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Shelley Mika


Shelley Mika

About the Author: Shelley Mika is the CEO of Mika Ink, an Omaha, Nebraska-based communications, branding and content strategy firm. She has been writing about the fleet industry since 2006.

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Fleet Management 2035: The Skills Needed for Future Success

| Shelley Mika |
Over the last decade, numerous industry changes and challenges – think vehicle electrification, navigating a global pandemic and the growth of data-based decision-making – have all but forced fleet managers to develop new skills. As we consider the next 10 years, what talents will utility fleet managers of the future need to successfully overcome obstacles […]
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Under the Radar: Autonomous Trucks Continue Moving Forward

| Shelley Mika |
It wasn’t long ago that news headlines suggested fully autonomous trucks would soon dominate American roadways. Those predictions have subsided, but truck OEMs and vehicle technology companies continue to refine and advance their autonomous solutions, often outside the spotlight. Meanwhile, various states are working their way through legislation that could further delay mass deployment of […]
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On Your Radar: Four Fleet Maintenance Trends for 2025

| Shelley Mika |
To accurately forecast trends for the coming year, some consideration must be given to the past. In recent years, utility fleet leaders – in addition to their many other responsibilities – have been tasked with safely guiding employees through a pandemic while also trying to stay on top of an ever-increasing number of new vehicles […]
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Grid Capacity Tool Helps Fleet Managers Plan EV Charging Infrastructure

| Shelley Mika |
Establishing adequate charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is among the challenges utility fleet managers and their staff must successfully navigate to achieve their organization’s vehicle and equipment electrification goals. The first step is determining whether the organization has the capacity to support its electrification plans; if sufficient capacity does not exist, decisions must be made […]
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Best Practices for Developing a Safe Driving Program

| Shelley Mika |
Utility fleets have many reasons to implement a safe driving program. Besides the obvious – to reduce the risk of accidents and protect the lives of fleet drivers – lowering crash rates can also save fleets costs related to vehicle repairs, rental costs, decreased productivity, vehicle downtime, insurance premium increases and high-dollar lawsuits. If you’re […]
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Spec’ing Bucket Trucks to Improve Roadside Safety

| Shelley Mika |
Bucket trucks are a big investment, so when the time comes to purchase a new one, it’s important to get it right. Beyond spec’ing bucket trucks based on the application and operating conditions, it’s also important to spec them for safety. Representatives from two bucket truck manufacturers – Altec and Terex Utilities – recently spoke […]

The Future of Telematics: Top Trends to Watch

| Shelley Mika |
Telematics data is among the most powerful fleet management tools. Fleet managers can use it to solve challenges, optimize operations, improve driver safety, reduce emissions and drive meaningful change across their business – all for the benefit of drivers, the public and the bottom line. The telematics industry and the ways fleets use the data […]
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6 Factors to Consider When Developing or Updating Your Fleet’s Idling Policy

| Shelley Mika |
When it comes to unnecessary fuel waste and carbon emissions, idling is a notorious offender. Creating a new policy or updating an existing one can help you keep it in check – and considering these six factors can help you get a jump start. 1. The Right Time If your fleet hasn’t established an idling […]
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The Fleet Department’s Role in Curbing Distracted Driving Incidents

| Shelley Mika |
In 2022, 3,308 people were killed in the U.S. as a result of distracted driving. With human life at risk, not to mention the associated financial costs, a focus on reducing distracted driving is a must for fleets. While a utility company’s safety department typically establishes distracted driving policies and training, the fleet department plays […]
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What to Consider When Coordinating OEM Training Opportunities for Your Shop Technicians

| Shelley Mika |
Utility vehicles continually evolve to better meet fleet needs. While these advancements may make life easier for the operator or fleet manager, oftentimes they result in greater complexity for technicians. For this reason, OEMs offer training programs that help in-house shop technicians stay up to date on the latest models. Although OEMs host trainings, lining […]