
and I just, for me personally,

421
00:16:57.205 --> 00:16:59.365
I don't wanna have any sort of connection.

422
00:16:59.435 --> 00:17:01.965
Like, I wanna hear the bird singing

423
00:17:02.265 --> 00:17:04.525
or just hear the air.

424
00:17:04.845 --> 00:17:07.245
I don't know what it is. Yeah. But like, I just feel like,

425
00:17:07.245 --> 00:17:09.965
listen, I've been connected to my computer all day,

426
00:17:10.125 --> 00:17:11.245
I don't wanna be connected

427
00:17:11.245 --> 00:17:12.605
to something else while I'm outside.

428
00:17:12.605 --> 00:17:14.845
Right. Like, I just wanna be, you know? Yes.

429
00:17:14.905 --> 00:17:19.205
So, um, are there any particular, like, I don't know,

430
00:17:19.585 --> 00:17:21.085
and I just having just said that,

431
00:17:21.385 --> 00:17:22.845
is there any particular like app

432
00:17:22.845 --> 00:17:25.725
or anything that you use to help you get outside?

433
00:17:25.725 --> 00:17:27.325
Right? Like you're tracking your steps?

434
00:17:27.545 --> 00:17:31.165
Are you doing like a, a meditation app

435
00:17:31.225 --> 00:17:33.125
or like something that's driving you,

436
00:17:33.125 --> 00:17:35.005
like it's reminding you to get outside? Sure.

437
00:17:35.305 --> 00:17:38.205
Um, there's definitely no reminders to get outside.

438
00:17:38.485 --> 00:17:40.285
I, I try to do it when I do remember. Right.

439
00:17:40.465 --> 00:17:42.325
Um, but when I am out there, uh,

440
00:17:42.665 --> 00:17:44.605
it could be Spotify listening to music Mm-Hmm.

441
00:17:44.945 --> 00:17:48.205
Um, sometimes I will keep the ear, the AirPods in the house.

442
00:17:48.205 --> 00:17:50.220
Mm-Hmm. Just have my phone to track my steps. Mm-Hmm.

443
00:17:50.585 --> 00:17:54.205
And as you mentioned, um, just enjoy the surroundings

444
00:17:54.205 --> 00:17:56.165
and the, the noises of nature. Right,

445
00:17:56.165 --> 00:17:57.165
Right, right. Well,

446
00:17:57.165 --> 00:17:58.565
this has been a lovely conversation

447
00:17:58.825 --> 00:18:00.525
and, uh, congratulations again on

448
00:18:00.565 --> 00:18:01.645
a hundred years to the company.

449
00:18:01.665 --> 00:18:04.885
Yes, thank you. And, um, I know you're eight years in

450
00:18:05.385 --> 00:18:08.725
and, um, but with the culture of the company,

451
00:18:08.745 --> 00:18:11.245
it sounds like this might be a very long-term

452
00:18:11.245 --> 00:18:12.285
thing for you. So

453
00:18:12.475 --> 00:18:14.205
That is, that is the goal. Yes. Yeah.

454
00:18:14.635 --> 00:18:16.045
Well, congratulations again.

455
00:18:16.105 --> 00:18:17.245
It was lovely to have you on the

456
00:18:17.245 --> 00:18:18.285
show. Thank you for joining us.

457
00:18:18.295 --> 00:18:20.445
Thank you. Thank you for having me. I appreciate it. Yep.

458
00:18:20.705 --> 00:18:22.405
Thanks for listening to The Mile Marker podcast.

459
00:18:22.865 --> 00:18:25.205
If you liked what you heard today, give us a, like,

460
00:18:25.335 --> 00:18:27.005
share this episode on social media

461
00:18:27.345 --> 00:18:30.045
and even take a minute to give us a review on iTunes

462
00:18:30.065 --> 00:18:32.005
or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

463
00:18:32.425 --> 00:18:34.805
Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you can join us

464
00:18:34.825 --> 00:18:37.005
for future episodes full of insights

465
00:18:37.005 --> 00:18:39.845
and ideas to keep the mobility industry moving forward.