The Backup Plan March 2014

Polite and Professional Company

There are certain things one should not do or say when in polite or professional company.  The three traditionally taboo subjects have always been politics religion and sex.  Some would argue that to censor any subject universally is unconstitutional or inhumane, pushing us further and further toward a cold computerized future.  Others say that there is a time and a place for certain topics and conversations and that for the most part work is not the place to air out your dirty laundry.  I think that most things are situational, there is no universal law that accurately states what you can and cannot discuss in a professional environment, however people need to exercise a little emotional intelligence and recognize that there are most definitely certain people and certain places where certain topics should be avoided.

Firstly, when at work, do not talk about the money you make with co-workers.  This should be obvious and the problems it can create are numerous, from an employees perspective it may not seem all that bad but from the point of view of an employer it is never a good thing.  It can also create problems amongst employees; telling someone who does the same job as you that you make more then them is not good for morale and if you were to find out that the person sitting next to you was making more how would that make you feel?

Religion and politics is also another area where one should tread carefully.   Some people take their religious orientation and political views very seriously and will take or cause offense when speaking passionately about subjects they take personally.  The work place is not a place for debate or argument it is a place for work.

Your sex life or your personal life is also another subject that should be avoided unless you are talking with close friends.  No one wants to hear your dirty laundry, your boss doesn’t need to know what club you were at the night before or who you spent last night with.  Sexual orientation is not something to be discussed at work, who you are with and what you do behind closed doors are subjects best left discussed behind those same doors.

Ultimately there are topics that are better avoided when at work or in polite company.  Of course there are exceptions to every rule and no one wants to stifle anyone’s humanity or too force people into a cold robotic mentality.  So it is important to think before you speak and to exercise some emotional intelligence in certain situations, especially when at the work place or in polite company.

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

Facebook’s New Face

Facebook is finally rolling out its revamped news feed.  This change was announced about a year ago and has since been highly anticipated.   The newsreel will now boast several aesthetic changes including larger pictures and slight changes to the cosmetics of some of the buttons on the news feed.  I don’t know if anyone else has noticed but it seems that the changes are going to make the look of Facebook remarkably similar to another popular social media platform.

The wait is over and the cosmetic adjustments to the Facebook news feed are here!  You will notice now that some pictures and photos in the news feed span the entire width of the page.  Also note that now font changes are available and the buttons along the right rail have been made larger.  These changes are much more subtle then what Facebook had announced a year ago, but most would agree that there was very little wrong with the current rendition of the newsreel (if anything at all).  Facebook promises that no changes will be made to the way ads or stories surface or the reach that they have.  This remains a primary concern for many of the social media platform’s primary users.  One slight peculiarity that some may note is the remarkable similarity the newsreel will have to Google+.  Not that there is anything wrong with this as Google+ is well known for the vibrant pictures and gifs that seem to dominate most of its circles.

Ultimately change is good, even subtle change.  Facebook continues to be the dominant contender in the social media world and it is the standard to which many of its competitors hold themselves too.  Recently the giant has made several large purchases and several changes to its algorithms, it only stands to reason that a facelift was in order.

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

How To Make Your Customers Love You

Customer Service these days is tremendous.  Not to say that in the past it was not important, but in todays day and age anyone can post a review about your company on one of a hundred different platforms and there it will stay for anyone looking to see.  Think about it for a moment, the consequences of just a single negative review can be devastating, and realize of the power that today’s consumer possesses.  In a way that is kind of how it should be, the customer should have a voice.  The only problem with this model is that not everyone is rational or reasonable; sometimes there is no pleasing someone no matter how hard you try.  For the rest of the world below are a few tips that will help you build a loyal and adoring fan base.

Do more then is expected.  Don’t promise the world and then come up short, do the opposite, provide what is expected and then surprise your customer, give that little bit extra.  In the service industry especially this goes a long way, often times people are skeptical about the services they contract for, they question the reputation of the company and their own expectations.  There are circumstances where the client finds himself or herself in a position of disappointment having received a sub par service that they paid for in advance.  Do more then just accommodate, go above and beyond what is expected and watch how your clients react.

Ask for feed back and then actually make the suggested change.  People love those that listen and it gives them a sense of power and accomplishment when you give your customer a voice.  Have a repeat client that has a suggestion?  Take his advice and do what he or she requests the next time without letting them know that you are changing anything and see the expression on their face.

Engage your customers.  With communications technology being what it is today there are so many opportunities to interact and open a dialogue with a potential or existing customer.  Social media is perfect for this.  A platform like Facebook lets customers see and comment on a companies policies, procedures and current activities.  Respond to those that comment on your page or who comment about you elsewhere.  This will show your customers that you care and that you value their engagement and that you are talking with them and not at them.

In conclusion having customers who like you is something that cannot be overrated.  A loyal and adoring fan base is paramount to successful business these days especially in the service industry.   Today everyone has a voice and wants to be heard and its important that those voices are signing your praises and not cursing your name.

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