The Backup Plan October 2014

5 Qualities Possessed By The Perfect Co-Worker

Everyone knows that person at work that they can’t stand and that they spend far too much time trying to avoid during the workday.   Hopefully we also know that person at work who always brightens our day, that person that we seek out after that failed sales pitch or that disappointed service call.   What is it about that person that makes them so great?  Why do they always seem to be smiling and in turn have the ability to make you smile?  Here are five qualities possess by the most loved of our co-workers.

1- They never take all the credit.  A great co-worker is always quick to let the spotlight shine on someone else.   When complimented they are the first ones to give credit to the other members of the team.  They gain a sense of fulfillment from seeing others succeed and triumph.

2- They are eternally optimistic and are always able to find the silver lining in any situation.  There are optimists and there are pessimists, for the most part no one wants to be surrounded by the bringer of the black rain cloud, no ones wants to be bombarded with negativity all day.

3- They listen well.  The best co-workers are the ones that listen more then they talk and have a way of making those around them feel better about themselves.   Our favorite peers make us feel smarter, braver and more accomplished.  They have a way of making you feel like their ideas are your ideas and they often say far more then most, and with far fewer words.

4- They are never jockeying for position or actively seeking validation.  We all know those workplace sycophants who snivel and beg for any scrap of attention or praise from their employers.   The best co-workers just do what they do without need for verbal affirmation, and when they do receive it they are happy to share it with the rest of the office.

5- They never pass off their work.  They are always willing to do the hardest job or take on the most difficult task.  We all have those team members who volunteer themselves for the simplest aspect of a project, but are you fortunate enough to have a quiet workhorse on your team that will not only take on the toughest part of the job but will then give everyone else the credit?

These are five universal characteristics possessed by the most loved of our co-workers.  The next team project that lands on your desk think about this article and ask yourself are you the perfect co-worker?

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! 

Building A Monster Sales Team

With Halloween just around the corner we figured we get in the spirit with a few ghoulishly themed blog posts.  Today’s blog is about building a monster sales team.  The driving force behind any great company is their ability to generate revenue via sales.  Logically if you’re not selling your product or service your not making money, so unless you’re a non-profit or a charity, sales are pretty important.  The perfect sales team has many components and features, each with a different role or function, but with the same underlying goal or purpose.

Imagine Frankenstein’s Monster, assembled from the parts of several dead men, the arms the legs the heart the brain, all-different, but all part of a whole.  The arms and legs of your Frankenstein Monster are your sales associates or outside sales people.  These are the guys and girls who are pounding the pavement and the telephones, chasing down leads and knocking on doors.  Good arms and legs need to be strong and tough, they need to have good stamina and be able to deal with monotonous tasks and rejection without crumbling or failing.   Sales often is a numbers game and by that logic the more doors you knock on the more no’s you will hear, but also the closer you will be getting to that yes.

Your monster needs a heart and a brain as well.  These are the driving forces behind the engine; these are the people who have the plan the design and the vision.  The brain has the plan, he or she is the one who charts the territories analyses the metrics and designs, implements and executes the sales strategy.  This individual needs to be smart and creative they need to be able to visualize the end result, their ideas and goals must obviously affect the companies’ bottom line.  The heart is the team cheerleader, this is the guy who always has that smile, who is always positive and no matter what happens helps keep everyone’s head in the game.  He’s the one who never doubts the company, the product, or its goals and will be the one who pumps the blood through the limbs of your monster in an effort to keep them moving and motivated.

Finally you have the nerves, the blood vessels and the other systems that link all the parts together.  These are your data gathers, your organizers, your communication facilitators and your closers.  These are the people in middle management and those that are sometimes behind the scenes.  These are the individuals who help the brain, the heart, the arms and the legs do their jobs.  They need to be organized, intelligent and efficient or else production gets bogged down.  Without them your monster is just a collection of parts.

Ultimately a monster sales team will be nothing short of a masterpiece (insert creepy maniacal laughter).  Each component has its own clearly defined job, but all the parts are working towards that common goal.  No one part can do it with out the others.  Each needs to have specific skill sets and each should be aware of the others roles and abilities.  Construct your team carefully and in the end you will have behind you a true monster.

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! 

Octoberfest on Long Island

Oktoberfest kicked off last week in Munich Germany and is scheduled to hit Long Island!  Oktoberfest is a centuries old German celebration that last traditionally 16 days and dates back to as early as 1810.  The worlds largest funfair was first introduced by Crown Prince Ludwig, later to be known as King Ludwig I, to celebrate his wedding on 10/12/1810. 

Oktoberfest, is also known simply as Wiesn an abbreviated version of Thersienwiese, or Theresa’s meadow.  Originally this was a grand horse race and costumed parade, it then evolved into an agricultural faire and overall celebration of German culture food and drink.  It was not until 1960 that Octoberfest became a worldwide celebration and is seen in its modern incarnation.  Today the festival is begun with a 12-gun salute and the traditional shouting of “O’zapft is!” or “It’s tapped!”.

Oktoberfest of course makes its way to Long Island New York and it can be celebrated at multiple breweries across the island.  German beers will be on tap at Blacksheep Brewery starting on October 3^rd.  The Oak Chelt in Bellmore will be serving their traditional German fare and be serenading patrons with the musical styling’s of famous accordionist Frank Rapuano.  For a more immersive Oktoberfest experience visit camp Pa-Qua-Tuck in Center Moriches which will have authentic German food drink and entertainment.

The world’s largest funfair and a wonderful celebration of German culture do not miss this year’s Octoberfest as it makes its way to your home town!

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! 

Hotel Shuttles

Planning your wedding day can be a stressful and daunting task, there are so many details and variables that, for many, it quickly becomes overwhelming.  One often-neglected aspect of your wedding day is the transportation.  Many brides and grooms book the limousines for their bridal party and family early on, but forget to accommodate they’re out-of-town guests.  Now don’t mistake my meaning, to set up transportation for your out-of-town guests is a courtesy that is not always expected and it is not always necessary, sometimes, however, it absolutely is.

Setting up the shuttle for your out-of-town guests can potentially be the most difficult part of your wedding transportation for several reasons.  Firstly you will not know how many people (you wont even really have a clue) you need to accommodate until about two months from the day of your wedding, this is when you start to get your RSVPs back.  In reality you won’t know whose going to take that shuttle until the actual day of.  Its not that people are being inconsiderate they just don’t realize what your going through as far as timing, cost and the logistics of the day.  For this reason I usually tell my brides and grooms to try not to stress about the out-of-town transfers, set up what you think you might need but don’t go over board, try not to panic as the day gets closer and those room blocks start filling up.

There are several things that you can do to help alleviate the stress of the hotel shuttles.  For one go by the amount of rooms blocked, average about two people a room.  Try to get a hotel close to the venue.  Do not attempt to get people to the church, they will find their own way.  Try to arrange for something that operates on rotation because you will have those that come down very early and you will absolutely have stragglers. At the end of the night take the shuttle with your guests, it give you a few last minutes with your loved ones and it will save you money. Try not to worry too much about every single person, things will work out, so and so will jump in with uncle Johnny because they haven’t seen each other in ten years, your future father in law will end up driving because he wants to maintain the element of control.  Just remember things will work out.

In the end remember this is about you not your guests they will be happy if you’re happy.  Do not dwell too much on this aspect of your wedding day, set something up, anticipate the best you can, and then don’t worry about it.  Things have a way of working out just fine on that special day, but following some of the tips above will help alleviate some of that unavoidable stress.

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!