Anyone who travels for business knows that choosing the right limo car service is a vital part of the process. Hiring the best limo car service can make the difference between a terrible experience and a wonderful one. This idea also comes into play if you own your own business and you need to make regular arrangements for potential or current clients when they come into town and need to get around.
Regardless of whether you are the one traveling, or you're hosting for another party, it's important to be able to get from point A to point B smoothly, and choosing a reliable, high quality limo car service is the key elements that will make this happen. Your business relationship depend on a certain level of professionalism on both sides so obviously the same goes for your relationship with your driver and the service they work for. There are a number of factors to keep in mind when choosing a limo car service to ensure you choose wisely.
-
First impressions are gold with almost all business relationships and the same can be said for choosing a limo car service. Check the vehicle for damages, and for cleanliness, and take note of the driver's overall demeanor. He or she should be polite and professional at all times, and able to communicate effectively with you.
-
Don't hesitate to ask for references. Speaking to the former clients of a limo car service is one of the most effective ways to get an idea of their level of service. Look for companies that specialize in business class travelers, who will be more accustomed to the kind of professionalism you will require.
-
Consider the size of the company. A smaller limo car service operation may employ more personable drivers, but they may also have a harder time accommodating your demands, especially if you have a large number of clients traveling for business, or you need to be in multiple places throughout the day.
-
We all know that flight schedules can change with little to no advanced warning, so you need to hire a limo car service that can accommodate your needs, even if your plans are altered at the last minute. A more sizeable company will have the right number of drivers and cars to do so, whereas a smaller limousine service company may not.
-
Location is a huge consideration, which is another reason to look for larger, more established companies. Let's say you travel to cities such as NYC, LA and Boston. If you can find a limo car service that has drivers in all of those places, you will be able to streamline your plans much easier and you will already know what to expect when your feet touch ground. Who wants to deal with the unexpected every time they travel out of town for business?
-
Speaking of vehicles, you may need a number of different types of cars, SUVs or vans, depending on the size of your party or your particular needs during your stay. If you're bringing a group of staff members for a sponsored event you will probably need a van, or even a small bus. If you also have equipment to tote along, you may need a special van for that, which many limo car services would be happy to offer. Asking about these things ahead of time will save you a lot of headaches later on.
After taking this all in, you should now have a better idea of what goes into choosing a quality limo car service. As long as you choose well, handling your ground-traveling arrangements should be fast, easy and efficient.
There are many different reasons to use a limo service. I personally have used limos for weddings, concerts, sporting events, and even work type events. You could even use them for important airport transfers or even just a fun night on the town. Whatever the reason for your limo service needs, you will want to make sure you hire the right limo service company. The following are some things to look for in your limo service company to ensure that you get the service you need and deserve for your special event.1. Years of OperationIt is always a good idea to work with a company that has been around for quite a few years. If the company is just starting out, you will not be able to find out many details about the company and its reputation. I generally like to work with a company that has been around for 5-10 years. I can find out lots of details about that company and even get customer comments on the service they provided. Plus, the company has experience with lots of situations so no matter why I need the limo service, the company will likely have a service to help meet my needs.2. The VehiclesIf you need a certain type of limo for your occasion, you will need to find the limo service company to match. That means taking a look at each companies vehicles in order to find a match. Not only will you want the right style of limo, but you will also want to find out how well the limos are maintained. If the event is something really special in my life, I even like to go to the companies storage facility and look at the vehicle I will be using in person.3. The DriversEvery company is going to say that their drivers are great so it is hard to judge one limo service against another in that manner. In order to find out some details on the drivers, ask the company for references. You can call the people who have used the service in the past and ask about their drivers. When I do this, if I hear about a particularly good experience, I may even ask for that driver by name. You can also look at social media sites that may be in the companies name and see what kind of comments people have left about their drivers.4. The CostNot all limo services cost the same and you will see quite a large variety of costs between companies. The costs vary for a number of reason, but it is wise not to just go with the cheapest service. Sometimes, when you want the best, you need to pay a little more. In my experience, I only go with the lowest price if all of the other aspects of the limo service line up with my needs. Otherwise, I will keep looking until I find one that fits, even if it costs a bit extra. I know that extra cost will be worth it to get the right limo service.5. The ExtrasKeep in mind that any time you use a limo service, you are not just getting a ride, you are representing a luxury way of life. As you check out the options, make sure you think about the little extras such as being able to play your favorite music, watch movies, or enjoy a complimentary bar. Decide what extras are important to you and make sure they are included in the limo and the initial costs. 
Chauffeur services come with a lot of expectations from clients. Executive limo services cater for high profile guests who constantly seek for nothing short of excellence and compassionate travel experience. A chauffeur is the image of a limo service company since he or she delivers the service. An executive chauffeur service is more than a driving service and it calls for multi-faceted approach in service delivery. There are various steps that can nurture a professional chauffeur who is able to deliver beyond the expectations of guests.
Three steps that can drive a chauffeur to great heights in executive chauffeur service are:
Step 1: Nurture a Professional Chauffeuring Backdrop
Being hired for a chauffeuring job is strictly a do-or-die aspect. Reputed limo services providers do not want to take any chances when hiring their professional chauffeurs. An employment pre screening is carried out to attest that the professional chauffeur is fit for the job. Besides excellent executive driving qualifications, a chauffeur is also required to have the right business etiquette in offering executive chauffeur service.
Limo service caters for upscale clients for example, business executives, the rich and elite, government leaders, celebrities and diplomatic personnel. These definitely understand what service is all about. Developing an executive chauffeur service background means displaying high level of discipline in your job and creating personalized service to the clients.
With support of a reputable limo service firm, a chauffeur can develop strong professional background through on-job training and fostering extraordinary achievements in executive chauffeur service delivery. Limo services clients require high level of secure driving meaning that hard to pin down and defensive driving techniques are highly essential.
Step 2: Build a Culture of Unparalleled Customer Care
Limo services are heavily pegged on customer service. In order to display executive chauffeur service and great customer care, you need to understand the needs of your clients. Limo service clients are peculiar in that they understand what customer service is, and demand the same from the staff. From simple acts of aiding your client open doors, carry luggage and hold umbrella to more technical aspects such as assisting connect a Smartphone on an Internet line, a chauffeur should always be smart at service.
Similarly from showing problem-solving techniques to being remorseful and in high spirit a chauffeur needs to be resilient in executive chauffeur service provisions. It is perhaps true that a limo chauffeur greatly determines the level of customer loyalty. Knowing your repeat clients and addressing them by name is a sign of courtesy. Building a bond with clients can help redefine career aspirations of a chauffeur and takes an executive chauffeur service company to higher levels.
Step 3: Do It Right and Persistently
If a chauffeur observes the job requirements for executive chauffeur service, this models out to a professional and dependable employee. The reputation of a limo service provider is built by chauffeurs. There are many aspects a chauffeur has to observe right from self respect, job discipline and exceptional chauffeur-client interrelation. Whereas a limo service company will carry through drug tests to ensure executive chauffeur service ethics are adhered, a chauffeur will never drive under influence of drugs or alcohol.
In fact, such unethical character defines one as a driver and not a chauffeur. Similarly, a chauffeur is able to offer security for clients and possesses skills and techniques to navigate various road-use and security scenarios that may occur. High level of intuitiveness is required to make upright and speedy decisions in every executive chauffeur service provision. Indeed, a chauffeur is a person who understands something about everything in limo services provision.
For more on how chauffeurs can differentiate a successful ground transportation company from a not-so-successful limousine and livery company. click here.
After years of international travel, I would highly suggest two things the moment you disembark from your transport. First, start with a brisk walk (usually accomplished while moving towards baggage claim). More importantly, a transportation limo chauffeur service. No, it is not necessarily a luxury, but it could save you time, sanity and thus, money. Using a transportation limo chauffeur service will move you in comfort, style and speed you to your meeting or special event. Think about the possibility: arriving refreshed at your destination in a professional, transportation limo or sedan—relaxed and invigorated for your important meeting or event.Interestingly, the fee difference between a transportation limo or sedan and other means of transportation is not as vast as many might think. Most transportation limo or sedan services traveling from airports or to business destinations have an impeccable reputation for being prompt. After decades of using transportation limo and sedan services, I have yet to find a chauffeur delayed from an appointed meeting location.Special events like weddings, proms and reunions are actually easier with a transportation or sedan chauffeur service. I tend to think of the big picture, of all of the planning that goes in to a special event. Having a transportation or sedan chauffeur service work with your logistics, or special instructions like, “keep the kids to such-and-such time limit,” is a huge benefit. In many cases, event planners and organizers have a transportation or sedan chauffeur service in which they rely upon and can get special deals to their customer. Executive chauffeur services have special vehicles for events like prom that can allay some parental fears with simple omissions aboard, such as no alcohol. Even at events as somber as a funeral, chauffeurs can be given special instructions as to logistics. I experienced this once during a funeral when the driver gladly drove my family and I around for a time while we composed ourselves before a wake. It was a kind gesture that made the rest of the day more tolerable. I find that executive chauffeur service is an absolute must for an exciting night out on the town. Few could argue the advantages to being whisked along to a spectacular excursion in a transportation limo or sedan. Worries about finding locations, comfort and safety, or even sobriety, are mitigated when using chauffeured transit. In some cases, I would pool my finances with another couple to make the evening more exciting and rather reasonably priced. There is nothing more rewarding to me, after a pleasant evening or outing, to have my comfortable ride ready to deliver me to my next location in style. Considering the price paid in fuel, valet parking, battling traffic, ruffled nerves and personal liability, executive chauffeur service is a bit of a bargain.To experience the difference, click the button below and cash in on extra savings!
Whether your company specializes in airport sedan service, limousine rental for wedding, limo services or all of the above, there comes a time when you have to decide when to refurbish your fleet. Below is an article I wrote that appears in the most recent issue of LCT magazine.
Looking to Keep Your Fleet Fresh? Leasing May Be For You
By Johnny Greene of ETS International
In this troubled economy, keeping the best available town car and limo service on the road can be a challenge. When the Lincoln Town Car is replaced by a MKZ or MKT or a Cadillac XTS, will you retain that competitive advantage by having your clients step into a brand new (or reasonably new) vehicle every two years?
The opportunity exists with leasing, which affords the option to get a new vehicle every couple of years. There are other advantages, such as omitting the hassle of titles and registrations. There could possibly be tax breaks and benefits centered on the down payment and the overall terms of the lease, depending on your limo or sedan service company’s tax structure. With leasing, your monthly payments can be used on your taxes, so you have a clear-cut picture each tax year of what your deduction will be. But with financing, everything is tied into the depreciation at the end of the term.
One leasing company executive said, “If your accountant says it’s in the best interest of your company to lease vehicles, and you’re planning to turn over your assets every two to three years, then a lease is most likely what you will need.”
Pros & Cons
Like most choices, there are pros and cons to every situation. Click here to continue reading.
Everything runs in cycles, and the limousine industry is no exception. From a world of stretch limousines and flashy town cars, now comes a trend to move as many people as possible in the comfort that those vehicles have made a reputation of delivering throughout the years.
Over the past two decades, helped in part by an economy that appears to be coming back at a frustratingly leisurely pace, our industry has turned its lonely eyes to ways to adapt to the customer’s needs. And what it has construed is that the company that is going to make it through this economic sludge intact is the company that has the foresight to supplement its fleet with the vehicles that can transport anywhere from 14-30 people at a clip.
Whether you refer to them as mini-coaches, limo coaches, luxury limos, or even limo buses (though the tendency in some quarters is not to, less people think the executive staff of P&G is heading to a company meeting in a little yellow school bus), they are the newest vehicles in many company’s inventory, spurred on in part by what is anticipated to be a surge in the meetings and events industry (which we will discuss in more detail below).
Business clients don’t need to pay some high-priced accounting firm to see that there’s no economic sense in transporting 30 employees in five sedans at an average hourly rate (according to a recent Limo Digest industry poll) of $62 for each car, when they can layout $140 for one mini coach and be on their way to the next meeting.
If there’s such a need, why doesn’t everyone hop on board? Because it just may not be for everyone, depending on their financial makeup. No two ways around it, limo coaches, mini-coaches and all their brothers and sisters, are a large chunk of investment. For some companies, investing $25,000-$40,000 for a sedan or town car is palpable. But to layout anywhere from $50,000-$250,000 for something bigger may not be in their economic interests.
But if you can make the leap it’s an investment worth making. The vehicle might make less trips but the revenue is higher per trip. You could also ”test the waters,” so to speak, by partnering with a company that specializes in limo buses and mini-coaches, in order to gage the demand and see if it’s a good fit for your company.
There are even advantages in mini coaches over traditional motor coaches (which can carry upwards of 50 people). Said one Virginialimo operator, “If you have a motorcoach going out for $900 per day, and a mini-coach going out for $140 per hour, it doesn’t take many hours for the mini-bus to be profitable.” His 57-vehicle fleet now offers 12 mini-buses.
Owning a fleet of buses can be expensive and high-maintenance, above the most obvious question as to where exactly are you going to store anywhere from one to as many as 50 or more 40-foot long vehicles? Do you have the space on property or do you have to rent space off-site? You may have a maintenance person on staff that can give a quick lube, oil & filter to a sedan, but can that same guy figure out the complex mechanical inner workings of a motor coach? If it takes one guy 30 minutes to clean a sedan between runs, how many people will it take to make a quick turnaround when a bus returns to the garage after 50 partiers whooped it up on the way to the nearest casino (that’s only if there isn’t a restroom onboard?) And have you seen the price of gas lately, particularly diesel? Just some things to think about.
But perhaps no aspect of the business is impacted more when you add motor coaches to your fleet than the driver, whose level of importance suddenly become elevated (to that end, make sure your driver dresses like a chauffeur and not like Ralph Kramden, even if it’s just a shirt and tie).
Impress the pants of your 50 guests with a clean vehicle and a courteous, well-informed driver, and not only will they spread good cheer, but at least a few in the seats will think to themselves, “Hmm, if the company treats 50 people this well, how good will their service be if I book them for my daughter’s wedding, or the next corporate road trip?” And when that happens, a lot of the “cons” about adding buses suddenly don’t seem so bad.
But whether you add motor coaches or just supplementing your inventory with mini coaches, you are not going to want to miss the bus now that the signs are there that things are starting to perk up in the business travel and meetings arena as we head into 2012, And when they do, you need to be ready to have the means to move large groups of people.
And what’s the frosting on this double-layer of economic optimism? How about the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) stating that business travel volume and spending is recovering at a stronger-than-expected rate.
Travel spending might be on the rise, but so is the corporate traveler’s demand for quality and value. And if this is the direction your client is heading in, you better make sure you are able to take them there in a vehicle that can best serve their needs. Mini-coach, limo-coach, mini-bus, doesn’t matter what you call it, it all comes down to this; if you don’t get your client in some variation of a bus, you may be ultimately throwing your company under one.
We are pleased to announce that Exceptional Limousine is now part of Executive Transportation Services, dba ETS International. Click the button above to take advantage of special limited-time offers commemorating this new partnership!
What is a Chauffeur, Exactly?
A person who's job it is to navigate a motor vehicle with passengers is often referred to as a driver chauffeur. One of the things that differentiates a chauffeur from a bus or taxi driver is that a chauffeur usually pilots a luxury vehicle, like a sedan or limousine for a special client.
Chauffeurs were originally servants that were employed by the owner of the car and acted as the personal driver anytime the employer wanted to go somewhere. Today, while that form of chauffeur still exists to a lesser extent, a new breed of chauffeur is more predominant as businesses such as an executive chauffeur service provide both the driver and the vehicle upon request by a client.
The term "chauffeur" has roots in the French term for stoker. Early automobiles were steam powered and had to be heated up before use. Only the wealthiest of people could afford the first vehicles and they usually hired someone to not only drive them around, but to also get the car stoked for driving. Basically, chauffeur means "heater-upper". Now, all the stoking those working for an executive chauffeur service must do involves simply turning a key.
A chauffeur definitely refers to a more specialized kind of driver. "Driver" could be used in reference to anyone at the wheel of a motorized vehicle that is transporting any number of passengers. Chauffeurs conjure images of a bit more elegance, and for good reason, as they typically are equipped with more luxurious modes of transportation. An executive chauffeur service often provides the driver and vehicle for business people, athletes, and anyone in need of a more customizable transport experience.
The reasons for choosing an executive chauffeur service are varied and extensive. Not only are chauffeurs a convenient option that saves time and increases productivity, but they are also much safer than other modes of transportation. All employees for an executive chauffeur service have excellent knowledge of the cities in which they operate and often times have excellent recommendations for visitors.
An executive chauffeur service requires their chauffeurs to undergo extra training in addition to meeting minimum legal requirements. Training usually includes evasive/defensive driving techniques, methods that ensure proper safety during extreme weather conditions, how to handle dangerous and emergency situations, and also proper etiquette around clientele. One of the many benefits hiring an executive chauffeur service includes peace of mind by knowing you are in the capable, experienced hands of a professional chauffeur.
Also, how can chauffeurs be discussed without mentioning those snazzy uniforms? Proper physical presence and appearance are a standard across the industry. A well-groomed individual wearing a conservative, clean, dark suit is often also done up in a matching tie, shoes, and gloves. It is common for an executive chauffeur service to require their employees to wear complete uniforms and even the occasional hat.
No matter how you choose to reach your destination, a professional from an executive chauffeur service is sure to be a positive experience that keeps customers coming back for more, time and time again.
At ETS International, we take pride in our professionally trained and impeccably attired chauffeurs. To learn more, click here.
We are pleased to announce that Exceptional Limousine of Milford, MA is now part of Executive Transportation Services, dba ETS International. In December 2011, owner and CEO Eric Tonkonogy moved forward with the merger of Exceptional Limousine with ETS International. John Greene, CEO and President of ETS International would like to thank Eric's customers for supporting Exceptional Limousine.
The ETS International team is looking forward to building on the reputation of Exceptional Limousine by naming Eric Tonkonogy as Vice President of our new business. Eric and his team will continue to operate in the Milford location along with his staff.
What does this mean for the existing customers of Exceptional Limo?
- Exceptional Limousine’s management and staff will continue to service your account.
- Total fleet of 70 local vehicles which include hybrids, limousines, SUV Limousines, executive vans, mini coaches and full size coaches.
- Hours of operation are 24/7/365, staffed by a live team member
- Advanced confirmation procedures for all inbound airport reservations
- Proven national affiliate network in 650 cities internationally
- Meeting and Events Department
- Extensive and customizable reporting capabilities
- And much much more…
Johnny Greene,
CEO and President
ETS International
Eric Tonkonogy
Vice President
Exceptional Limousine
Logan airport in Boston is one of the busiest airports in the United States, and for good reason. European airlines use Logan airport as their destination gateway into the United States, so for many European travelers, Boston is the first impression they get of the United States of America.
As an owner of a limousine service in Boston, I know, all too well, the power of the first impression. My company, ETS International, has been providing car service to Logan airport for over two decades. Whether it's a client coming off a flight from Delta, Jet Blue or US Airways, the first person that greets the aforementioned business or vacation traveler can leave a lasting memory in their minds. One of the reasons I love what I do for a living is that my business allows me to create an experience for my clients that will set the tone for the entire trip. Being the first to greet the traveler and the last to see them to the airport in Boston makes what my company provides all that much more special.
When the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup last Fall, I was especially thrilled to be the company providing the Bruins team ground transportation and greeting them when they arrived at Logan airport as the Stanley Cup champs. You would be surprised the difference in a traveler's demeanor when they are picked up in a first-class, immaculate vehicle and a first-class, knowledgeable driver. When you provide a special traveler that extra touch of a ride to and from an airport, it tells your client or special someone that you went the extra mile to ensure the safest, best way of traveling.
As many of my customers have told me, sometimes the most memorable part of a person's journey, whether it be a night out, shopping excursion with friends or a business trip is the experience in the limousine or sedan itself. Take it from me: the difference between forging a relationship with a traveling client or not landing the business can be the experience the traveler has getting to where they have to go. If they are hit with frustration and unnecessary headaches getting to their destination, they might think twice about making that excursion again.
If the traveler is greeted by a driver who greets them after a long flight and avoids the painful added task of renting a vehicle or finding a cab to their hotel, the traveler is immediately put at ease and able to feel welcome immediately. Think about that the next time your important client or special someone connects at Logan airport or any airport in the world.
Read more about our airport services and recommended vehicles by clicking here.
Choose the Wrong Ground Transportation Company for Your Business, and You Could Get Taken for a Ride.
When you’re responsible for selecting a ground transportation service for your company, you want to be sure that your decision will solve problems, not create them. Day after day, you want to be able to say, “I made a good decision.”
Make a bad decision, and it’s your CEO arriving at the airport just in time to see his plane takeoff because the driver took “the scenic route.” Maybe it’s the VP of your biggest account being picked up in a limousine operated by a multi-lingual driver, none of which happens to be English. Or your out-of-town party of eight getting shoehorned into a car designed to comfortably fit a party of five.
Choosing the wrong ground transportation company to be your vendor can be a costly mistake, not just financially but also in terms of damaged client relationships and lost business. But there are steps you can take to make sure everything goes smoothly, whether it’s picking up and dropping off one person at an airport, or moving 50 people from a hotel to a downtown convention center. And it shouldn’t matter if it’s in your own city, or somewhere on the other side of the country.
Here are the steps you should take to assure you find the right ground transportation company to meet your needs. And once you do, you’ll establish a long-term business relationship you can count on.
1. The lowest price may not be the best price. Don’t automatically jump at the lowest price you are quoted. Cost shouldn’t always be the determining factor. Maybe the price is low for a reason. Maybe the cars are 5-10 years old. Maybe the driver isn’t an employee but someone’s uncle who is getting paid “under the table.” Maybe the “office” is a toll-free number that rings in someone’s kitchen. It’s important to do your homework. Find out if the price really is “too good to be true.”
2. Know the people you are doing business with. If at all possible, visit the office, see the operation, talk with the staff, and observe how the dispatcher interacts with the callers. And, of course, get references. Visit the website to see if testimonials and satisfaction surveys are posted.
3. Know the cars and the drivers. Find out about the safety records of the cars and how often they are maintained. Are they more than two years old, and if so, how much mileage is on them? Know how the company chooses its chauffeurs. What kind of a background check is done? Are they bonded? Is there a drug and alcohol-testing program in place? How long are they on a shift?
4. Can the company handle a job anywhere in the country? You shouldn’t have to take time making numerous calls to have your party depart in Boston and then be picked up in Denver. Instead of doubling your efforts by checking out two limousine companies, use a company with a strong affiliate network. That way, the carrier you choose to pick up your party here, will do all the necessary due diligence to make sure the company that meets your client there passes the same stringent background checks they undertake for their own drivers.
5. Does the company know the area? Since time is often a key factor when moving people around, it’s important to know that the driver is familiar with the layout of a city. This includes up-to-the-minute road conditions and peak traffic patterns. It’s equally important that the driver be familiar with airport layouts, particularly since 9/11 changed the pick-up and drop-off procedures in many of the terminals.
6. Can you reach the driver when you need to? Make sure you can easily reach a driver if there’s a problem, and that the call goes directly to a person at the company, not an answering service or, even worse, an answering machine. And make sure the company has access to real-time flight information provided directly by the FAA, so you can be alerted if there are scheduling problems with an arrival or departure.
7. And finally, check the final invoice carefully. When you receive your bill, check it over carefully. Make sure the prices quoted match the invoice. Mistakes can happen. By following these guidelines, the odds are very good you will have a satisfying experience with whatever limousine company you choose. But most important of all, you will have peace of mind.