Showing posts with label February 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label February 10. Show all posts

Friday, February 10, 2017

Yes, You Really Do Have The Time

<p>LCT image</p>Already into the second month of 2017, now would be a good time to examine whether you are properly managing your time. We are in a very demanding industry where we commonly get pulled in many directions.

Our priorities shift almost hourly. Many days go by where our “to do” items were not completed as fast as we hoped.

Many of you have taken a time management class, read about it in books, and may have tried to use an electronic or paper based day planner to organize, prioritize, and schedule your day. Why is it, then, with all of this knowledge and these gadgets you feel like you still can’t get everything done as planned?

The answer is simple: Everything you ever learned about managing time is a complete waste of time because it doesn’t work. You must first learn what time really is.

There are two distinctly different types of time — clock time and real time. In real time, all time is relative. Time flies by or drags on depending on what you’re doing. Two hours at the Department of Motor Vehicles can feel like 12 years and yet our 12-year-old children seem to grow up in only two hours.

Do you live in real time or clock time? The reason time management gadgets and systems don’t work is these systems are strictly designed to only manage clock time. You live in real time, a world in which all time flies when you are busy, having fun, or even sidetracked.

The good news is real time is mental. You create it. Anything you create you can manage. It’s time to remove any self-sabotage or self-limitation you have around “not having enough time,” or today not being “the right time” to start a business or manage your current business.

There are only three ways to spend time — thoughts, conversations, and actions. Regardless of the size of your company, your work will be composed of those three items.

As a business owner, manager, or supervisor, you may be frequently interrupted or pulled in different directions. While you cannot eliminate interruptions, you do get a say on how much time you will spend on them and how much time you will spend on thoughts, conversations, and actions that will lead you to success.

Practice the following techniques to master real time:

1. Carry a schedule and record all of your thoughts, conversations, and activities for a week. This will help you understand how much you can get done during the course of a day and where your time goes. You will see how much time you actually spend producing results and how much time is wasted on unproductive thoughts, conversations, and actions.

2. Any activity or conversation that’s important to your success should have a time assigned to it. “To do” lists get longer and longer to the point where they’re unworkable. Schedule appointments with yourself and create time blocks for high-priority thoughts, conversations, and actions. Schedule when they will begin and end. Have the discipline to keep these appointments.

3. Plan to spend at least 50% of your time engaged in the thoughts, activities, and conversations that produce most of your results.

4. Schedule time for interruptions. Plan time to be pulled away from what you’re doing.

5. Take the first 30 minutes of every day to plan your day. Don’t start your day until you complete your time plan.

6. Take five minutes before every call and task to decide what result you want to attain. This will help you know what success looks like before you start and it will also slow time down.

7. Put up a “do not disturb” sign when you absolutely have to get work done.

8. Practice not answering the phone just because it’s ringing and responding to e-mails just because they show up. Disconnect instant messaging. Don’t instantly give people your attention unless it’s absolutely crucial in your business. Instead, schedule a time to answer e-mails and return phone calls.

9. Block out other distractions like Facebook and other forms of social media unless you use these tools to generate business.

10. Remember it’s impossible to get everything done. Also remember studies show 20% of your thoughts, conversations, and activities produce 80% of your results.

Ron Sorci is the founder and CEO of Miami-based Professional Consulting Resources Inc. (www.pcrforyou.com). A former senior executive at public and private companies, Sorci most recently worked as CFO of Aventura Worldwide Transportation in Miami. He also served as President of the National Limousine Association from 2009-2010. He can be reached at Ron@pcrforyou.com or (786) 229-3662.

Keywords

Profit Driven   profits   revenue growth   revenues   Ron Sorci   

 

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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

London Uber Protest Halts Traffic

<p>Photo: Andy Rain, The Guardian</p>Taxi drivers brought central London to a complete stop to protest threats to their trade from Uber and changing regulation.

Organisers said about 8,000 drivers took part in the protest on Wednesday afternoon, as traditional black cabs blocked lanes the length of Whitehall and halted much traffic around Westminster and the West End.

Black-cab drivers have been incensed by the actions of Transport for London (TfL) in licensing Uber, blurring the lines between traditional taxis and private hire.

The Guardian article here

Keywords

British limousine companies   London operators   taxis   TNCs   Uber   United Kingdom   

 

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Driverless Cars Still Subject To Human Laws

It appears that self-driving vehicles will be treated no differently than if a human were driving. 

In a letter from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Paul A. Hemmersbaugh, chief counsel at the NHTSA, states, “We agree with Google its [self-driving vehicle] will not have a driver in the traditional sense that vehicles have had drivers during the last more than one hundred years…If no human occupant of the vehicle can actually drive the vehicle, it is more reasonable to identify the driver as whatever (as opposed to whoever) is doing the driving.”

Popular Science article here

Keywords

autonomous vehicles   driver safety   driverless cars   Google   law enforcement   National Highway Traffic Safety Administration   safety   self-driving vehicles   vehicle safety   

 

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Special Needs Child Left On Motorcoach

Nine-year-old Gage Dery, a child who is on the autism spectrum, was left behind on a charter bus after a field trip, WPTV reports.

The Derys say when they arrived at their son’s elementary school, no one knew where he was.

The principle says the bus began to leave before teachers and chaperones conducted a final check, and Dery was on it for less than five minutes.

WPTV West Palm Beach article here

Keywords

child safety   customer service   Florida operators   motorcoaches   passenger safety   safety   

 

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New York Livery Driver Busted In Sting Operation

<p>Photo: Paul Martinka, New York Post</p>A livery driver who joined a protest at City Hall on Feb. 5 over high fines thought he had a surefire way of ­detecting undercover taxi agents.

When he asked a passenger who he was picking up at JFK airport, “Are you undercover TLC?,” the passenger replied, “No, I’m not TLC.” As it turns out, he was TLC.

Unlike taxi cab drivers, livery drivers can’t pick up passengers who haven’t made prior arrangements.

New York Post article here

Keywords

black car market   criminal incidents   driver behavior   law enforcement   New York operators   New York state regulations   New York Taxi & Limousine Commission   NY TLC   regulatory enforcement   taxis   

 

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Party Buses Must Have Permit To Operate In Washington

Under new rules, party buses must have a permit to operate in Washington. Those without permits will face fines.

In addition, a chaperone other than the driver must ride along with underage passengers to ensure nobody is drinking.

The new rules follow a change in state law last year that clearly defines what a party bus is.

Boise State Public Radio article here

Keywords

bus regulations   difficult clients   limo buses   party buses   passenger safety   safety   state regulations   Washington operators   

 

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Limo Company Tells Bride Her Marriage Won’t Last

An email exchange between a bride-to-be and a limousine company got vicious after Heather Oliver told a Vancouver Prestige Limos employee she had already received a quote for hourly service from two other companies.

When the employee responded,  “Good for you. I hope your marriage lasts. Thank you,” Oliver took offense.

She wrote: “How dare you. You must be a pretty miserable person to be so cruel…I will never recommend this company to anyone I know, and I will find an opportunity to give you terrible reviews via any channel I have at my fingertips.”

The employee shot back with, “It’s become quite clear that your marriage probably won’t last, because I really can’t see how anybody can tolerate being married to you,” and, “I’ve known you for all of an hour and I’d sooner cover myself in paper cuts and take a lemon juice bath than have anything else to do with you.”

CTV News Vancouver article here

Keywords

Bridezilla   Canadian Operators   client feedback   customer service   difficult clients   Vancouver   weddings   

 

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Back to Basics with Referrals: Developing Your Online Portfolio

Referrals are one of the key forces that drive any successful business. In the limousine industry, there are no exceptions.

A referral can make or break a deal with a potential client. The idea of generating a referral portfolio tends to become overlooked when you’re busy trying to run your own business. There are so many things that need to be done on a daily basis that many business owners forget that businesses grow based on word of mouth and referrals from their clients.

Of course, advertising and marketing help spread the word about your business—but it’s one thing for people to see an ad for your company that states what a great service you have to offer them, and another thing entirely for them to hear it from someone who has actually used your services. People trust what other consumers and businesses have to say. If it’s nothing but great reviews, you will definitely see your business affected in a positive way.

However, your clients aren’t the only sources that can get people talking about your company. Building a reputable referral portfolio with businesses such as hotels, airports, wedding planners, and other customer service industries is just as important. These industries are usually able to reach more potential clients than the individual client who used your ground transportation services in the past. Hotels, airports, bridal expos and travel industries serve a large volume of people, and the right type of people who have a need for your services, making it easier for them to spread the word about your limousine company. But how do you build a relationship with these businesses? With a few simple yet consistent steps, you can build your company a referral network and watch your business grow substantially.

Having a great reputation is the most important step in gaining potential word-of-mouth clients. Great reputations are based on providing excellent customer service to anyone who gets into your vehicle, and to those who are potentially going to be in your vehicle. This might seem like a no-brainer, but customer service can make or break a limousine company. This is a customer service-based industry, after all. Since this aspect is an expected part of the business, it is easy for it to become overlooked at times.

Chauffeurs should arrive to all appointments on time, be extremely courteous, and also be genuine. They are there to make the client feel comfortable and confident that they have chosen the right company, and more importantly, make them want to use your service again or recommend it to others. Chauffeurs are the face of your company; an ongoing training program helps to ensure that all your clients’ needs are met.

Another potential way to provide excellent customer service is through phone and face-to-face inquiries. The people answering your customers’ questions should be professional, patient, and polite, as well as knowledgeable about your vehicles and the type of services you offer. Training on new vehicles and new services that may come with them practically guarantees excellence with your reservations staff. Potential clients will appreciate that they are receiving great service before they step foot into your vehicle, and this will encourage them to use your service over the competition. Having a great reputation with your clients will encourage businesses to refer your company. Don’t forget to use customer satisfaction surveys and/or ghost riders to help you keep your great reputation. Other customer service businesses want to be affiliated with companies that have great reviews, assuring that their own reputations don’t become tarnished.

Finding potential affiliates is an important process that requires a lot of effort. Don’t let this step discourage you. Building a business comes with the notion that hard work is to be expected. The task itself is simple: contacting companies and asking for their business. The hard work comes when you begin contacting many companies to expand your business to its full potential, but this experience can also lead to a wealth of knowledge.

For example, you may call a hotel and ask them if they’d be willing to use and/or recommend your business to their guests. Even though there are many businesses that will agree to refer you, there will be times when the company you’re speaking with will turn you down because they already use another service. Instead of becoming frustrated, use this as a learning experience. Ask questions, such as what they like about the other company, or if they are happy with the services being provided. You could learn a thing or two about what makes the other company appealing to the hotel, and use that information to improve your business.

There’s also the potential that your company offers a service that the other does not. In that case, the business might consider taking you on as another recommendation. Even if this process is a demanding one, never let your frustrations show through during the conversation. Be respectful to the business you’re speaking with and to those with whom they affiliate themselves. Thank them for their time and consideration, whether they turn you down or not. They will be more likely to recommend your services in the future if they remember how professional you were.

Besides contacting companies through the traditional long-distance communication practices, you might also want to consider meeting the faces of those companies in person. This can be done without setting up business meetings. Look in your areas of business and the areas you wish to branch into, to see if there are expos and conventions where there will be businesses that have the need for your services, or who deal with the types of customers who need limousines.

Exhibiting at bridal expos is a great way to spread the word about your company. If obtaining your own booth isn’t an option, go to the expo anyway, and be sure to bring your business cards along. Talk to venues, caterers, and even dress boutiques. All these businesses will be in close contact with the brides and grooms who will need to find a limo service for their big day, and could potentially refer your services to them.

This same technique can be used at travel conventions and other relevant expos. Even when there aren’t conventions and expos, or if there aren’t any in your area, you can still obtain one-on-one time with the businesses you want to reach. A great way to get them interested in your company is to allow them to experience your service firsthand. Offer them a free trial or invite them to visit your business. Chances are that once they see how professional and dependable you are, they’ll more than likely give you the referral traffic you’re trying to generate.

Last but not least, it’s important that you develop a sales pitch that is clear and also unique, so that it sets you apart from the competition. You’ll use this pitch through emails, phone conversations and face-to-face interactions. A good sales pitch is crucial when trying to expand your business. It should be professional but not mechanical. It needs to be genuine, and to express what your company is all about. Mention all of your services, any awards or professional reviews you’ve received, and why your business is the best option. Developing a sales pitch will not only be useful when reaching out to potential clients, but also when inquiries come to you. You’ll have a confident answer to their question without stumbling or having to develop one on the spot. Being fully prepared will boost your reputation as a reputable company.

Referrals are more significant for a business than many people may realize. Providing excellent customer service, and working to reach out to companies that have the potential to use and refer your services, will only help you in the long run. Don’t let the importance of referrals slip your mind while you’re working to run a successful business. All businesses have either expanded into great companies or failed due to word of mouth. In order for your company to be successful, you want to make sure people are talking, and that they only have positive things to say about your company. As long as you are professional, dependable and hardworking, you too can develop a referral portfolio that will expand your business to its full potential. //LD

Jennifer Lewallen

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Motorcoach Rolls Over, Dozens Injured

At least four people remain in critical condition after a charter bus rolled over Feb. 9 on I-95 north in Madison, Conn.

While various sources are providing different numbers, FOX 61 reports the crash injured nearly two dozen of the 55 people who were on the bus heading from Flushing in Queens, New York to Mohegan Sun Casino. Thirty were able to walk off, but the rest were transported to area hospitals.

Connecticut State Police trooper, Kelly Grant, says that while the accident is still under investigation, it likely occured due to snowy conditions.

FOX 61 article here

Keywords

accidents   casinos   Connecticut operators   driver behavior   motorcoaches   passenger safety   safety   snow storms   weather   

 

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The Good, The Bad, And The Super Bowl Uber Complaints

After paying a reported sum of up to $500,000 to be the Super Bowl’s first official ride-hailing partner, it can be said the price was most likely worth it. Uber states that they had “thousands” more drop offs and pick ups than expected. This doesn’t mean that everthing went flawlessly, however.

A number of people complained on social media that Uber’s process for transporting users was disorganized and slow, with unexplained delays and wait times of up to an hour. The company claims police caused the main hold up of about 30 minutes by shutting down certain roads surrounding Levi’s Stadium to allow the team buses to depart. This kept drivers from entering the parking lot to accept riders. Average ETAs on cars during that period reached a high of 11 minutes, according to Uber.

The troubles didn’t stop at the stadium. The Washington Post reports that an Uber driver was arrested in Southern California on suspicion of on-duty drunken driving following the Super Bowl. He told an officer that he had watched the game at a bar and was “trying to make some extra cash.”

Forbes article here

Keywords

drunk driving   safety   special events   Super Bowl   TNCs   Uber   

 

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