The term, “think global, act local” has been used in various contexts in business. It urges companies to consider the implications of their actions from a worldwide perspective while taking action on a specific country-by-country basis.

As the auto industry continues to forge global strategic partnerships to better meet the needs of a growing customer base, so too must the fleet management industry to stay competitive and relevant.

But it’s important to realize that we can’t do it alone.

As a former “expatriate” who spent almost six years overseas in various countries, I was charged with driving best practices in customer relationship management, business development, six sigma initiatives, and most importantly, the corporate values that underpinned everything we did.

One thing I know for certain, some of the best talent and ideas comes from the local area, no matter where you do business. They understand the culture, business practices, and market environment to be successful. It’s no different in the fleet management business.

For us, it’s critical to select global partners who mirror Donlen’s value proposition – financial stability, high quality service delivery, innovative & empowering technology, strategic consulting, and green solutions to reduce fleet environmental impact and overall cost.

Donlen has strategic partnerships in three key markets – Europe, Mexico, and Canada – and each of these markets presents their own opportunities and challenges:

• Europe: perhaps the most complex and mature market of the three due to unique legal and regulatory requirements by country, variety of fleet vehicle makes and models, and wide range of products and services (i.e. – contract hire, contract purchase, finance lease, various maintenance management schemes, and employee car ownership programs to name just a few!) Our partnership with Athlon International – with over 680,000 vehicles on lease – gives us a relationship with an award winning full service provider with market access to 18 countries in Europe.
• Mexico: products and services in this market reflect European standards, and establishing a solid relationship is critical to a successful partnership. Our partner there, with over 15,000 vehicles under management, has been active in Mexico since 2002 with offices in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
• Canada: the market that is most like the US; Donlen’s long-standing relationship with our Canadian partner, Transportaction, gives us the ability to provide services our customers are accustomed to in the US.

In order to truly “think global” we must provide the necessary services and support to our global customers so they can succeed.

We also know to “act local” we must have solid partnerships to help meet the specific needs on a country by country basis.