The First Word: Understanding NAFA’s Strategic Direction

My inspiration for this month’s column comes from something I am very close to all the time: NAFA’s strategic plan. In fact, as I write this, I am putting aside work that would have me preparing for the NAFA Board meeting later this week where I’ll be presenting an update on the plan to more than sixty volunteer leaders of the association. In preparing for that meeting, however, it dawned on me that it would be beneficial to share highlights of the strategic plan with all of you, not just the Board members.

The most important thing to know about NAFA’s strategic plan is that it is developed by fleet managers and suppliers just like you who serve on the NAFA Board of Governors. I, and sometimes a hired strategic planning expert, will lead the Board through the planning process, but the ideas, thoughts, direction, and priorities are all set by Members and Affiliates of this association. That’s what gives the plan such vitality and life: it addresses the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s fleet world and positions the association to be the leader on those issues.

The volunteer leaders work on strategic issues at every Board meeting. For instance, last October the Board reviewed NAFA’s mission statement, brand promise, and reasons for being; they also brainstormed ideas related to increasing the number of members in the association and strengthening our chapters. In November, the Trustees conducted an external scan of industry demographics, business and economic conditions, and other factors and determined how NAFA needs to address those issues. In February, they devised new ways to accomplish NAFA’s goals related to our certification programs.

The result of all of this work is a clear path for success that I would like to highlight for you here. Each of these items, from our mission statement to our very specific objectives, are the guiding principles that are helping move NAFA in to an era of unprecedented growth and expansion.

NAFA’s Mission Statement - NAFA is the association for the vehicle fleet management profession. Our purpose is to promote the highest levels of professional management of vehicles, enabling all members to improve their ability to contribute to an employer’s success. We accomplish our goals through quality educational endeavors, sharing of fleet expertise, government and industry relations, and a broad range of direct services to members.

NAFA’s Brand Promise - NAFA Fleet Management Association knows, understands, and supports you as a member of the community of professional fleet managers. You know us as a trusted partner providing industry-wide, cutting-edge leadership in representing and advancing the fleet management profession and the careers of practitioners like you. You can rely with confidence on NAFA Fleet Management Association as your primary source for the technical knowledge, training, and representation you need to support your organization and succeed in your career.

NAFA’s Brand position - To individuals responsible for any aspect of managing a fleet of vehicles, NAFA Fleet Management Association is the professional association that will give you the knowledge and support you need to succeed because it is the clear leader in defining the profession and providing the knowledge needed to effectively perform the many responsibilities of the profession.

NAFA’s Reason for Being - To provide the leadership and focus necessary to define and promote the profession of fleet management and the professionals who practice it.

NAFA’s Character - NAFA is and will be known as:

Cutting-edge
Innovative
Knowledgeable
Professional
The leader
Ethical
Diverse
Integral

NAFA’s Goals - NAFA will be its members’ indispensable resource at all levels for fleet management education, industry knowledge, networking, and industry services.

NAFA will be the recognized advocate for the fleet industry and the primary source of fleet information and knowledge to industry partners, government, fleet managers, and decision-makers.

NAFA will be financially and structurally prepared to achieve its core purpose and goals.

NAFA’s 2012 Objectives:

Increase effectiveness of technology to connect members to the association and each other
Increase loyalty to the NAFA brand
Decrease "time-to-market" of NAFA products and services
Increase assertive advocacy on issues of priority to membership
Increase membership retention
Increase chapter value and sustainability

As noted above, the thoughts and direction for NAFA’s strategic plan come directly from the members of the Board of Governors. However, that does not mean you do not have a voice if you are not on the Board. I encourage you to share your thoughts with me directly, or any of the Officers, Trustees, or Board members. More so, I encourage you to share your ideas, resources, and talents with NAFA by volunteering to serve on a national committee or on your local chapter board so your voice can be heard. Being an active and engaged Member or Affiliate is the best way to make sure NAFA is what you want and need it to be now and in the future.

Sincerely,

prusso@nafa.org

NAFA Fleet Management Association
125 Village Blvd., Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540

Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004