Briana Candeub Promoted To Park Avenue VP of Operations

TREVOSE, Pa. — After proving herself for four years at her father Alan Candeub’s company, eldest daughter Briana Candeub has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Operations at Park Avenue Limousine.

Her duties will include overseeing every aspect of day-to-day operations while ensuring dispatchers, reservationists, and chauffeurs are working together to provide the best service possible to clients.

“It means a lot to me. When I first came on board, my dad told me I wouldn’t have a title until I had earned it. Now that I have, I’m proud he feels I’ve made my mark and that I’m ready to help take the company to the next level,” she says.

Her long term goal is to assist in expanding the company from 50 to 60 vehicles to 80 to 100 vehicles, and she’d like to eventually run the business after her father retires.

“While I’m proud to be the owner’s daughter, I want people to know me for who I am as an individual. I haven’t been handed this title because of nepotism; I’ve worked hard and I’m extremely dedicated. If I have to be at the office by 9, I’ll be sure to be there at 8:50,” she jokes.

Briana also works alongside her siblings Chelsea, who works in the accounting department, and Chase, who in college, but works from school and in the summers and runs the fleet department.

Related: Sister Duo Absorbs What Industry Offers

Keywords

executive changes   LCTFast40   Millennials   Pennsylvania operators   

 

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Groovy Mini Bus Perfect For Retail Work

RALEIGH, N.C. — This used 2012 Ford F-550 mini bus limo built by LGE Coachworks is equipped with everything clients will need to have one hell of a good time. A wet bar, fiber optic lighting, premium sound, touch screen entertainment, dance pole, iPod aux integration, disco ceiling, wrap around leather seating, mood lighting, window shades, and TV/DVD player make this a club on wheels.

SPECS, PHOTOS & SELLER INFO HERE

The mini bus seats up to 29 clients and can be purchased on limoforsale.com for $65,000 at 84,000 miles. The seller says this is a “beautiful limo bus in excellent condition. The mileage is mostly highway, as we take it on many trips to casinos on the East Coast.”

Keywords

Ford   Ford F-550   LGE Coachworks   limo buses   Limoforsale.com   mini-buses   online vehicle sales   used vehicles   vehicle sales   

 

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Texas Operator Knows How To Stay Engaged To His Service

Who: Rachid Ben, owner of Aviation Limousine & Transportation, Houston

Customer service: Being flexible and prepared to do anything a customer or affiliate needs to keep them happy and comfortable is the best way to provide outstanding service, Ben says. “When dealing with affiliates, their rules are my rules. If they want their own chauffeurs to be onsite 20-30 minutes before a pickup, I make sure that’s how we do it, too.”

Biggest success: Ben credits his success to his wife, Fatima. “When I bought my second car, I didn’t have enough time to do everything and couldn’t run the business by myself. Without her, there’s no way I’d be where I am. I’m also so thankful for the staff I have. They are really flexible and more like family than employees.”

Start-up costs and methods: To drum up business, Ben went to all the hotels in the area and spoke to whoever was available about his services. He’d also put his business card on cars in the parking lot. These tactics worked, but not exactly as he expected. Ben then did research online and asked some friends about better ways to market. He soon discovered limo tradeshows and attended his first in Atlantic City. “I didn’t know anyone or have any business cards, but I met Tom Mazza, bought his book, and watched his videos,” he says.

Fast Facts

Location: Houston, Texas

Owner: Rachid Ben

Founded: 2008

Vehicle Type: sedans, SUVs, vans

Fleet Size: 12

Employees: 10

Revenues: N/A

Website: http://ift.tt/2kgVQah

Phone: (713) 378-5466

Marketing strategies: When the company started in 2008, Facebook wasn’t as good an option for advertising as it is today. Instead, he knocked on all possible doors, bought ads in Visit Houston magazine, and put 10% off ads on the back of grocery store receipts. This worked well for a while, but when social media started booming he advertised on websites.

Advice: Ben’s words of wisdom to other operators are to be honest and educate yourself. “If you don’t learn, your business will suffer for it. You can survive a few years, but not long after that,” he says. He used to write his trips in a notebook, and left it in his car once. The vehicle was stolen, and with it, his reservations for the next month. Before he went to shows, he didn’t know about the different available software that would ease his life as a business owner. “Do things the right way. People are looking for receipts, quotes, etc. and you have to be able to produce them fast. Invest in software, good insurance, and clean cars; go to every show you can, and make friends in the industry.”

Origins: Ben worked as a hotel doorman and was then employed by a limo company. There, he learned a lot about the industry. He started his own operation in March 2008 when he bought his first vehicle, a 2008 Lincoln Town Car. “I’ll never forget that day,” he says.

Future plans: Getting deeper into the Sprinter and bus markets are Ben’s next steps.

Lessons learned: Be flexible. “I don’t believe in the words ‘I can’t do it,’” Ben says. “Love what you do so you can do what you love; if you don’t love this business, you’re not going to go far.”

Free time: Ben loves being with his family. He also enjoys playing soccer two times a week to relieve stress. “It gives you energy to work more,” he says.

Keywords

customer service   Houston operators   operator profiles   Texas operators   

 

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When The Going Gets Tough, Get Tougher

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — This is not an easy industry to work in. Situations are constantly changing and you have to be prepared for anything that might go wrong. And chauffeured transportation runs 24/7/365, of course.

There are times you may want to give up, but the story of LCT-NLA East Show kick-off speaker and professional surfer Dean Randazzo will help you see why admitting defeat amid adversity shouldn’t be an option.

A New Jersey native, Randazzo has spent his whole life among the waves. According to his website, he represented Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, N.J., at a National Scholastic Surfing Association competition in California as an amateur surfer in 1989. He turned pro the following year after he earned the attention of the Association of Surfing Professionals during his performance at the 1990 Cold Water Classic.

Don’t Forget To Nominate An Operator!

LCT is accepting nominations for the People’s Choice Awards until Oct. 10…don’t wait! Click here for the form.

Ascending international rankings, he qualified for the ASP World Championship Tour in 1996, becoming the first New Jersey competitor to do so.

In 2001, Randazzo was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of cancer. Despite his worries of losing sponsorships, he announced this condition at a surf competition and worked toward making a difference in the lives of those going through the same hardship. The Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation (DRCF) was established that same year to raise money for cancer research and bring cancer awareness to the surfing community. He has since gone on to continue to compete and win multiple competitions.

At LCT East, Randazzo will talk about his humble beginnings, the struggles of making the world tour, and the ups and downs of life. “I want to teach people how they can adapt that mindset to their businesses, as well as testify to the power of perseverance and confidence,” he says. “I just want to share my story; it’s my mission to get it out there and have it help others going through similar troubled times. Any group interested in stories like mine is a crowd I want to speak to.”

Information about Randazzo and his foundation: www.thedrcf.com.

Mission Statement Of The DRCF

The Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation was created in 2001 with the mission to promote cancer awareness within the surfing community and provide financial support to people stricken with cancer as well as their families.

Employee Training Session Sneak Peak: Reservations / Customer Service

When: Sunday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Speakers: Briana Candeub, Park Avenue Limousine of Trevose, Penn.; and Jami Crouch, Premier Transportation of Dallas

This session will include an overview of customer service starting from the hiring process. “You have to understand when you are hiring for a customer service representative, you are hiring for a personality and not necessarily a specific background. You can teach most individuals what we do, but you can’t teach personality,” Jami Crouch says. She and co-speaker Briana Candeub will discuss different ways to control calls by using time productively to manage overwhelming demand. This includes how to understand the client’s needs, asking the right questions, and what the right questions are to provide the best experience possible.

“There’s a way to take inbound calls and guide them the direction you want them to go without being rude or inappropriate, but also minimizing your time knowing the next phone call could be coming in,” Crouch says. “We’ll also include some pointers for quality control when checking and rechecking reservations, keeping people accountable, and properly confirming with emails and calls.”

Related: Many Good Reasons To Register Now For LCT East

Related: LCT East Brochure

Keywords

Atlantic city   casinos   customer service   Harrah’s   keynote speakers   LCT-NLA Show East   new jersey   reservations   staff training   

 

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No 9 To 5: Why This Operator Pursued His Passion

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The life of an average professional can be pretty boring if all they do is clock in, clock out, go home, and then repeat that pattern for the rest of their lives. Entrepreneurs have a natural inclination to beat falling into that rut.

Ronnie Singh, owner of Eagle Eye Limousine in Santa Clara, knew after 10 years of working as a manager at Bank of America that he was meant for something more. He followed the advice of fellow operator (and cousin) Harry Dhillon, owner of Ecko Transportation in San Jose, and jumped into the world of chauffeured transportation.

Encouragement Is Everything

In an ideal world, everyone would be their own boss and work for themselves. But in reality, it takes a lot of guts to break free of the normal nine to five routine. Singh says without the encouragement of his family and friends, he wouldn’t be as successful as he is today. He started Eagle Eye with one Suburban, and has since grown to a fleet of 10 in just two years.

Dhillon, a 2015 and 2017 LCT Operator of the Year Award winner, provided him with plenty of good advice and help whenever he needed it, and Singh credits his wife as the backbone of his success. “She is always helping out when days are stressful, and she became my constant source of strength. The love and support I’ve received from those I’m closest to is the only reason I’ve made it this far,” he says.

Can-Do Attitude

Although he didn’t first see himself pursuing a career in the chauffeured transportation business, the response he got from others in the industry at trade shows encouraged him, and he says he sees himself remaining in the industry for at least as long as he was at his last job.

His passion certainly shows when providing the best possible service in the area he operates and beyond. A diverse fleet of vehicles helps him in his mission to “never say no” to a client. These include the Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac XTS and Escalade, Mercedes-Benz S-550, BMW 750Li, Lincoln Continental, a stretch limousine, and a Grech Motors minibus and Sprinter van.

“If the demand rises and you don’t have the specific vehicle that person is requesting, I would rather have something in house to cover the job than always rely on affiliates. You know your company is going to do 100% satisfactory work, so it gives you more peace of mind,” he says.

Eagle Eye does corporate and retail work because together they can produce more clients through word of mouth. “The corporate side of the business brings in new customers because they start telling other companies about yours. When it comes to retail, we focus on how we can get more leads out of them by learning what company they work for. The intention is to convert them into corporate clients.”

Growing By Learning

Singh has learned several lessons while expanding his business. A few are never make any assumptions and be on top of your team. “It can be stressful, but as long as you do everything right and have backup procedures in place you’ll be fine,” he says.

It’s also important to be consistent. “From day one, set and deliver your standard. If you say you provide a certain kind of service, back it up,” he says. “It’s not about doing it once or twice; you have to do it every time.”

You have to smile a lot if you hope to succeed in the customer service business. “Everyone has good and bad days, but it shouldn’t reflect on your company. Keep your cars clean, give it your all, and the business will come.”

Singh hopes to keep growing his business, build relationship with large, well-known affiliates, and delve into coaches and minicoaches. “I want to make sure people know my name and company because of the kind of service we provide. We want our reputation to remain trustworthy, and never let that standard slip.”

Keywords

affiliate networks   California operators   customer service   entrepreneurship   industry education   WebXclusive   

 

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GMC Yukon XL Ready To Capture CEO Hearts

IRVINE, Calif. — This new 2015 GMC Yukon XL SUV limo is a custom CEO-VIP transporter converted by Lexani Motorcars, complete with custom wheels and an exclusive grill. Now available on limoforsale.com at $77,000 and only 207 miles, this is your chance to own a complete luxury SUV ready to pull up your bottom line.

SPECS, PHOTOS & SELLER INFO HERE

Features include wireless Internet connectivity, live streaming capabilities, dual 17- inch flat screens, electric divider partition, woodgrain accents, suede headliner, premium sound, touch screen entertainment, A/C power outlets, TV/DVD player, and iPod aux integration.

The seller says “don’t pay $80,000 for a new Cadillac Escalade when this conversion offers SO much more for much less. I have TWO units ready NOW for immediate delivery with two separate seating configurations.”

For additional info, call Andy Torres at (949) 212-3997.

Keywords

GMC   GMC Yukon   Limoforsale.com   online vehicle sales   SUV   SUV limousines   vehicle conversions   vehicle sales   VIP service   

 

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Uber Of Private Aviation Has Tips For Tech Survival

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — You’ve heard it time and again: The chauffeured transportation industry has to adapt if it wants to survive. While this point has been well established, it may help to see what insight brilliant minds from other industries have to share on keeping up with the mobile on-demand craze.

Ronn Torossian is the CEO and founder of 5WPR, one of the 15 largest independent public relations firms serving Fortune 500 and start-up companies, as well as the CMO and advisory board member for JetSmarter, the fastest growing private jet company in the world valued at more than $1 billion.

Often called the “Uber of private aviation” by the media, JetSmarter has taken the concept of “make it easy” to a new level.

Before JetSmarter, the private aviation industry was antiquated. “Instead of having to deal with fax machines and phones to book a plane, we enable consumers to share a private aircraft with others at the touch of a button,” Torossian says.

 “Even the wealthiest of the wealthy might not want to fly around the world by themselves; they don’t mind having someone else on the plane if they can defer part of the cost.”

Don’t Forget To Nominate An Operator!

LCT is accepting nominations for the People’s Choice Awards until Oct. 10…don’t wait! Click here for the form.

Torossian points out the industries of private aviation and chauffeured car serve similar clientele, and everyone has the same desire: Simplicity. “We enable people to spend much more than they do with private air travel without even speaking to another person. We’ve completely changed our industry, and I think the private transportation industry is ripe for someone to step up and do things that will enable a higher end consumer to continue to need the service. However, the way it’s being done now is simply not user friendly.”

There’s no doubt major adjustments are needed. Service businesses should be adopting more technology to run faster. “Chauffeured transportation needs to be viewed by people as something that can compete in an era where there are no barriers or obstacles when people want something,” he says. Uber, Amazon Prime, and Netflix are just a few examples.

“If the chauffeured transportation industry doesn’t want to go the way of Kodak, they are going to have to do things differently,” Torossian says. “In a world where Uber is dominating, your industry has to deal with reality and understand you have to change if you want to survive.”

Conferences like LCT-NLA Show East offer the chance to get out of your comfort zone and think in ways you wouldn’t have before, Torossian says. “They enable you to hear viewpoints you wouldn’t hear elsewhere, so I hope there will be a lot of people coming to listen and understand that while they might feel attacked, the reality is the consumer today has decided it’s about Uber-ing it home. Like it or not, that’s the reality. While I understand you’re fighting a billion dollar monster, you still have to deal with the fact this technology isn’t going anywhere.”

Related: Many Good Reasons To Register Now For LCT East

Related: LCT East Brochure

Register for LCT East and hear Ronn Torossian’s amazing keynote interview “Don’t Be Ordinary: Be Outstanding,” sponsored by Grech Motors, Monday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Keywords

Atlantic city   casinos   Grech Motors   Harrah’s   keynote speakers   LCT-NLA Show East   limo tradeshows   new jersey   tradeshows   

 

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Tech Isn’t The Only Key To Growth

BOSTON, Mass. — With as much talk as there is when it comes to the importance of keeping your company up-to-date on the latest technology, it’s vital to remember the reason clients still use chauffeured transportation instead of TNCs: Impeccable customer service. Terry Murtaugh, co-founder of United Private Car, is adamant his company’s admirable growth is the product of just that.

Earning Accolades

2017 marks the company’s third consecutive year on the Inc. 5000 list. Murtaugh insists the honor is the result of his stellar team, as well as a testament to the service they provide their clients. “We do not invest a great deal of money on marketing or advertising—our growth is a result of our co-founder Jason Dornhoffer’s sales efforts as well as referrals. We also have to give credit to our partners in the industry that we represent in our market. Because of them, our farm-in business increased 7% in 2016,” he says.

Murtaugh started United Private Car in 2006 along with his best friend Dornhoffer. Like many other operators, they started with one car, but grew steadily. With Murtaugh’s experience in the industry and Dornhoffer’s sales background, they were able to focus more heavily on providing great service than implementing tech to run things for them. “That’s not to say technology isn’t important; we still rely on it heavily. It’s great and helps you operate more efficiently, but some companies rely on it to a fault. At the end of the day, clients prefer a focus on service,” says Murtaugh.

Putting In The Work, Taking In The Experience

Murtaugh hadn’t always wanted to be in the chauffeured transportation industry, but rather stumbled into it by accident. He bumped into a friend one New Year’s Eve who was driving a big, black stretch limo and wearing a suit. “I thought he looked great and like he was really enjoying the job,” Murtaugh recounts. He applied at the same company and was hired as a chauffeur in 1995.

After staying with that company for 10 years, he experienced being a dispatcher and general manager as well. “It was a great industry education, and after I became a part of it I knew it was where I belonged,” he says.

United Private Car now runs 20 vehicles, including the Lincoln MKT and Continental, Chevrolet Suburban, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and the Ford E-350 passenger van because they still get a request for one every once in a while and are very hard to find.

Continuing Education

Although they are always working toward success, Murtaugh says the company’s biggest achievement so far is continuing to grow the company year over year since they first started, creating many jobs, providing an incredibly high level of customer service to clients and affiliates, and having fun doing it all.

Over the years, they’ve learned plenty of valuable lessons. “Some call them mistakes, we call them lessons. We do our research and make educated decisions based on facts and surround ourselves with smart people who share our passion for the industry,” Murtaugh says.

The company started working with Strategy Leaders, a consulting firm, several months ago, and it has since helped them learn more about their numbers to make better decisions when it comes to purchasing, spending, and budgeting. “As we were growing, we tended to jump right on the latest tech and vehicle trends without waiting to see if those were the smartest decisions for us to make at that time,” Murtaugh explains.

In the future, Murtaugh hopes the company will continue to grow at a steady pace without losing the touch of personalized service. They are also looking into other revenue streams, and plan on purchasing larger vehicles like minibuses and motorcoaches. “We book a lot of that kind of work now and are finding the demand is really there, so it’s time to start adding those vehicles to our fleet,” he says.

Keywords

affiliate networks   Boston operators   customer service   honors and awards   Massachusetts operators   operator profiles   technology   WebXclusive   

 

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Grech Bus From A Good Home Seeks New Owner

  PHOENIX, Ariz. — Billy Jinks, owner of JET Limousines, is selling a used 2015 Grech Freightliner M2 mini bus shuttle for $102,250 at 113,186 miles on limoforsale.com.

He says the “gorgeous, near mint condition high-end luxury mini coach” is only being sold because he bought a new 2018 model to replace it. Most of the miles are highway/tour, and the coach was assigned to a specific driver who kept like it was his own.

SPECS, PHOTOS & SELLER INFO HERE

The vehicle has chrome Alcoa wheels, all chrome lug nets, new tires, a custom painted front bumper, newer Grech lighting (the bus was built after the 2015 facelift), dual 50 gallon fuel tanks, electric entry and luggage step, front tour window, upgrade Pro Air A/C, matching front seats, custom leather seating, wood floor, 110/USB outlets at every seat, overhead newer style luggage racks, LED lighting, reading lights, seat belts, high idle, and more.

Information: (480) 296-9588; wj@jetlimoaz.com.

Keywords

Arizona operators   Freightliner   Grech Motors   Limoforsale.com   mini-buses   online vehicle sales   shuttle buses   used vehicles   vehicle sales   

 

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Team Effort: Family Approach Helps Company Keep Workers

WRIGHTSTOWN, Pa. — It’s tough out there for an entrepreneur. Many see the business they’ve created as their child, and this, in turn, makes it difficult for them to pass responsibilities on to someone else. Having grown up working for his father’s company, Johnny Donohoe, president of Sterling Limousine & Transportation Services, has since learned that trustworthy staff members are what make or break a business.

College Student No More

Donohoe knew nothing about the industry until his father started Sterling 15 years ago. Johnny was 20 at the time, and acted with the naiveté of a young college student. His father had him start at the ground level washing cars, prepping vehicles, and picking up parts, and he has learned much since then.

“It’s been such an eye opener just managing the people aspect of things, but I’m proud of the family atmosphere we’ve built,” he says. “You have to treat people with respect if you want to gain theirs. In the beginning, I probably handled a few situations incorrectly, but I’ve since learned from the errors I’ve made in the past.”

This attitude towards his employees has resulted in many who have been with the company many years.

Sterling started with only three vehicles and has since grown to about 45, a testament to how Donohoe has used his experience from both sides of the desk to propel the company to success with the help of his team.

Success Isn’t Measured In Money

There are two things Donohoe considers to be big successes. The first was seeing his company pull together to work the Democratic National Convention (DNC) last year.

“We had a record setting week where we did more than we do in most months, sometimes even two,” he says. However, he’s most proud of his team. “I started out wanting to do everything myself and micromanage, but I’ve since come to realize it’s not necessary when you’ve employed good, dependable individuals. They are the reason we are as successful as we are.”

They’ve all taken the reason his father started the company to heart. After retiring from his previous job where he was constantly traveling in the back of a black car, Donohoe’s father experienced countless issues with on-time pickups and consistency. He started his own business to set a new standard for what clients expected from a chauffeured transportation provider. “We try to put more emphasis on the TLC aspect to make sure everything goes according to plan,” Donohoe says.

Sterling’s consists of Lincoln Continentals, BMW 7-Series, Cadillac Escalades, GMC Suburbans, Sprinters, a few stretch limos for retail work, limo buses, a stretch Hummer, and minibuses for corporate, group, and wedding shuttles.

Give Back, Move Forward

Donohoe and staff members have attended LCT-NLA Show East and the International LCT Show for many years, but have never sponsored…until now. They are a Title Sponsor of LCT East this year, and the sole sponsor of Premier Monday at the Borgata. They signed up as a sponsor because over the last five to seven years, they’ve grown their affiliate business to make up about 50% of their runs.

“What better time than now to put our name in front of those who haven’t heard of us?” Donohoe says. “Philadelphia is a large market and there are a lot of services using affiliates, but it’s always good to have a secondary or a backup if another company isn’t up to your standards. We also just want to give back to the industry.”

In addition to taking new approaches in advertising, Donohoe is getting ready to break ground on a new 35,000 square foot office, complete with a warehouse for vehicle storage and maintenance bays. It’s been in the works for a while, and the project will officially begin in about three to four weeks. “We have big aspirations and are fully committed to growing this business. We hope to be around for a long time to come.”

Keywords

company culture   customer service   employee management   Harrah’s   industry education   industry events   LCT-NLA Show East   Pennsylvania operators   staff management   

 

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Rolls-Royce: A Classic Vehicle For A Classy Wedding

CHALMETTE, La. — If there’s one vehicle considered luxurious, it’s the Rolls-Royce…and now’s your chance to buy one. This used 1962 Silver Cloud available on limoforsale.com for $59,000 at 19,222 miles could stand out as a flaghip for a limo fleet.

While it’s ideal for weddings, it can also provide a great ride for something as simple as a special date night for couples. On top of that, anyone who’s a part of limo Facebook groups will know that these vehicles are in high demand when it comes to affiliate work.

SPECS, PHOTOS & SELLER INFO HERE

The seller says “this is a classic vehicle totally restored with all original parts. All rust was removed when given a new paint job. This vehicle is a must see unit ready to sell. No sprucing up is needed, as the interior has restored wood grain recently refinished and all service work has been completed. The original hubcaps are available, but not shown on the vehicle. Pictures of before and after vehicle restoration work are also available upon request.”

Keywords

Limoforsale.com   online vehicle sales   premium luxury sedans   retail markets   Rolls-Royce   sedans   used vehicles   vehicle sales   weddings   Weddings & Formals   

 

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Midwest Operator Deals With A Double Flood

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Diane Forgy, owner of Overland Chauffeured Services, learned firsthand recently how destructive floods can be, so she has some insight on what chauffeured transportation companies and businesses must be going through in Houston.

On July 27, the entire first floor of her office was underwater, but that was just the beginning. After spending much time looking into repairing infrastructure and replacing equipment, another flood hit her fleet operation in Leawood, Kansas, near Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 21.

“I knew the office was in a flood zone since we are right behind a creek, but it’s usually pretty manageable,” Forgy said. “I was not expecting a flood of this magnitude, so this is uncharted territory for me and other property owners in the same area.”

Although there wasn’t a plan in place for a flood, one of the reasons she bought the building was for its abundant office space. The second story came in handy because the company only used the bottom floor. “In prior rains, we watched the creek rise; we just never thought it would get into the cars much less the building.”

All electrical outlets were under water, and her overnight and morning dispatchers (who had to get creative getting to work since all the major roads were closed) started by grabbing anything electronic they could get their hands on and headed to the second floor. They started the day operating on paper for an hour or two, while employees parked on a nearby residential street and walked down a hill to get to the office to help out.

“Luckily it’s not a very busy part of the year for us and not a single ride was missed,” Forgy said. She fortunately had flood insurance, as well as coverage on the contents of the building and vehicles, six of which were lost to the flood.

Disaster Prep Questions To Ask Yourself

• Where are your servers located (if you use them)?
• Do you have redundant internet connection in case your main one goes down?
• How fast can you mobilize with your phone system and software?
• Do you have a safe place to move your vehicles?
• Have you created and maintained an up-to-date asset list with purchase date and cost?
• Have you digitalized as many of your records as possible, and moved as many of your technology platforms to the cloud as you can?

Every restoration company was booked solid, but Forgy was eventually able to get ServePro to help out. So many businesses were affected that they ended up sending people in from out of state to help repair and rebuild. “Every piece of porous furniture was totaled, and it took about nine days to clean the entire place. Just as I started working on selecting a contractor, finding new furniture, and as business started to get busier, the second flood hit,” Forgy said.

  After all was said and done, her business sustained bout $400,000 dollars in damage. “Insurance covers a lot of it, but there are deductibles to consider,” Forgy said. “If I lose a sedan that’s valued at $20,000 and have to buy a new one for $40,000, I lose.” That includes extra overtime she has to pay some employees. The good news is not one client was affected.

“We’ve had a lot of people who have reached out and expressed concern and said how impressed they’ve been that we haven’t missed a beat,” Forgy said. “My team got us through the biggest catastrophic event we have ever been through, and I am eternally grateful for their spirit and hard work.”

While operators should prepare for a disaster of any kind, Forgy said one of the most important factors is knowing and understanding what kind of insurance coverage you have and may need.

“Even if you lease, don’t assume your property policy includes floods; you need to ask what kind of losses you are covered on. You always want to have a disaster plan as far as your office and technology goes.”

Can’t Bring A Good Team Down

Despite the hardship that has come along with dealing with the flood, Forgy is proud her team has won the Ingram’s Magazine Gold Award for the 11th year in a row. Ingram’s is a local business publication for high level CEOs. Every year they have a “Best of Kansas City” issue where readers submit their local “favorites”.

One year, before they even knew the award existed, they won bronze for best ground transportation service. “We started to promote it with our clients as we were growing, and won gold for the first time in 2006,” Forgy said. Last year, silver went to Uber, but it wasn’t in the top three this year. Instead, all three awards in the category went to limousine companies; Agenda: USA won Silver and Kansas City Transportation Group won Bronze.

Keywords

Diane Forgy   disasters   flooding   honors and awards   Missouri operators   WebXclusive   

 

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Facebook Groups Link For Success

Social media isn’t just for posting cute cat videos and spying on family members and friends. When used to the best of its potential, it can actually become a valuable tool to help you answer questions in real-time.

Who’s the best affiliate in so-and-so region? Do you charge your client extra if a flight got delayed? What do you do if you know about an operator who doesn’t pay affiliates on time?

Chauffeured transportation-specific Facebook groups are the solution to all of these queries and more. Within minutes of asking a question, you’ll receive replies from small, medium, and large operators, and sometimes even vendors. Looking for a group that focuses on a particular topic? The industry has you covered (see sidebar).

Here, three group administrators discuss the benefits of these groups, as well as what operators can do to take full advantage of them.

Why Join?

There are many reasons to join Facebook groups for the chauffeured transportation industry, says Pat Charla, owner of limousine marketing firm DriveProfit and admin of the Limo Marketing and Limousine Technology groups. By participating in one or many, it increases your visibility in the industry.

“There are operators out there who are very good in their local markets, but don’t have the prominence of some of the bigger players,” she says. “This enables them to speak up when someone is looking for an affiliate in an area they serve.”

These groups are also a great place to learn and question decisions you’re about to make on equipment, processes, and vendors. “You’re not just asking one person; you get many opinions to help you make a more informed decision,” Charla says.

Not only that, it helps operators keep up on what’s happening in the industry daily. “Things are going to change very quickly from this point on, and Facebook groups are an easy way to stay in the know.”

Perry Barin, West Coast affiliate manager for Music Express and admin of the popular LIMO group, says when operators post something to his group, they are reaching out to a curated collection of people. He gets about 10 to 15 member requests every day, and to be accepted they must answer a question about how they are related to the industry. “I want to protect our membership and insure they are receiving quality feedback to their questions,” he says.

“The good thing about these groups is even if you’re not the one asking the questions, you can read answers and absorb the information to help you handle issues in the future.”

The benefits operators receive depend on the types of groups they decide to join, says Bill Faeth, founder of Limo University and Inbound Marketing Agents and admin of the Limo Growth and Limo University groups. “They are all a little different, but the immediate advantage is being able to ask one question to thousands of operators. We didn’t have that ability just a few short years ago.

“I think that sense of community is something extremely beneficial. When I look at the number of people in these groups, it surprises me more don’t take advantage of them.”

Here’s what members of the Fast 40 Facebook group had to say about the benefits of being a part of one:

Jevonne Pollard: The benefit I have enjoyed is immediate feedback and the information that has been shared in real-time.

Dan Klob: Industry Facebook groups are a great way to ask quick informal questions to a large audience, and hear unfiltered advice, answers, and feedback.

Jami Crouch: In our line of work, time is money. By posting on Facebook, you are notified when someone answers your question and you’re able to keep trucking along.

Another One?!

Those already aware of and participating in these groups know about the growing number of them. The three admins believe it’s important to have a reason and purpose behind the group before creating one.

For example, Barin started his a few years ago at a tradeshow when the concept of specific groups for the chauffeured transportation industry didn’t exist. He created the group as a way to stay in touch with his new connections. It has since grown to be one of the most well-known groups in the industry.

Faeth believes in owning your experience, which can be difficult when so many groups might not meet your criteria. “I received some negative comments and messages about other Facebook groups, a lot of which were [about] continuous spamming. I started my own because I wanted to create one that provided value to those who were a part of it,” he says.

He gave administrative privileges to two other operators to help him keep the page free of posts that don’t benefit the group in any way. “We don’t allow self-promotion. Limo University [which he runs] just had a summer boot camp last week, and I didn’t post anything about it in the group. I wanted to give operators a place to get their questions answered.”

Because of cross pollination between groups, Charla wanted to create a pair with a specific focus on marketing and technology. “There are a lot of posts that go on in the various groups, so it’s tough to keep up with what you are most interested in,” she says.

Be A Part Of The Solution

For these groups to remain productive, operators must remember Facebook is not a playground. “If you want to vent political, do it on your personal page,” Charla says. “What you say on social media gets seen by thousands and reflects directly on your company, not just the person writing it.” While constructive criticism is certainly appropriate, and at times necessary, bashing other companies outright is unprofessional. “You always have to keep in mind your client may be watching.”

Barin advises operators to read group descriptions before posting. “In some of these groups, you get bombarded with a lot of information, and if it’s irrelevant or doesn’t appeal to a great deal of people, it’s annoying. I don’t want the traffic coming into our group to be pointless.”

Posting valuable content other operators can learn from or relate to is the best way for people to keep Facebook groups useful, Faeth says. “Think about how what you’re saying will represent your brand. Is something you ask going to benefit the group? Understand these are never really ‘private.’ Anyone can screenshot something and send it to someone not in the group,” he explains.

“I think some people might be apprehensive about posting questions because they think it will put a perception out there that if they don’t know an answer, it’ll [hurt] them. If that’s the case, I’d advise them to private message the owner/moderator of that group and ask them if they can post their question anonymously.”

Be Involved

If you notice operators you do business with don’t belong to one these groups, do them a favor and send them an invitation. Many people circulate in multiple groups, but fewer than 3,000 globally participate, Faeth says. “I would love to see more getting involved.”

Charla believes operators overall are a nice group of people who want to see each other succeed. “There are so many small business operators, who if they band together, share information, and make each other better, we’ll be better as an industry overall,” she says.

Barin wants members to be active and get involved with associations at the local and national levels. “Be aware of what’s happening and own it — not just online, but in person as well. There really is strength in numbers.”   

— Lexi@LCTmag.com

So Many Groups, So Little Time

Here’s a — by no means complete — list of industry related Facebook groups available to operators. Some may require you to have your job listed in the “Intro” section of your personal Facebook profile to join.

Note: The number of members was recorded July 27, 2017

• LIMO (1,659 members)
• Affiliate Manager Network (632 members)
• LCT Fast 40 (95 members)
• Deadbeat Affiliate Limo Companies (568 members)
• LIMO NETWORK (3,134 members)
• Limo Partners/Friends (310 members)
• Limo Marketing (2,348 members)
• Limo Growth (882 members)
• Limo University (must purchase the course to be accepted, 254 members)
• Limousine Technology Group (332 members)
• Lincoln Navigator Livery Owners & “Navi-Curious” (158 members)
• National Limousine Association Official Member Group (must be member of the NLA to be accepted, 270 members)
• Lincoln Continental Livery Owners & “Conti-Curious” (375 members)

Keywords

Bill Faeth   Facebook   industry education   Pat Charla   Perry Barin   Social Media   technology   

 

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