Tips to prepare your mobility strategy in the context of today’s ecosystem
Due to the introduction of new forms of corporate mobility (e.g. e-bike schemes, ridehailing, ridesharing or carsharing and zero-emission vehicles) as well as the rise of the hybrid working model and technological advances, the corporate mobility ecosystem is changing rapidly. Interconnected with a network of systems and mobility services, it is becoming ever-more complex and increasingly user-centric. Hence, there is no time to waste in preparing your fleet and mobility strategy in the context of today’s ecosystem.
Evaluate the past, analyse the present, forecast the future
In the context of today’s ecosystem, your fleet and mobility strategy requires a holistic approach to focus on the way a system’s constituent parts interrelate and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems. This means you must first gain an understanding of the interdependent structures and players in the dynamic mobility system, and then of their effects on one another, your business and your mobility requirements over time. Just like a traditional strategy, an ecosystem strategy is about evaluating the past, analysing the present and forecasting the future. However, unlike a traditional strategy, it considers a broader sphere of influence to include the dynamic intent and actions of the various players in the market and the mobility needs of your organisation and your employees.
Here are four key steps to consider when preparing your organisation’s fleet and mobility strategy.
1. Consult the business to identify objectives
A key part of developing the strategy is to define the purpose of mobility. A good fleet and mobility strategy should outline how it aligns with the business objective as a whole: the what, why and how. Therefore, the fleet & mobility manager should study the whole organisation to understand the needs, requirements, purposes and other factors that play a role in how the various departments within the company use mobility. If you fail to consult all the relevant stakeholders when putting together the strategy, your new mobility programme may not meet the needs of all users. Click here to learn more about how to onboard new mobility stakeholders during your journey.
2. Examine the market and mitigate risks
In a rapidly evolving market, it’s advisable to keep a close eye on the new mobility players and their capabilities. Today’s mobility ecosystem is full of tech-savvy start-ups with innovative new developments and digital services. Allow yourself sufficient time in your strategy preparation to conduct a thorough RFI process so that you can really get to grips with the market and the capabilities of the various new players.
It is also worth considering future factors and possible interruptions. Future factors can include the possibility of technological advances which – throughout the life of your strategy – could affect your fleet and mobility operations. Ensure a flexible strategy to accommodate changes and set out an approval protocol in advance.
3. Develop a mobility lifecycle plan
A mobility lifecycle plan considers the entire life of the asset (e.g. an electric vehicle) or mobility service (e.g. corporate carsharing), from procurement through to disposal or end of the subscription. It outlines how the mobility asset or service will be procured, used, maintained, repaired and managed, and should form part of your fleet and mobility strategy.
4. Set and prioritise goals and develop a roadmap to achieve them
Your mobility strategy should not only state your goals (e.g. to achieve to zero emissions by 2030 globally), but also outline your tactical plan for accomplishing them (e.g. by immediately offering electric vehicles or e-bikes in those markets that are already EV-ready, and by offering them in other markets when they have achieved certain basic requirements for electrification such as fiscal incentives and adequate charging infrastructure). You should prioritise the goals based on your business needs and the market availability.
Seizing the ecosystem opportunity in mobility
There’s no point in having a mobility strategy in the context of today’s ecosystem unless you monitor its effect. That’s why it is paramount to define mobility performance indicators and establish ways of measuring your success. It’s also important to keep your mobility strategy agile enough to respond to unprecedented circumstances, especially when business-critical mobility is involved.
If you want to know more and engage with peers who are facing similar challenges and opportunities or who have already embarked on their journey towards smart corporate mobility, join us for our next online session of the Smart Mobility Institute on 16 September.
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Author: Saskia Harreman
