The Backup Plan April 2015

Latest

Posted On: November 11, 2020
Posted On: August 01, 2020
Posted On: June 25, 2020
Posted On: June 12, 2020
Posted On: June 04, 2020

Subscribe

Via Email:    

Archive



Blog Categories

Mind Your Manners

Posted On: April 24, 2015

Mind Your Manners



 

Growing up how often were you told to be polite or to mind your manners?   I have come to realize, later on in life, that these very common phrases carry with them a very different meaning depending on whom you ask.  Now, given, manners vary from culture to culture so we will today focus exclusively on the American culture.  There are certain universals that (I hope) are considered common knowledge but then there are some things that you would think are common knowledge or that are obvious and they are in actuality very far from it.

 

So some of the universals are called into play during conversation and have to do with language and communication.  “Please”, “Thank you”,  “Excuse me”, “Your welcome” these are things that should just be said at the appropriate time, thank people when they do something for you, tell them they are welcome when they thank you.  I would hope that most parents teach their children to say please and thank you.

 

Other universals have to do with body language and physical interactions.  When someone extends there hand in greeting it is expected that you shake it.  If someone is entering a doorway behind you, and they are close, you should hold the door for them.   When speaking to someone you should make eye contact but you should not stare.  In all interactions it is polite to respect the other individuals personal space.  For most to do otherwise would be considered rude.

 

Now we get into the grey areas.  When I was young we all ate at the diner table, I was not allowed to leave the table until I finished what was in front of me and I had to ask “May I be excused”.  Today your lucky if everyone even sits down together at the same time.  We were grateful to get presents for your birthday and for the holidays but now kids tear thru piles of gifts asking what’s next.  Years ago you did not speak when an adult was speaking, you did not monopolize the television with an endless stream of cartoons, you had respect, you had manners.  Today it seems there is no please and thank you anymore its “That’s mine” “I want” and “Now”.

 

As a child some of this behavior could be overlooked or considered acceptable but the problem is when this entitled and rude attitude translates into adulthood.  You end up with a generation of lazy, obnoxious, pretentious individuals who are selfish and spoiled and lack intelligence, experience, work ethic and respect.  This hurts themselves, the people around them and the world in general.

 

Respect, manners and discipline are what help the world run smoothly.  When you are considerate of others and you follow the rules you contribute to society and you have a good chance of being happy as well as achieving success.  Manners are the grease on the wheels; there is no reason to be rude.  When you are rude it indicates to others that you lack class or discipline.  So, mind you manners.

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2014 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

0

Being Positive On Your Wedding Day

Posted On: April 23, 2015

Being Positive On Your Wedding Day 


Your wedding day is going to be one of the best days of your life, and it is also going to be one of the most stressful days of your life.  Anyone who tells you any different has either never been married before or has forgotten what it is really like.  The stress factor is multiplied in areas like New York or California where weddings are opulent and extravagate affairs.   The best way to handle stress on your wedding is to maintain a positive and optimistic attitude.

 

The reality is that something somewhere alone the lines will not go one hundred percent according to plan.  The flowers will be a little wilted, the DJ is playing bad music or maybe there’s another wedding at your catering hall and they are taking away from your special day.  Despite all the planning and all the preparation these things happen and most of the time it is completely out of your control.  So the best thing to do is ignore it, you can’t change it, and agonizing or freaking out about it wont make it any better, so just accept it and move on. 

 

Plan properly and give your self enough time to do and get the things that you want, but on the day of just let it all happen.  Make sure you enjoy your day.  The time, the money and the stress that went into planning everything is for nothing if you end up in tears the day of. 

 

Ultimately no matter how much planning you do something will most likely go awry.   Stay positive and make sure to enjoy your wedding.  The only one that can ruin your day is you!

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2014 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

0

The Art Of Client Acquisition And Retention

Posted On: April 21, 2015

The Art of Client Acquisition and Retention

 


 

A successful business only becomes successful because of its customers.  The struggle for so many companies is first attaining these customers and then retaining them, people have written books on the subject, people have spent their lives researching the subject, I am going to summarize the best way to get and retain customers in a page.  Actually the page is going to embellish two simple sentences.  Have a good product, the tell people about it.  Overly simplified?  Arrogantly stated?  I have no wish to simplify a very complex problem nor do I want my words to be taken as over-confident or pompous.   I will explain.

 

The best way to get customers and to keep them is to have something that they want, something that is in some way better then the competition.  Tell the truth about this product or service, do not exaggerate or manipulate because with a good product you won’t need too and chances are people will see right through you.  Today people are much more informed then they were 20 years ago, the days of selling ice to Eskimos are over.  People have a need and they will find a way to satisfy that need. 

 

Most customers will research a product or service before they purchase it.  During this research your product needs to be somewhere where they can learn about it.  It does not necessarily need to be on the first page of Google (not that this doesn’t help) but there needs to be a way for people to find you.  You need to tell people about your product, if its good or better in some way just tell them the truth or show them.   Once you satisfy someone’s need and you show them they can trust you, you have just found a customer for life.  They will tell their friends and family and if they ever need your services again they will be happy to be able to skip all the research.  The method in which you tell people about the product will affect how fast the company grows, this is a problem many companies face but it is a subject for another blog.

 

So there it is in a nutshell, want to get customers and keep them?  Have a good product and tell people the truth about it.  It really is that simple, the days of trickery and manipulation are long gone, people are smarter these days and they will find you and the truth about you.  

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2014 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

0

Strength Of Mind Strength Of Body Strength Of Spirit; The Recipe For Success

Posted On: April 16, 2015

Strength Of Mind Strength Of Body Strength Of Spirit; The Recipe For Success

 


Above all else strength may be the number one requirement for success.  Not the type of strength that lets you bench press 250lbs (although that is part of it) but overall strength of character, and the ultimate quality of an individual.  How “good” or “valuable” a person may be depends on a great many things and is relevant to the organization the individual belongs too, and or the type of relationship we are analyzing.  To help us we will attempt to measure or discuss individuals in the work place.  The value of an employee or an employer can be measured by looking at three characteristics, all of them having to do with strength, these are strength of mind, strength of body and strength of spirit.

 

Some of us have powerful intellects, minds that allow us to store and retain vast amounts of information, quickly analyze and address problems and ultimately have a keen intuition into people and situations.  All of this is incredibly useful in business.  Being smart allows us to figure out how to do what we do best and also allows us to learn how to do other things that may make what we currently do better.  Being intelligent allows us to plan and anticipate steps and moves made by the industry giving us the ability to implement optimized business strategies. Knowledge is a great power when used correctly and responsibly.

 

Strength of body is important (however it is debatable how important it is when compared to the other two).  Being healthy and having abundant energy is vital for success.  After all if you don’t feel good you wont be able to perform at optimal levels.  Very few successful people work a simple eight-hour day come home and watch TV.  Success takes effort and fortitude, it takes the strength of will, character and body to get back up after a tough defeat.  Building yourself physically will help you on your road too success.

 

Strength of spirit or strength of character is last but not least on this list and it may be the most important of the three.  To have an iron will, to be morally good and right, and to be able to have insight into others comes from character.  To have conviction in your vision, to have the confidence in your self and your ideas will go a very long way.  Strength of body can make you a bully without strength of character, and strength of mind can lead you down dark roads without the proper spirit to temper it.

 

Ultimately the quality of an individual in the business world can be measured by analyzing three characteristics; strength of mind, strength of character and strength of body.  Strength of mind has to do with the ability to teach and learn and the ability tot plan and analyze, strength of body has to do with having an abundance of energy and a good fortitude, strength of spirit is indicative of one who has a strong moral compass and the confidence to follow a dream.  These qualities equate to success.

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2014 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

0

Wedding Limousines In New York

Posted On: April 15, 2015

Wedding Limousines in New York


 

There are very few places in the world that are like New York.  Here in the Big Apple and its surrounding suburbs we tend to do things a little differently.  One thing that we do a bit different are weddings.  Different may not be exactly the right word, to put it bluntly there is nowhere else in the world where weddings are so lavish, opulent and amazing.  A New York wedding is a wedding like no other.  Every aspect of a Big Apple wedding is typically extravagant and top shelf, the transportation being no different.

 

Often times the limousine service is booked towards the end of the wedding planning process.  This only makes sense, as there usually has to be several things already in place for you to know exactly what is needed for transportation.  Sometimes what happens is that by the time the bride and groom are ready for the limousines the budget is already stretched thin and they figure that they can save money by going cheap on the transportation.  Please believe me when I tell you that the limousines are not where you want to save money.

 

Not that you need to spend a fortune on your wedding day transportation, but the limousine industry is a great example of getting what you pay for.  There are ways to be cost conscious and still go with a reliable company and have nice looking vehicles for your wedding.

 

Without reliable transportation on your wedding day you aren’t going anywhere.  It is of the utmost importance that things run on time and are punctual, especially in an area with traffic like New York.  A bad limousine company can ruin your whole day and can end up costing you thousands in late fees and extensions.  In the end it makes more sense to pay a few hundred extra dollars and have the peace of mind.

 

Limousines for a New York Wedding should not be cheap; if they are then you are rolling the dice.  Don’t take a chance, there are ways to stay within budget and still have nice, classy transportation. Trying to save a few dollars on the limousines can end up costing you thousands.

 

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2014 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

0