Why Listening to Fleet Managers Matters
In the world of fleet management, having the right tool can make all the difference in improving fleet performance, streamlining operations, and reducing costs. With so many options available, the question arises: What software is best for fleet management? For Nadim Rafehi, co-founder and CTO of Sky Ledge, the answer is a platform built with the constant feedback of real fleet mangers - because developing a fleet management platform that truly meets their needs requires more than just innovation; it demands a deep understanding of the user. Here’s how Nadim’s approach ensures Sky Ledge meets the real needs of fleet managers.
Understanding fleet managers is crucial. What their responsibilities are, their problems, how they go about solving them, what slows them down, and even the language they use. “The first step is understanding who your customers are, what problems they face, and being able to speak the same language,” says Nadim. It's important to directly engage with the people who will use the software daily.
Nadim goes on to explain, “If I’m building software to improve a process, I can’t make assumptions. I need to talk to the people who are actually using it.” This ensures that the platform addresses the real fleet management issues, like fuel theft and fleet tracking, rather than just guessing what might be useful.
Feedback is key to fleet management software that actually helps. “When you start a project, day one is when you know the least about the problem,” he says. “In two months, six months, or a year, you’ll know so much more.” This means that locking into a development path early on can be risky. Instead, Nadim supports an approach where software is built in stages, tested with real users, and adapted based on their fleet insights and feedback.
By building bit by bit and checking in with users, teams can stay on track and deliver solutions that alleviate a lot of the pain points of fleet managers.
Knowing if the software is truly helpful involves looking at user feedback and data. Nadim uses a mix of user engagement metrics and direct feedback to gauge the software’s effectiveness. For instance, when Sky Ledge released its fuel theft reports, users initially had to check each vehicle's fleet tracking data to see who the driver was at the time of the theft. After receiving feedback, Nadim’s team added driver information to each report, saving users time and reducing hassle.
Nadim also tracks how often features are used. “We can measure how users are interacting with features, where they’re getting stuck, and whether they’re coming back to use it again,” he says. This helps identify areas for improvement and ensures Sky Ledge continues to meet user needs.
Nadim warns against the “we know better” attitude. He believes in learning continuously from fleet managers rather than making assumptions. “Even the idea of having a two- or three-year roadmap implies a level of overconfidence,” he says. “The truth is, you won’t know all the answers until you’re deep into the process.”
So, instead of sticking to rigid plans, Nadim’s team learns from fleet managers and adapts rather than following rigid plans like some fleet management companies might do. This flexibility helps Sky Ledge evolve with the needs of fleet managers.
Innovation should complement, not replace, user feedback. But user feedback doesn't mean the job is to have "users tell us what to do, but to understand their problems and come up with solutions,” Nadim explains. While users might suggest solutions, Nadim focuses on digging deeper to get to the core of the issues fleet managers have. "That's speaking to customers but also speaking to experts in the field that understand the space and building up the right picture." So while user feedback is valuable, it isn't the entire process, it's part of the process. After all, "to solve a problem, you need to first understand the problem".
At Sky Ledge, Nadim’s approach makes it clear that at the heart of a powerful product is a commitment to continuous learning and user feedback. By asking the right questions, to the right people, and listening carefully to the answers, we can create solutions that resonate deeply with users and drive real impact. As Nadim puts it, “It’s about learning from your customers, understanding what they’re trying to do, and solving their problems—not coming in with all the answers.”
For fleet managers, this means Sky Ledge offers a powerful tool that addresses your most pressing fleet concerns, thanks to a development process that truly understands your needs. Questions like “How can I track my fleet in real time?” and “How can I improve fleet efficiency?” are answered with Sky Ledge’s user-focused, tailored approach to software development.
By concentrating on the real needs of fleet managers, Sky Ledge stands out as a top software choice for fleet management, providing clear, actionable insights and continuous improvements driven by real-world use.
