"You're never as smart as everyone in the room—especially if you're not listening to your team."
🚀 Episode Summary
In this dynamic and refreshingly honest episode of The Fleet Success Show, hosts Sara Burnam and Facundo Tassara—two seasoned fleet professionals—reveal the real tips and tricks every new fleet manager needs to thrive in their first year. From navigating government procurement red tape to decoding snake oil salesmen, this episode is packed with laughs, “aha” moments, and hard-earned wisdom that you won’t find in a manual.
Sara shares how her fifth-year leap into the "100 Best Fleets" was game-changing, and Facundo recounts how being stuck behind a train on his first day led to earning the trust of a skeptical technician. The duo emphasizes networking, certifications, and shutting up long enough to actually hear your team out.
Whether you're brand new or looking for a fleet leadership refresh, this episode is a goldmine of actionable advice—and it's way more fun than a fleet manual.
Key Takeaways:
- 🎯 Don’t change everything on day one. Earn trust first.
- 🧠 Listen to your seasoned staff—they know where the bodies are buried.
- 📊 Use your fleet data to tell compelling stories and secure resources.
- 💬 Have an elevator pitch ready with fleet KPIs and facts.
- 📚 Get your CAFM certification—it’s worth it.
- 🤝 Build relationships outside your department: procurement, leadership, and customers matter.
- 🧪 Always pilot before fully implementing a new system or product.
- 🐍 Beware of snake oil salesmen promising miracle fuel savings.
👥 Meet the Experts:
Sara Burnam – Fleet Success Manager at RTA With over 27 years of fleet and automotive experience, Sara has led large government fleets with multimillion-dollar budgets and 60+ team members. Most notably, she was named Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year (2023). Now at RTA, she brings her leadership and operational insights to help other fleets succeed.
Facundo Tassara – Fleet Success Manager at RTA From wrenching in his dad’s mechanic shop to managing city fleets and working in fleet tech startups, Facundo blends hands-on experience with high-level strategy. His coaching style is candid, practical, and deeply informed by real-world success (and a few hard lessons).
PODCAST HOT TAKES:
He Said WHAT on My First Day?!
Shut Up and Listen: Best Advice for New Fleet Managers
I Thought 100 Best Fleets Was Like Fleet Hunger Games 😂
Snake Oil Salesmen in Fleet? Yep. 🐍
#1 PODCAST FOR FLEET PROS
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