As we reflect on the last three months and the impact of a global pandemic, the world still seems filled with uncertainty. But the events that have unfolded since lockdowns and stay-at-home orders began also bring to light the necessity of trucking in our everyday lives. While we’ve lived it for a number of years, the outside world has more recently and readily acknowledged the hard work and dedication this industry provides to keep our country running.
While we still don’t know what will happen next, it is interesting to consider what our world may look like on the other side of this.
A shift in how we communicate
The impact of the current pandemic has shifted the ways we connect with one another.
For those that are on the front lines – on the road, in maintenance shops, or in any way coming into contact with others – social interactions have certainly changed. Many are wearing medical masks, keeping their physical distance from one another, and limiting the number of individuals allowed in certain areas or on shifts.
As many of us have hunkered down at home, at least in some capacity, that means a lot more communication remotely – whether that’s emails, instant messages, phone calls, or video chats.
If you hadn’t heard of UberConference, Zoom, Webex, or any of the other forms of remote teleconferencing tools before mid-March, you are probably very familiar with those apps and programs now. I’ve become well-versed with many video conferencing tools the last three months myself while working remotely from home.
Some have embraced it, others loathe it. While teleconferencing is no substitute for real interaction, it has truly become a way to connect with others. I stand somewhere between those two extremes on any given day. But, I have to say, when you physically see another person and can read and respond to their facial expressions and non-verbal cues, it helps to build a connection and relate to one another. There is no replacement for face-to-face interactions, but virtual conversation has become a new normal.
Travel and trade shows have ceased for the foreseeable future. As a result, many organizations have begun to share knowledge remotely through webcasts and virtual discussions. It is critical that we utilize whatever resources we have to understand the impact of this pandemic. These events can help to not only understand the current business environment, but also to educate on future business challenges once the pandemic is long over.
Survey follow-up
Industry organizations like the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the industry. With that, TMC released the results of its second survey on how the coronavirus is impacting maintenance operations. First conducted in March, the follow-up survey shows the impact to the maintenance labor force – including technicians, supervisors, and managers – as well as parts and equipment has been minimal, though slightly higher than indicated in the first survey. Concerns for receiving deliveries and supplies for shop consumables was a bit higher, but still minimal.
“The ability to recruit, hire, and train new or replacement technicians continues to be a challenge, with moderate disruptions currently being encountered, as was reported in the first survey,” according to TMC’s Impacts of COVID-19 on Maintenance Operations of Fleets and Service Providers report. “This represents decreasing levels of concern relative to what was expressed in the first survey.”
While the overall results seem to show a lesser expected impact than originally thought, the uncertainty still lingers.
Positive changes
As you review procedures and methods for managing your operations, consider ways in which the current situation may allow for a long-term positive change in how you navigate your business.
Establishing and understanding new ways to communicate is a major step in the right direction – whether that’s adapting to new ways of interacting with others, educating yourself and your team through alternative means like webcasts and virtual training, or participating in surveys to provide feedback.
As we manage and adjust to these strange times, we have established a new normal. While the adjustment continues, new routines shift into habits and long-term changes in the way we do things. It’s important to reflect on the way these changes will impact the future.
