June 2003
It’s rewarding to see that membership of the Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) remains steady and this indicates that all member companies are realizing the value of compliance with the standards of good practice outlined in the Association’s Code and Charters and Constitution and the power of cooperation in matters of industry wide interest.
The full and associate membership mix of around 50 companies comprises specialists in leasing, rental and fleet management as well as motor manufacturers and importers, financial institutions and a selection of blue chip companies supplying ancillary products and services to them.
With the SAVRALA member companies in each of these industry sectors having a specific and sometimes ‘blinkered’ view on aspects of business outside of their immediate focus, putting every element of the fleet management and rental mix into a training perspective is essential for them. In addition, corporate and government fleet managers have a need to consolidate their understanding of, and develop their skills in, the multiple facets of fleet management.
With the dearth of focussed fleet management training available generally, the need for sustained industry interaction and sharing of knowledge was highlighted at a recent training sub-committee meeting. The consensus is that the development of fleet management training material at a more advanced level is a must for the fleet management and rental industries, as well as for government and private sector corporate fleet operators, and SAVRALA has reaffirmed its intention to implement this.
The fleet management training programme currently administered by National Private Colleges (Lyceum Advancement College), and endorsed by SAVRALA, deals with basic concepts and, according to feedback from a number of satisfied learners, provides an invaluable introduction to the various components making up the fleet management and rental mix.
In Fleet Management Concepts 1 for example, students are instructed on how to develop a corporate fleet policy, tutored on vehicle selection, procurement and finance, asset loss and damage risk management and more.
When operating in a highly complex environment – fleet management for example – the ability to maintain tight control of vehicle operating costs can be the make or break of a business.
While calculating a vehicle’s operating costs from cradle to grave, working out depreciation and interest costs and understanding how and why to adjust present value costs to allow for inflation, may seem daunting to a fleet management newcomer, the accuracy of such calculations are critical to every fleet manager’s success, be they in the rental or fleet management industries directly or responsible for a government or corporate fleet.
Good news is that following the Council for Higher Education’s (CHE) May 2003 audit, the accreditation status of this programme should be confirmed by mid-July. In the interim, it’s full steam ahead with planning the development of the material for the next phase of the training programme.
It’s Showtime Folks!
Just a reminder that the Manufacturer of the Year Awards takes place on Friday 24 October 2003 in the magnificent new Kgotla Banqueting Hall at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways. With the overwhelming support shown by the motor manufacturing fraternity in particular, Stars on Broadway 2003 will be a show to remember!
To those early birds who have made their reservations, thank you. A limited number of tables are still available so don’t delay in booking yours. The cost per table seating 10 guests is just R3 750.00 excl. VAT. SAVRALA members, please email your requirements and contact details to [email protected]
London calling …
It’s 6.20 am, on a bright blue Monday morning in London. From the fourth floor of a hotel just a boundary ball away from Marble Arch, there’s not a pigeon perched as far as the eye can see. Evidence indeed that the strict ‘air traffic’ control measures taken by the birdmen of Westminster council are working. Feeding is fiercely discouraged and rows of metal rods guard the sills of high-rise windows.
Road traffic, on the other hand, has provided a constant background hum for the past hour or two. In addition to the ubiquitous red buses and cabs, delivery vans, commercial vehicles et al, a huge number of private cars – many drivers going solo – continue to stream into the City, in spite of the recently imposed five pounds traffic congestion tax.
With cameras keeping track of who’s in and who’s out, administering a NaTIS-type strategy of such proportions – not least of all the resultant paper chase – would send most of us running for cover!