About LCT Blog

Welcome to LCT Blog, LCT Magazine's blog devoted to "stretching chauffeured transportation." The LCT team appreciates you clicking in, and hopes you'll find some useful and entertaining information. Read more

Contributors

Martin Romjue

Martin Romjue joined LCT Magazine as editor on Jan. 2, 2008. He most recently worked as a business editor for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, and previously reported at newspapers in Virginia, Florida, and California. Read more

Jim Luff

Jim Luff is an operator from Bakersfield, CA who wears a few different hats. Jim began his career in the industry as a private chauffeur in 1990. In 1993 he found a permanent home at The Limousine Scene as the general manager, later becoming a partner. Read more

Tim Crowley

Tim Crowley joined LCT Magazine as a senior editor on April 22nd, 2013. He is a graduate of UCLA with an English degree, and is an experienced video production coordinator. He will be helping LCT further develop its digital media content. Read more

Denis Wilson

Denis Wilson is LCT’s East Coast Editor. His previous writing has been published by The New York Times, FastCompany.com, Fortune.com and RollingStone.com. Denis was born and raised in Upstate New York and currently resides in Philadelphia. Read more

January 2011 Entries

JIM LUFF: When The Lights, Go Down, In The City . . .

An operator must know how to be an improv artist. . .

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Towne Livery Boosts A Better Show Video

LCT MARKETING AWARD? If we could give one for BEST SHOW PROMO, it would undoubtedly go to David Bastian of Towne Livery in Orchard Park, N.Y. . .

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JIM LUFF: Notifying Your Chauffeurs

Relaying assignments to your chauffeurs is an important task that requires multiple forms of consistent internal communication.

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BIG PUBLICITY COUP: Operator Lands In the NY Times

GETTING NOTICED: Operator Douglas Schwartz of EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE in Bellmore, N.Y., and the president of the LONG ISLAND LIMOUSINE ASSOCIATION, landed in the business section of the New York Times today in a column about Small Business. The topic is about Internet advertising and social media, and how Schwartz has adapted to and invested his ad dollars in them for better returns. The column also EVALUATES AND ASKS FOR FEEDBACK on Schwartz's web site. A follow up column next week will highlight constructive criticism of the Executive web site. Call it a two-fer: Good exposure and a chance to get expert advice on doing better.

Separately, the LILA WEB SITE deserves praise for its simple, news-oriented format, which is a useful service for operator-members. Best of all: It's not too busy and gets to the point. -- M.R. 


JIM LUFF: Getting Ready for International LCT Show 2011

With just over a month left before the BIG SHOW, everyone is in planning mode. Meetings, meetings, meetings! The official ones and the secret ones are being planned.

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Towne Livery Uses Video To Promote Show Booth

WHY DON'T MORE VENDORS DO THIS? For the third year in a row, livery vehicles sales manager David Bastian of TOWNE LIVERY of Orchard Park, N.Y. has promoted his booth at the INTERNATIONAL LCT SHOW with a YouTube video that goes viral. It's a great way to get attention and drive traffic.  TOWNE LIVERY ILCT VIDEO HERE. -- M.R.


JIM LUFF: Shut The Front Door on 2010!

MOVING ON: Look for some better times ahead.

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Momentum Builds For 2011 @ LCT

JANUARY 2011 LCT:
 
LCT Magazine kicks off the New Year with a cover devoted to the next generation Lincoln limousine vehicle and the team behind it bringing it to market.
 
The 2013 Lincoln MKT livery version debuts in less than six weeks at the 2011 INTERNATIONAL LCT SHOW at the PARIS LAS VEGAS. Operators from around the worldwide will have a chance to sit in the prototype and sample the stretch version, which will bring a more futuristic bullet look to the traditional stretch limousine.
 
As with any new vehicle, we are seeing some enthusiastic embrace of it; some wait-and-see skepticism; and a few cases of panicky clinging to the last version of the Lincoln Town Car Executive L. The track record for new vehicle models generally is one of gradual acceptance that turns to strong devotion over time.
 
This month on LCTMAG.COM we’ve posted a new ROUND OF FEATURES from the January issue, which includes LCT’s annual new vehicles gallery. Articles examine the revenue potential in TWEENER LIMO RIDERS who’ve proven a strong influence on parents’ spending; the benefits of offering PROTECTIVE CHAUFFEURED SERVICES; the first part of a complete guide to SELLING SHARPER in this economy; and a landmark year for a THIRD-GEN FAMILY OPERATION in the Northeast.
 
LCT Publisher Sara Eastwood-McLean touches one of the many hot button issues of the chauffeured transportation industry in a column asking why operators must pay TAXES ON CHAUFFEUR TIPS.
 
As usual, we have a new OPERATOR WEB POLL QUESTION, and four BIG MARKETING TIPS from Create-A-Card Inc.
 
Don’t forget to register for the 2011 INTERNATIONAL LCT SHOW with theme of "Driven To Succeed." Pre-registrations as of this week are double the number at this time last year, with the Show still six weeks away. We’re sensing a lot of penned up demand for networking and shopping the trade show floor that LCT’s unparalleled industry events offer.
 
We look forward to seeing our readers and attendees. Thanks to all who have hung in there with us during the last two difficult years. Happy New Year and many wishes for rebound successes in 2011.
 
— Martin Romjue, LCT editor