In a keynote address, titled “Driving from the Red Zone to the End Zone,” presented at the Technology & Maintenance Council Fall Meeting and National Skills Competition – TMC SuperTech 2009, Jack Conlan, senior vice president of parts and service for Daimler Trucks North America, outlined five key steps to developing and maintaining a winning game plan for 2010.
Using a football analogy, Conlan outlined five “plays” managers could use to drive from the “red zone” to the “end zone” in 2010 and beyond.
“2010 will be the time to execute proven plays at the line of scrimmage – it won’t be a time of improvising, last minute audibles or Hail Mary’s,” said Conlan. “By developing and maintaining renewed levels of discipline, experience, preparation, partnership and transparency, 2010 will simply become the time to drive the ball into the emissions ‘end zone,’ safely and profitably for your companies, your teams and the entire industry.”
Conlan’s five game-winning principles for 2010 were:
· No Time for Costly Penalties – a team must maintain a “disciplined approach” to get to the end zone. There is no time for costly penalties. Develop operational metrics that are transparent to all managers so they can be involved and open to solving problems as they occur.
· Go with the Best Prepared Players – now is not the time to question if one of your players has had the right training or not. Partner with manufacturers, suppliers and technologies that not only meet the standards, but exceed them.
· Winning Coaches Value Experience – in the current high-stakes environment, do not underestimate the value of experience and proven outcomes. Conlan used the example of Detroit Diesel engines which he said will be easy to service in 2010 because there will be no changes from the DD13, DD15 and DD16 engines introduced within the last two years, and were designed to integrate with the new emissions technology.
· Have all the Right Gear and Equipment – now is not the time to question if you, or your service provider, has the right tools and parts available – you need to have all the appropriate gear. OEMs should make available online and instructor-led educational and certification compliance programs for trainers and technicians. Training course material for 2010 Systems Certification needs to include both the aftertreatment system and on-board diagnostics, including additional hands-on experience in diagnostics for the aftertreatment system, Conlan said.
· The Entire Team Must Be on the Same Page – not only the players and coaches, but suppliers, employees and support personnel. To be successful, he suggested you build a strong, committed and knowledgeable network. Education across the company on the diagnostic tools used for 2010, along with system warning functions, will ensure that vehicles are performing at their peak levels and will give drivers the confidence of maximized vehicle uptime and minimized fuel costs, according to Conlan.
