What does the new normal look like for you? Good question. Socially distanced desks? A one-way system in the office? Half the staff still working from home? Or is it impossible to return to work just yet?
All of these – and more – of that I have no doubt.
But in the ‘new normal’, whatever that is, there is a massive opportunity to rethink operations, reconsider tried and trusted ways, question the authenticity of business the way it was.
It has to be that way. The lockdown has accelerated many trends that we were already experiencing: increasing digitisation, the use of video conferencing to replace physical meetings, and the flexibility of homeworking.
All of these ask questions of pre-coronavirus business behaviours. And none more so than preserving liquidity within the business.
Our finance director, Angela Robertson, has worked tirelessly during lockdown to continually assess if we are being financially efficient. I’m sure the same is happening nationwide across businesses of all sizes.
So here’s something I want to put on the agenda. For those fleets that continue to outright purchase their company vehicles, I want to ask one question: is that the best way to use your finances – to wrap up cash in assets that are depreciating, and now subject to uncertain residual values?
As head of a fleet management company, I would seriously question that. Post lockdown, leasing has to be a more efficient way to retain funds within your business.
Business contract hire provides access to another line of finance that can be used to keep your employees mobile, or to provide a vehicle as part of your company’s benefits package.
It’s an inexpensive way to put drivers in cars and it is simple to budget compared with purchasing. Add in maintenance and your fleet’s business motoring costs can be fully budgeted save for fuel and insurance. And, of course, if you opted for a zero emission electric vehicle the fuel cost disappears. There is, also, no concern over unpredictable future residual values.
More than this, however, is the preservation of funds to invest in driving your core business forward. It provides your business the extra liquidity to explore new opportunities that the ‘new normal’ offers up. And strengthens the ability of your enterprise to withstand unforeseen financial shocks.
So while your company considers its financial efficiency, and plots a way forward in such an uncertain future, consider what leasing could do for your fleet. And for your core business.
What does the new normal look like for you? Good question. Socially distanced desks? A one-way system in the office? Half the staff still working from home? Or is it impossible to return to work just yet? All of these – and more – of that I have no doubt. But in the ‘new normal’, … Continued
There’s no hiding from the fact: air quality continues to be an issue in Glasgow, where Fleet Alliance is headquartered. Scotland’s most polluted street – Hope Street, Glasgow – still has higher levels of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide than is permitted under European Ambient Air Quality Directive. The permitted level is more than 22% above … Continued
One of the many things that attracts me to electric cars is their innate simplicity. There’s a complete absence of all those valves, tappets, pistons and associated paraphernalia that make up an internal combustion engine. Don’t get me wrong – the sound and performance of these engines can be spectacular, visceral. But electric cars are … Continued
Walking around the nearly deserted streets of my home city Glasgow – during my once a day choice of exercise – two things struck me: how silent were the streets; and how clean the air. I know it’s a desperate time, but it’s important to look for positivity around us. This lack of noise – … Continued
Recent history has suggested fleets should run for their tin hats whenever the Chancellor gets up to announce a Budget. But not this, Rishi Sunak’s first as Chancellor. I was impressed all round by the positive response and support to business in the face of the coronavirus outbreak with all of its unknown outcomes. Whether … Continued
Changes to OpRA. Yes, yes, I know, very dull. That’s an ‘Optional Remuneration Arrangement’, if you’re at all unsure. Still, I remember people talking very animatedly about the situation at a BMW Group fleet drive event, rather than the very impressive BMW 5 Series we had just been driving. During lunch one of the new … Continued
I’m learning a different language. It’s kWh rather than mpg. I mean we have all become used to mpg, even though our fuel is delivered in litres. But no matter… Anyway, on the road to zero emissions and electric cars, we need to come to terms with this new language. And you won’t find it … Continued
Norway. We have much in common with our Norse neighbours. As the UK plots its exit from the EU, we’ll join Norway as a non-member outside the European Union; the UK and Norway are significant trading partners – the UK is Norway’s biggest export market; and, of course, our cultural heritage is intrinsically linked with … Continued
We have an interesting viewpoint from our Fleet Alliance HQ. Sitting on the ninth floor we have stunning views across Glasgow. When it’s not raining, of course. But as a fleet provider, we are constantly advising our customers about steps to cleaning up the emissions of their fleets, especially with so many Clean Air Zones … Continued
So here we are – a new year, a new decade. And with boundless opportunities – if we wish to grasp them. But that’s the point of new year resolutions, isn’t it? Will yours be a dry January? Will you go the full course, or slip to temptation? And will all meat and dairy produce … Continued