The Backup Plan July 2013

Sales And Marketing For An Executive Car Service

Sales and Marketing, when people here those two words they have one of two very different reactions; Either they cringe and grit their teeth or the adrenaline starts going and the blood pressure begins to elevate.  Sales especially is something people hate or they love.  Marketing as well but usually marketing is a bit more low pressure as opposed to sales.  Sales and marketing in an executive car service or limousine company is very similar to sales in any service-based industry and at the same time it is very different.

From the perspective of a sales person for any service industry you need to truly believe in what you are offering to people (or be an unscrupulous moral-less sales person) because when people experience that service and are unsatisfied odds are they are going to let you know, and in any service industry people aren’t exactly nice about their bad experiences.  This remains true in the executive car industry but there are some additional challenges faced by the limousine sales person.   For one when dealing with the corporate end of the business things need to be perfect, without exception, and corporate entities using an executive car service can be very demanding because often times your service will directly affect their service.  What I mean is that if we are scheduled to pick up the VP of sales for a major financing firm and take him to his meeting with a potential client and he is late (because we are late) that costs him money, for the most part if that happens once they are looking for another service (and justifiably so).

The other side of the business is the celebratory side, weddings, proms birthdays and special occasions.  Events that for people usually mark major life milestones, and although there exist no or very little residual business for these type of events, these types of trips can be the most stressful and potentially problematic.  Just like the corporate end people are spending a good amount of money and they expect nothing short of perfection.  Unfortunately sometimes there is just no pleasing certain people, no matter what they will not be fully satisfied and again when things go wrong it is usually the sales person who gets that angry phone call.

That’s why it is a pleasure to be able to work for an organization that is flawless.  All Star Limousine is everything that an executive car service and limousine company should be.  We are always on time, we will always have a clean late model vehicle in perfect working order, you will get what you ordered and what you are paying for without exception.  So to do sales for this company is nothing short of a blessing.  In an industry riddled with poor service and disastrous reputation All Star continues to expand it’s business and grow its customer base.  This is no testament to the sales and marketing team because their job is easy, it is a testament to the company as a whole, to the service we extend.  Because without the product behind you a good sales person’s job is next to impossible, but if the service or product is there it literally sells itself.

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!

Leadership (5 Tips For a Good Manager)

If you have ever been a manager or an executive or a boss in an organization or a company then you may have an understanding of what it really takes to be a good leader.  If you have never been in a position of authority it may be difficult to see or realize what is going on above you.  It may even seem as if you are doing all the work and the boss is reaping the rewards (if this is the case then a revisit of duties and responsibilities may be in order or in extreme cases a visit to HR).  When done correctly being a manager or the person in charge can be incredibly rewarding and at the same time incredibly difficult.  Below we offer 5 tips for proper leadership and management in any business.

1)   Lead by example.  Do not be that boss who micromanages and delegates then takes a long lunch and leaves early.  Your employees are not stupid (and if they are that’s your own fault for hiring them) they will see what you are doing and no one likes to do all the work and get none of the credit.  If a difficult task is presented to you, do it, take charge and always do the hardest job.  Your people will love and respect you for it.

2)   Be honest.  Be upfront with people especially your employees.  Even if what you have to say is negative or it is an admonishment do not skirt the issue.  Be forward and forthright this way this is no chance of a miscommunication.  People will respect your honesty and they will trust you and know that you mean what you say.

3)   Understand that business is business but a little compassion or empathy when necessary can go a long way.   If something’s not working or someone’s not doing what they’re supposed to or what’s expected of them then there exists an issue that needs to be addressed.   There is however a right way to address an issue and a wrong way.  Now I am not here to tell you how to handle a problem because people have their own proven methods of administrating and at the same time people have certain ways that they need to be managed.  Some people need a gentle touch while others respond best to being yelled at or berated (although personally I do not advocate yelling and brow beating as it creates hostility and a negative work environment).  Put yourself in your subordinates shoes ask yourself how you would be best corrected before addressing a problem.

4)   Recognize the value of your people.  One of the greatest gifts an employer can possess is being able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of his team.  If this is not an ability you naturally possess as a person in charge I urge you to take steps to develop it.  Putting the right people in the right positions will simplify your job and make your business that much better.

5)   Face the reality that you will not always be right.  Just because you get the big paycheck or you make the hard decisions does not make you infallible.  No one likes a know-it-all or someone who doesn’t listen to reason.   If an underling has a good suggestion or makes an argument contradictory to your own feelings do not just shut them down, listen and communicate.  Using the creativity and varied perspective of those around you is a life skill that is invaluable.  Do not be afraid of losing your authority or power (if you are a proper manager you will have these things no matter what) if you are wrong admit to it and people will respect your honesty and you’re versatility.  It has often been said, “Great leaders listen.”

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!

The All Star Difference

All Star Business Class excels at meeting the needs of our customers.  We have perfected the art of logistical accommodations.  We are on time every time and that is why that’s our motto.  What is it that allows us to thrive when so many others seem to fall short?  Well here are just a few reasons why All Star is a cut above the rest.

• Dispatch is available 24/7/365.
• All of our vehicles have Omatics Global Positioning Systems that enable our staff to instantly locate a vehicle.
• Our vehicles are fully licensed and insured worldwide.  We carry 5 million dollar full liability coverage.
• Our dispatchers have two up-to-the-minute Flight Tracking Systems to monitor flights all over the world.  When you land at your destination, you will receive a text message on your smartphone to alert you of your driver’s location.
• A Drive-Cam System is provided for the safety of our passengers.
• All drivers are customer service-trained, finger printed, background checked, and randomly drug tested.
• Reservations can be made, changed and viewed online 24/7/365 and are confirmed 24 hours prior.
• All Star has a dedicated worldwide reservation staff which monitors all reservations throughout the world from start to finish.  One call, we do it all!
• Manage your corporate expenses online.
• Live staff, no answering service or voice message.
• If needed, All Star has the capability and staff to design a dedicated call center for your company’s ground travel and will provide you reports as needed.
• All Star can dedicate an account manager, who will put you at ease with this personal one on one approach.
• As an experienced executive ground transportation Company, we take pride in our ability to adapt to our customer needs.

All Star Limousine Worldwide is the premiere provider of executive car service internationally.  We pride our selves on our ability to flawlessly service all of our cliental.  We specialize in corporate service with All Star Business Class and we have the ability to accommodate any and all of your travel needs without exception.  We can we will and we do at All Star Limousine Worldwide!

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!

Independence Day (The 4th of July)

July fourth is one of the greatest American holidays there is.  Barbeques, fireworks, parades, swimming pools and ball games what more could you want.  The weather is warm, everyone is in a great mood, summer is just beginning and the kids are out of school it really falls on the perfect time.  It is important to remember what we are celebrating.  This is the day we celebrate America’s independence, the victory in a war that gave us the freedoms that many of us take for granted today.

America is a great nation, some would argue the greatest, but that was not something that happened overnight.  This country was built on ideas and ideologies first introduced by our founding fathers during the adoption of the Declaration of Independence On July 4^th, 1776.  Religious and political freedom, freedom from unfair taxation, equal rights and justice were what these great men risked everything to emphasize.  They went to war and gave their lives so that we today could enjoy these noble and righteous gifts.

Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and many more paved the way so that we could live in the greatest country in the world.  Remember their sacrifice and remember what they stood for this Fourth of July.  Enjoy the fireworks, take a swim in the pool and don’t forget the hot dogs and potato salad but always remember what its all about. 

Often we forget and are swept up in the commercialism of this nation’s holidays.  That is not your fault, really its just good old-fashioned capitalism.  But this Fourth when that last mortar explodes in the nights sky in a cascade of multi-colored embers and sparks remember that we are Americans and remember what that means and what we stand for.  Happy Fourth of July God Bless America!

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.^”

-John Adams

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!

Mechanics in an Executive Car Service

When you are responsible for the maintenance and servicing of a $60,000 automobile you need to be on top of your game.  When you are responsible for 200 $60,000 vehicles being at the pinnacle of your game sometimes isn’t enough.  So how do you address this issue when you own an international limousine company or executive car service?  It is a question many companies fail to answer.  Others fail to place the proper emphasis on preventative maintenance and reactive maintenance.  The only way to really tackle this issue is to have a mechanic, or several, on staff and in house that are dedicated to solely servicing your fleet and it stands to reason that the more cars you have the more mechanics you need.

The public sometimes does not understand the very simple nature of an executive car service or limousine company.  We are renting vehicles out daily sometimes multiple times a day, and that does cause wear on the vehicle.  There are several steps that are taken to avoid mechanical problems occurring during a job.  One is a quick turnaround time; we have a twelve to eighteen month turnaround around, this guarantees you the most current model vehicle and it also contributes to the vehicle being clean and in sound mechanical condition.  Another necessary step is to perform scheduled preventative maintenance, this is imperative because the only other option is to perform reactionary maintenance or in other words fix it once its broken and that is absolutely not something you want to be dealing with in an executive car service or limousine company.  The facility or actual location of the company is important as well, any proper limousine company or executive car service needs to have an area where the cars can be brought in out of the elements and where a mechanic can service the vehicles.  A location for a lift or in house car wash also contributes greatly to a clean, well-maintained automobile.

All Star Limousine has all of this.  We have our own in house car wash and lift system.   We have not one mechanic not two mechanics but a team of twelve who work exclusively for All Star Limousine and this allows us to have at least two on location 24/7/365.  These gentlemen perform routine maintenance daily.  We turn our cars over every twelve to eighteen months.  Because that’s what it takes, that is with out a doubt what needs to be done to guarantee a quality service.

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!