The Backup Plan Business

How to Motivate your Employees

Some people are just naturally hardworking, they come in early they stay late and they go above and beyond what’s expected of them.  Others are just the opposite, they will come in exactly on time or late, they leave early and make any excuse to do as little as possible.  Unfortunately the later is more the norm then the former.  Most people go to work for a paycheck, they see only as far as the end of the week.  These people lack the foresight to see the big picture, for example if I work hard and do right by the company then this gives me job security by ensuring the company continues to make a profit.  Further more if your boss is at all good at his job he will see the hard work you put in and want to keep you around.  Due to many factors most of us don’t trust our employers or think that they have our best interests at heart (in fact many business do not, their concern is the bottom line).  So how can we, as bosses or managers, get that little bit extra out of our employees?  We have come up with several creative ways to motivate your workers.

1)   Do the hard jobs yourself.  If something needs to be done, a task performed, and no one wants to do it, don’t force the low man to bear the burden do it yourself.  This accomplishes several things it shows you personally care not only about the company but the people as well.  It shows that you don’t think you’re above anyone or anything and your people will respect that.  Lead by example do not ask anything of anyone that you wouldn’t ask of yourself.

2)    It’s not always proper to take your employees out or to socialize with people from the work place, but there are exceptions to this rule.  Things like company picnics and holiday parties offer the perfect excuses for you to get to know your people on a more personal level and at the same time to show them that you’re a human being too.   Do not skimp on these events, and make sure you construct a comfortable environment for people to enjoy, do not make the holiday party another day at work where alcohol is involved and people aren’t getting paid.

3)   Be creative in the office.  Have casual Fridays where everyone can dress down or comfortably for the day.  Have a wacky tie day or a color day where everyone has to wear a crazy tie or a certain color and maybe even offer a reward for the craziest tie.  Create some levity in the office; people perform better when they are not stressed and when they are comfortable.  

4)   Keep your doors open.  Make yourself accessible, do not hide in your ivory tower and pretend to lord over your underlings, your people will despise you.  It is not necessary to be friends with everyone (this actually can be a mistake) but be there for your employees when they need you, either as a confidant or a mentor.  Make sure they see you as a human being and not some rigid automaton that’s cares only about the company’s bottom line.

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, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick 

Going Green

We’ve all hear the term “Going Green” and most of us have some idea what it means, but what does “Going Green” mean exactly.  Well in a very general sense it means being environmentally conscious.  Minimizing your “Carbon Footprint” is another term often associated with the popular “Going Green”.  Essentially it equates too having as little an impact on the environment as possible.  Recycling, car pooling, using public transportation, investing in renewable energy sources and even shopping and supporting certain eco-friendly businesses and establishments are all good examples of “Going Green”.

Recycling, ah good old recycling, even though the option and action of recycling was introduced as early as 400 BC, recycling as we understand it now only began around 1800 ad in Ireland and Great Britain with the recycling of glass bottles.  The ability to recycle aluminum did not become available to the general public until as late as 1982.  Today we can recycle almost anything and we have made great strides towards eliminating the massive landfills and toxic dumbs that have been the norm for the better part of the last century.

Car-pooling and public transportation minimizes carbon emissions that (despite certain beliefs) damage our ozone layer, the protective atmosphere that mitigates harmful UV radiation produced by our sun.  Hybrid vehicles also go a long way towards getting away from the burning of traditional fossil fuels (the leading cause of carbon emissions).  Although not every area has readily available public transportation most people have the ability to car-pool or in the absence of any other options walk or ride a bike to the desired destination.

One of the biggest trends these days for individuals looking to “Go Green” is the investment in renewable energy sources.  Some examples of renewable energy are solar power, geo-thermal heating and cooling, the installation of wind turbines to harness wind power and hydroelectric power.   We have recently developed the technology to make many of these alternative energy sources as efficient as using the tried and true fossil fuels we have been using for two centuries (in some cases the renewable energy sources are much more efficient then their more traditional contemporaries).

All of these actions and solutions contribute to what we know as “Going Green”.   Not all of these things may be available to you but I am sure some are and we encourage you to take advantage of them as much as possible.  All Star Limousine has been striving to eliminate carbon emissions as much as possible thru various methods and we will also soon be installing our very own solar array so as to take advantage of some of these very practical and very earth friendly movements.  Remember this planet is not only for us it’s for our children and our children’s children, so act accordingly.

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, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

37-Passenger Luxury Shuttle

This is he newest addition to the All Star Limousine corporate fleet, the 37-passenger luxury shuttle by Gretch.   Brand new and constructed by Gretch Coach Builders this vehicle is perfect for corporate affairs or weeding transportation for large groups.   Built and purchased only a few weeks ago at the Chauffeur Driven Limousine convention this shuttle is sleek and top of the line.  The 37-passenger luxury shuttle offers several features never before seen in a vehicle in this class, including Amia seats and a true panoramic windshield.

For large group corporate outings there is no better option.  This shuttle is solid black with dark wood floors and stunning black leather Amia seats.  The Amia seating offers ergonomically designed chairs build to optimize legroom and isle space while giving up nothing in the way of comfort.  These seats also offer double armrests and multiple pivot points so as to make those long journeys a true pleasure.  Gretch shuttles also offer their signature and custome designed panoramic windshield array so even the passengers riding at the very rear of the shuttle can see out of the front windshield, this eliminates any feeling of claustrophobia.  The panoramic windshield design by Gretch is innovative and exclusive to Gretch shuttles.

A marvelous and beautiful addition to the growing All Star fleet the 37-passenger shuttle by Gretch is versatile, innovative, stylish and sleek.  Offering the newest designs available to optimize comfort and functionality, this vehicle is perfect for any event.  Call All Star Limousine today to find out about and reserve the newest addition to our fleet, the 37-passenger luxury shuttle by Gretch!

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, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick 

Gamification

What is Gamification, Wikipedia terms it as “The use of game thinking and game mechanics in non-game contexts to engage users in solving problems.”  This essentially means trying to make work fun.  Today it is a very controversial technique, one that has had many opponents and individuals seeking to discredit the idea.  These detractors are bringing up the point that Gamification distracts from the primary objective and often times creates unnecessary competition.  Advocates of the technique claim that it promotes team building, creative thinking, and an increase in overall productivity.

Gamification has been widely applied to marketing departments in many industries.  From simple reward based programs to highly advanced techniques involving computer games and point based rewards systems.  It has many applications from learning about new products, to creating cohesion within a sales team, increasing direct sales and facilitating user engagement.  This makes sense, people will be more willing to participate in something or to do something if it is not perceived as work.  In addition most of us (especially sales people) are competitive by nature and the technique of Gamification encourages friendly competition, as a result personal performances and actual ROI are substantially increased.

Those that claim to not see the benefits of Gamification see it as a distraction.  They say also that those of us who do not thrive on competition will experience negative results when placed head to head with their peers and co-workers.  Certain industries will not see any positive results from the implementation of Gamificiation, as those industries should be keeping their products and methods pure (examples are the medical and banking fields).

Both sides of the controversy have their points but the data is clearly siding with those in favor of Gamification.   Industries have reported tremendous results by implementing these techniques and ultimately it just makes sense, at least for most.   I believe we will see a continued trend towards the use of Gamification in many fields and businesses as making work fun sounds like a no brainer to me.

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, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

An Organization’s Culture

The Culture of an organization is most often misinterpreted as something that just comes in to being, in other words something that occurs by default.  Most would think that the culture or the very environment or soul of a business is defined and created by the individuals who work and run the operation and even more so by the individuals who own said operation.  This in part is most certainly true, the atmosphere of a place is most definitely influenced by those that occupy the space and operate within it.  What most fail to realize is that the culture of an organization is most certainly something that can be engineered or created; it is something that can be designed.

One must understand that the culture of a place is incredibly important, as it is often what the public perceives both consciously and sub-consciously.  It is the attitude possessed by your employees, the general feeling given to clients and the unspoken truths shared amongst co-workers.  Very often the owner of the organization or those at the very top are the ones that set the tone.  These are the people that build the companies reputation weather for good or ill.  Then the employees follow suit, and why would they not?  After all if the ones running the company are liars and cheaters then they should expect nothing less from those they employ.

However instead of just allowing and accepting the culture established by a company a good leader or manager has the ability create that culture.  The over all mood or feeling or perception of that company can be engineered.  This is done thru several methods, chief amongst them being proper communication, branding, community relations, good HR and PR, social media and customer service.  Ultimately the simplest way to put it is, act as if, do onto others as you would have others do onto you.  If you at the top are a good, honest and noble person, most of those below you will act the same way or be weeded out by those that do.  Keep a positive upbeat attitude and attempt to instill that same attitude in those that work for you.

Things like a company dress code, office layout and amenities, holiday parties these are all ways to create that desired cultural affect within your business.   Different organizations may desire slightly different cultures; after all different values exist within different organizations.  Some organizations may desire harmony or interconnectedness, some may want wins or sales, or directly quantifiable progress, while others may be all about finding new and innovative solutions to existing problems.

Whatever the goal or your business or organization remember that it is in part defined, and very much affected, by the culture within the organization.  Many things create the culture within a business but it is important to understand that it is something that we have direct control over, the culture of our business is something we can design and control.  It starts from the top and is one of the main factors involved in running a reputable and successful business.

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, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick