The holidays bring icing on the business cake.
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UNEVEN RECOVERY: The consensus in the chauffeured transportation industry is that so far 2010 outpaces 2009 in client business and revenue; however, there are still pockets of recession affecting operators nationwide.
BADGER STATE LIMOUSINE SERVICE, an NLA member, offers some frontline information and insights on the Milwaukee market in
THIS RECENT BLOG POST. -- M.R.
The kind where everything goes wrong.
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NOV/DEC 2010 LCT PREVIEW:
Today we finish up the first-ever Customer Service/Concierge themed issue of LCT Magazine. The articles and coverage point to a simple message: Vehicles mean nothing if they're not backed up with memorable, reliable customer service.
LCT Summit keynote speaker SCOTT DEMING showed attendees at our conference in Chicago how the strongest brands are those that create an emotional connection with customers; if you give them something that makes them feel good or enhances their self perception and image, they'll be back. Deming is featured in an article about customer "love letters," where clients tell operators why they valued their service. We'll also feature an up-and-coming Southern California operator who puts those principles into packaged reality.
Posted @ LCTMAG.COM now you can find the following helpful guides to improving customer service: MAKE IT MORE THAN A RIDE shows how building up and leveraging connections and chits makes or breaks your service; 10 WAYS TO CHARM THE CONCIERGE gives you step-by-step advice on winning over high-end hotel and resort business from those with the power to decide. [A valet may be an operator's natural enemy, but the concierge can be a best friend].
Next up is an abbreviated product review of the 2011 TOYOTA AVALON, a vehicle that lacks for nothing in the luxury department and could help pave the way to wider use of practical, affordable, sensible luxury livery vehices. The Avalon is another sign that chauffeured vehicle choices are growing.
Also @ LCTMAG.COM is the return of MARKETING TIPS from Create-A-Card Inc.'s marketing guru, Arthur Messina. Don't forget to take the latest LCT WEB POLL on the HOME PAGE as well; this month we want to get a sense of the regulatory landscape. We'll have more Nov/Dec content posted by Dec. 1. Your copy of the Nov/Dec issue is about to be sent to the printer, then bundled, sacked, and delivered in time for Thanksgiving.
-- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
GREEN SEDAN: The mid-sized luxury LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID received a favorable boost from a reviewer in the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.
MKZ AUTO REVIEW AND VIDEO HERE. 2011 is the first model year in which Ford/Lincoln is promoting the MKZ Hybrid as part of its luxury livery fleet selection. [The others, of course, are the 2011 Lincoln Town Car Executive L, in its final year, and the Lincoln Navigator SUV]. Two key points from the review: The MKZ Hybrid has sufficient legroom, AND the car overall does not scream "green," which can be a turnoff to many motorists. -- M.R.
SAFETY ALERT: A 17-year-old foreign student who rode a limo party bus ends up dead. The operator basically says: Not my fault.
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