A Happy Family

Advantages of Fleet Car Servicing on The Sunshine Coast

>> Jul 4, 2018

We all know the saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ and when it comes to car fleet services; that’s certainly the case. Businesses rely heavily on their vehicles yet are often so busy they forget about regular maintenance.

The fact is, professional fleet maintenance services will not only keep your company’s vehicles on the road but will also reduce your running costs.

image:svsautocare.com.au

The secret is to find the right local vehicle specialists for the job. Ideally, you want a team of highly skilled technicians who will look after the entire process for you. They will determine the most convenient schedule, let you know when servicing is due, collect your vehicles, service them and then return your vehicles promptly so you can keep your team on the road making you money.

In the day-to-day operations of a busy company, it’s so easy to overlook things like oil changes, brake system maintenance and other important checks. Keeping these tasks up-to-date, on the other hand, offers so many financial and operational benefits.

Reliability

To maintain your excellent customer service reputation, you can’t afford unexpected breakdowns on the job. This will not only cause delays but could incur penalties. A late delivery could very well turn into a lost customer.

Your fleet needs to be ready to go at all times; your employees need to get on the road, get the job done and return safely to base. The only way to ensure this is always the case is to arrange regular fleet car servicing on the Sunshine Coast.

Save Money

It’s a known fact that well maintained vehicles save you money. They are more efficient, less likely to need expensive repairs and will last longer. They will also achieve a better re-sale price.

As a business, one of your biggest costs is probably fuel to keep your fleet on the road. With regular servicing your vehicles will give you improved fuel consumption, saving you a lot of money over the course of a year.

Safety

While driver error is the #1 cause of car accidents in Australia, poorly maintained vehicles also contribute to the number of injuries on our roads every year. The main issues tend to be tyres, steering and brakes.

It’s not just tyre tread that’s a problem; under and even over inflated tyres will affect a vehicle’s stability, road-holding and braking. If your wheels are not properly balanced, this can also be very dangerous.

A vehicle’s braking system can quite literally mean the difference between life and death. Scheduled fleet servicing means those brakes are being regularly checked and maintained, thus reducing the risk of your employee having an accident. The same applies to steering.

You may be surprised to read this but the transport, postal and warehousing industry is responsible for more worker fatalities than any other industry, including mining. In 2017, the transport industry reported over 60 deaths.

Looking Professional

There’s one other important factor that’s often overlooked, and that’s how your fleet looks. Your work vehicles are every bit as important as your logo and marketing when it comes to your brand. In fact, your fleet is really a 24/7 advertisement.

When your vehicles are out and about they are giving potential customers an impression of your organisation. If your fleet is badly cared for, that’s a very negative statement on the road. What does it say about your company? It says that you don’t care, and if you don’t care about your vehicles, you don’t care about your customers. (At least, that’s the perception.)

Your vehicles and drivers need to be immaculate, reliable and send the right message to the community if you are to succeed in business.

Staff Morale

Believe it or not, the state of your fleet affects staff morale. If your employee is given a dirty, neglected and potentially dangerous vehicle to drive, it suggests that he is unimportant to your company. He or she believes you are not concerned about their safety.

If your employees are out on the road a lot, they can expect a comfortable well-maintained vehicle. Quite simply, it is a tool that you provide to enable them to do their job well. A happy employee is a productive employee.

Studies have shown that an employee who feels appreciated and cared for will be 12% more productive. Unhappy workers on the other hand, are 10% less productive. Just think what that can mean for your organisation’s bottom line.

The Future

With far too many accidents and deaths on Australian roads fleet management is under the spotlight. Poorly maintained vehicles and drivers who have exceeded their hours will incur big fines and prosecution in the future. It’s just not worth the risk to your organisation’s reputation so the time to take action is now.

By arranging regular fleet car servicing on the Sunshine Coast now, it’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Elder Care That Actually Cares

A Frightening Problem

As of late, it seems that there have been more and more cases of elder abuse at certain homes for seniors. Considering that these seniors often require additional care that their family members are unable to provide, the abuse is even more startling and wretched. Because of this taint that has spread surrounding elder care homes, you may be unsure of placing your loved one in one of these facilities. However, there are still senior homes out there who actually provide excellent service for their residents. From offering a home health aide to actually providing a room and medical care for your loved one, you should consider the services of Arcadia.

image:www.arcadiahomecare.com/Blog

Care At Home

One of the best services that Arcadia has to offer is their At-Home Non-Medical Care. Sometimes, you and your family are too busy or live too far from a loved one to be able to assist them in the way that they need. That's where Arcadia comes in to help. They can look after your loved one and make sure that they have the help and company that they need. Too often, seniors don't actually want to leave their homes. In many cases, there isn't really much of a reason to so long as they have occasional help here and there. Arcadia can provide a trained, sympathetic, and compassionate member to be that companion and caregiver your loved one needs.

In cases of illness, the familiarity of home can help a senior to heal faster and more effectively. Being outside of the home can be a jolting experience for their immune system. As such, it's often better to have them stay in their homes and live independent lives for as long as they can. Arcadia team members can wash your loved one, help them get around the area, ensure their house is clean, prepare and serve their meals, provide companionship, and make sure that they're receiving adequate amounts of exercise. Rest assured with Arcadia.

Why You Should Buy These 3 Essential Oils For Your Home and Family

There is an essential oil to treat just about any ailment or unfortunate condition you may find yourself in! Whether you are trying to sleep better or just looking for a quick mood booster, they always manage to come in handy.

image:pixabay.com/en/essential-oils-oil-fragrance-bottle-2918183

Although I keep a full stock at all times, there a few essential oils that my family uses more often than others. Ditch your first-aid kit and toxic cleaning supplies and grab these 3 charms!

1. Lemon Oil

Lemon oil is easily one of my favorites! I start most mornings off with a cup of lemon water, but if I am in a rush, it's lemon oil to the rescue! Try swapping your morning joe for a cup of water with a few drops of this oil for an incredible energy boost, while also strengthening your immune system.

Lemon oil carries a very fresh, stimulating scent; it is very calming in nature and we can all use a little more zen. Adding a few drops to your bath water can calm your mental fatigue and anxiety by giving your mind an overall recharge! This will keep your family revived during stressful exams and busy days at the office.

This one is for the primary home cleaner. Though you may find many effective cleaning products on the shelves, most of them contain harmful ingredients and should not be inhaled long term. It's probably time that you start making your own cleaning agents. Lemon oil is a natural disinfectant as well as an antibacterial and antifungal. Just add about 12 to 15 drops to a spray bottle of equal parts vinegar and water, shake well and you have found yourself a practical, all-purpose cleaner!

2. Lavender Oil

I doubt there will ever be a time that I will run out of lavender oil! Diffusing this herb will keep your family feeling stress free as it is commonly used as an antidepressant and pain reliever. It has been studied extensively for its ability to relieve stress and physical pain, with impressive results for both conditions.

It is also an excellent mild sedative that can be incredibly helpful when dealing with insomnia. Quick story: I gave my sister a bottle a few years ago for her son's first birthday, and I gave her lavender for a very specific reason. She was going through a difficult time because he not only only hated naps, but he also happened to be a night owl! I told her to diffuse some in his room the next time he didn’t want to go to sleep but she didn’t listen to me right away.

A weeks passed and one night she called me asking for advice to get him to sleep and I reminded her to use the oil (and diffuser) I gave to her. I told her to do it right away and I stayed on the phone and within 10-15 minutes, he was fast asleep! Even better, he slept through the whole night!

3. Peppermint Oil

If you have a headache, suck on a peppermint - or better yet, just grab some peppermint oil. Peppermint essential oil is a powerful headache reliever and pain reducer. Massaging it directly to your muscles and joints will keep the chiropractor away.

My husband suffers from "chronic stuffy nose syndrome". Yes I totally made that name up. But, if this sounds like a familiar condition, try inhaling a some peppermint oil to unclog your sinuses the quick, natural way. It never lets me down.

Final Word

Essential oils are incredible household hacks that can be used to tackle a bunch of problems and issues the average household faces. Whether it’s a stuffy nose, a stressful day or insomnia, there’s an essential oil that could come in handy and lemon, peppermint and lavender are the best ones to start with.