Opportunistic Registration Definition -
Is the term applied to a company, which registers a name, which is the same as an existing name in which another person has goodwill; or if a name is so similar the public are unable to distinguish between one name and another.
Choosing the right company name is an important decision and can beneficial in a number of ways.
For marketing purposes having a company name containing the main keywords for your business products and services will assist search engines and help your listing's performance on Page One.
Your company name will then be connected to every business application from the internet, admin, accounting, advertising, marketing, licencing and registers etc etc.
Over time your business will hopefully grow and develop to become successful and achieve your aims.
Competitors will be constantly looking for opportunities to attract customers. Most will respect their revivals and adopt standard accepted practices to market their company.
However, occasionally a company will act in a way which is directly intended to negatively affect another company. This may be bad practice, at least, to illegal at most.
For larger companies protection appears to be easier. Being a registered limited company restricts others registering the same name. Having the funds of a larger company suggests easier access to legal advise and associated proceedings.
Larger companies, with higher disposable funds, can employ website builders to promote and market products and services and protect their clients company name and website prominence.
If, like me, you are a Sole Trader with no requirement to register as a limited company at Companies House, are you vulnerable to competitors copying your company name?
Using my theory to choose a good company name I called my business Southampton Chauffeur Hire. Search engine key words will attract the right customers. Southampton is biggest populated city in Hampshire with one of the busiest, if not, the busiest cruise port in the UK.
Trading since 2012 I established my company and gained the respect of local businesses and colleagues within the same service provider sector. During this time no other competitor used the words Southampton and Chauffeur in a company name. My company name of Southampton Chauffeur Hire remained distinctly separate from others in the area.
Keeping up to date with website performance and maintenance is paramount to keeping internet activity fresh, relevant and accurate. Indeed, a website that has laid dormant and untouched for months will be adversely affected.
Searching for competitors changing tactics for marketing can keep you prepared and ready to act, if needed.
During a routine search of the internet I found that my company name, Southampton Chauffeur Hire, had been registered as a limited company at Companies House.
A local competitor's details could be seen as the Director (according to the public records).
This other company was well established with it's own current company name and associated marketing.
As a Sole Trader I could not appeal to Companies House unless my company was registered as a limited company with a company name that conflicts.
Copyright does not appear to be applicable other than for content (websites, publications etc.).
To register a Trademark a company name can not contain a description of what the business does. Hence keywords are not accepted.
Intellectual Property is an area that could be explored.
Fortunately I received advise from Companies House that I may pursue a claim of Opportunistic Registration via The Company Names Tribunal, being a part of the Intellectual Property Office.
If the CNT upholds a complaint the Company Name Adjudicator may issue an order requiring the company in question to change it's name. If the company fails to comply by voluntarily changing it's name the Adjudicator may give notice to the Registrar of Companies to change the name of the company to the company number, so that it's name becomes it's number.
Going onto the Company Names Tribunal site will help with more information.
I considered I had a very strong irrefutable case. 7 years of trading with every aspect associated with Southampton Chauffeur Hire should be without risk of having my application rejected.
My first contact with the offending company was to send a strongly worded letter threatening legal action should the name remain unchanged. This was sent via Recorded Delivery and signed for. It was addressed to the registered address of the company using Southampton Chauffeur Hire. 15 working days was given for the appropriate action to be taken.
During the second working week I found that the company name had been voluntarily changed which negated the need for any further action.
I feel strongly that, should the warning letter be ignored, I would have been successful in winning a case at the Company Names Tribunal with all costs paid by the offending company.
My company identity is certainly stronger with a positive outcome and experience gained.
I hope my shared experience has been a help should other companies be affected in the same way.
Friday 28 June 2019
Saturday 24 February 2018
How To Choose A Wedding car - Southampton Chauffeur Hire
Executive Private Hire Wedding cars
Opearating Southampton Chauffeur Hire for 6 years has enabled me to offer advise and recommendations in all areas of wedding car transport.One of the benefits of offering an executive private hire chauffeur service is that executive private hire companies are employed for a variety of reasons which require them to adapt to the purpose of hire. From the 'bread & butter' airport run to providing V.I.P. and wedding transport.
Firstly, your wedding is one of the most important occasions in your life and everything must be perfect for the happy day. The wedding has been subject to planning and decision making over a period of many months or even longer. Wedding transport is merely one element or jigsaw piece that combine to make a successful and wonderful day.
So what makes a good wedding car service?
It is so so much more than driving from A to B.
What Should a Good Wedding Car Service Provide?
Immaculate car both inside and out. Dressing (bows and ribbons) as arranged.
A well presented chauffeur dressed in suit and tie with polished shoes.
Punctual, arriving prior to the leaving time and notifying the wedding party upon arrival.
The chauffeur must be courteous, polite, friendly and professional making the bride and accompanying passenger feel relaxed and reassured.
The transfer should be stress free, comfortable and with adequate time to allow for possible delay.
To deliver the bride to her wedding venue and at the correct entrance location.
After the wedding ceremony the chauffeur should meet and congratulate the newly-weds for their onward transfer to the wedding reception.
This is your first opportunity to spend time together before meeting guests at the reception venue.
Again, the transfer should be relaxed and stress free completing the wedding car hire upon arrival at the reception.
The memory of a good wedding service car should be included as a part of a happy and special day.
Selecting a Wedding Car Service
Lets start with a few bullet points and elaborate from there.Budget
Wedding car choice
Selecting suitable wedding car companies
Telephone and email
Making a decision and planning.
Finalising and confirming.
Budget
A high priority for most as weddings can be very expensive and cost can escalate.
How many cars?
Bridal car, bridesmaids' car and transport for friends and family guests.
A bridal car will be costed the same as a bridesmaids' car and more than wedding guests' cars unless different rated vehicles are chosen. It will become clearer later.
The advantage of having a budget is that you can make choices during the process as a result of information and advise obtained.
The Cheapest.
The most common wedding car hire is a single journey, dressed, bridal car from the collection address to the wedding venue.
Standard Wedding Car Hire.
Collection and transfer to the wedding venue, wait and then transfer of the newlyweds to their reception venue.
Reception Car.
Occasionally a wedding car is hired to collect after the reception (late evening to midnight) to their hotel.
Consider More Than One Company.
A company can supply the bridal car (Rolls or Bentley) while another will supply executive standard vehicles for family and friends.
Wedding Car Choice
A personal choice which can be affected by budget. From Rolls Royce and Bentley to executive standard vehicles to classic cars.
Research is key starting with the internet and personal recommendations.
Most websites will have photographs with a choice of vehicles. To assist try searching the internet for images to help with your choice.
The most expensive are Rolls Royce and Bentleys.
The next will be the classic car.
Executive standard wedding cars offer a good choice and range of prices.
Premium rate: Mercedes S Class, long wheelbase, is an ideal bridal car as it offers ample leg room for any bridal dress.
BMW Series 7 also has a long wheelbase model.
The mid range and cheaper: Mercedes E Class and BMW Series 5 are also good wedding cars and could be considered for bridesmaids and wedding guests.
A Mercedes V Class or Viano can seat up to 7 passengers and are ideally suited for bridesmaids and guests.
Audi and Jaguar also provide good quality vehicles.
Selecting Suitable Wedding Car Companies
Make a list of the companies that you have found that fit the brief. Now comes a very important part of your research.
What should you look for in a wedding car company?
1/ Website providing information and photos. A professional image containing recommendations and/or a recognised review sites such as Trust Pilot and TripAdvisor. The website should be the company's 'shop window' and portray professionalism and experience.
2/ Email and phone enquiry. An email can obtain advise, options and prices. A phone call is a 'must' as you are looking for a friendly, helpful and professional service.
3/ Offer a service that fits with your requirements supplying options and recommendations.
Don't sacrifice service for cost. It's worth spending a bit more rather than making do.
Telephone & Email
After selecting possible companies you will need to move to the next process.
A phone call to the company can help you judge from their professional attitude and friendly nature. This is where you will obtain a quote.
You want to make sure that you driver is more than someone who takes you from A - B.
Your driver is as important as your wedding car.
A follow-up email is recommended as this is a good way to record and retain quotes for future reference. Keeping notes and trying to remember individual companies may be otherwise challenging.
Making a Decision & Planning
After careful consideration you may be left with two or three companies. Budget may be your highest consideration and may lead to compromise in other areas. I would recommend making an allowance and spending that bit more to get the service you would really like. Making do for a cheaper option may be something you could regret in years to come.
Finalising & Confirming
You have made your choice and you should be happy that you are coming to the end of the process.
Your chosen wedding car company should lead you through this final process and offer advise and recommendations. All details should be finalised or identified for future clarification.
Normally, either a deposit or full payment will be required. It all depends upon when a booking is made compared to the wedding date.
Having paid either deposit or in full your wedding transport is confirmed.
Consider an executive wedding car for your honeymoon airport transfer.
An executive wedding car will make an ideal honeymoon car. Why not add to your honeymoon experience with a lovely car and driver taking you to and from the airport.
Advise & Recommendations
As a wedding car transport provider you are more than welcome to contact Southampton Chauffeur Hire for assistance.
How to be a Private Hire Driver - Upgrading to A Mercedes S Class
Upgrading to Mercedes S Class
As a Private Hire operator you will have aspirations and
goals which will affect your business decisions.
Business decisions and options will be made after careful
consideration and research. The wrong path may lead to a different outcome with
the resulting learning experience and financial repercussions.
Arguably the Mercedes S Class is the best and most luxurious Private
Hire chauffeur car. Rivals include BMW Series 7, Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ.
My personal choice at Southampton Chauffeur Hire is the Mercedes S Class and is the most popular
choice for the discerning customer. All the requirements that suit a
client who demands and expects the best.
A vehicle built to a high
specification and build quality.
Long wheel Base
Legroom and cabin space is a priority for top paying clients.
Move the front passenger seat forward to
allow more room and cabin area. Be aware that the rear alloy wheels, especially
the nearside, will be susceptible to damage as a driver has to adapt to accommodate a long wheel base car.
Don’t consider a vehicle which is not long
wheel base.
Bells & Whistles
Luxury comfort fittings make all the difference between the high and standard
cars.
Leather seats are the standard but adjustable electric
and heated seats of the S Class are for enhanced passenger comfort. For first
time passengers always point out seat adjustment to make their journey the most
comfortable.
A panoramic roof and rear blind can be optimised on a lovely
sunny day.
Air suspension will provide a smooth and enhanced ride.
Consequently a Mercedes S Class commands a high price and,
as a result, a higher rate charged to the customer.
Lower Volume but More Profit Per Transfer
Customers wanting and prepared to pay the higher S
Class rate are fewer than that of the standard rate and higher volume E Class and
equivalent car.
Generally a new operator will start with a cheaper and standard
car progressing to a higher capital outlay if income allows.
An S Class will therefore be an option for an established operator who has built up a good reliable
customer base over time and has the income to specialise in a market that has
less volume but more profit per transfer.
If you are thinking of starting as an
operator an S Class, or equivalent, is not advisable.
Level of Service
It
is not just a bigger and better car but the level of service must be at a
higher level.
All the basic requirements
of a standard car apply. Therefore car cleanliness, well-presented suited
driver and job preparation go without saying.
Many companies will select their
best drivers for S Class work. Driving ability, communication skills and
service delivery go hand in hand with the highest and most expensive tier of
Private Hire work.
Marketing
Your
website, advertising etc. will have to be adjusted to attract the S Class
customer. All other aspects of the service expected will also have to be
reflected in your marketing ‘shop window’.
Buying
How old
and how much? A question that can be subject to so many variables.
How long will you keep it?
How can you finance payment and eventual replacement?
These considerations will dictate what you can afford.
All cars depreciate and the first three years are the worst
levelling out to an acceptable level.
Unfortunately you will never have the
best and newest model but you will have an acceptable and affordable chauffeur
car. Expenditure of £25,000-£30,000 will be required with a replacement after
2-3 years depending upon mileage.
Upgrading the car, ultimately, will not be
affected by condition or mileage but with keeping up with the competition that
will have a newer model.
After 2-3 years your older model will start to look dated and fall out
of favour with CEOs and top executive who want, and will pay for, the best.
The Transition to S
Class Rates
Will your E Class customers automatically pay your S Class
rates? The easy answer is no.
A proportion of your customers will require an E
Class service and not wish to upgrade and pay more. The best way to address
this obvious problem is to discuss and negotiate. Be flexible and be prepared
to lose your customer if they are not prepared to pay more.
I have found that compromise
normally works with customers paying half-way towards the higher rate.
You can
always quote S Class rates to new customers. An alternative for new customers
is to offer two rates that include both S Class and E Class. Be prepared to
take the lower rate to ‘win’ the job.
Learn for your
experiences
Making mistakes is ok as long as you learn from them. It’s
all part of the process of building your company. Everyone makes mistakes and can
be a positive experience that progresses you along the right path. Consider
alternatives, be flexible and compromise.
I started with an E Class and upgraded to an S Class. A
successful but more business demanding choice. Adding a Viano to my previous E
Class did not work but was a valuable lesson which enabled me to learn and
adapt.
Southampton Chauffeur Hire website is an example of reflecting a Mercedes S Class service.
Sunday 26 June 2016
How To Be A Private Hire Driver. Southampton Chauffeur Hire - Four Years On
Introduction
Eureka! Mission accomplished!
I would say that after four years of trading I have achieved a sustainable repeat customer base being independent and self reliant.
Local recognition, within the chauffeur driven car hire section, as a provider here to stay.
Regular income has been used to maintain and invest in keeping the standard expected for chauffeur driven car hire.
Built and developed a strong business presence through website, social media and search engine optimisation. A website strategy to protect and maintain 1st Page search engine results.
Get your company name 'out there' and keep it there.
To have achieved a source of reliable and trustworthy colleagues for subcontracting purposes.
Most importantly, the knowledge and experience obtained has enabled me to move forward knowing the path I need to keep and the detours to avoid.
Knowledge and Experience
One of the most difficult aspects which, unfortunately, can only come in time.
There are no books and you will be lucky to find a generous sole trader or company who can mentor you.
I was very lucky as a colleague, from a previous job, who had set himself up as a sole trader, offered advise and work.
In the beginning work started to trickle in via the website together with customer recommendations to other providers.
Learn, build upon your experiences, be sensible with your finances and develop.
Vehicle choice and equipment.
Chauffeur driven car hire with executive standard cars is the equivalent to the highest standard of private hire. Prestige and status is associated with the vehicles you operate. Your discerning clients will be charged a higher rate and they expect the equivalent service. A Ford or Vauxhall, whatever the model, won't do. Mercedes, BMW and Audi are the expected pedigree.
The little things make a difference. Water is water but remember prestige and status so brand is important. Supply Evian not Tesco Value.
Records reflect your professional competency. Accurate and up to date spreadsheets and invoices are essential and minimises mistakes. Cross reference invoices and spreadsheets. Employ a good accountant and take advise. Submit your invoices for payment the same or next day and pay your colleagues their subcontracted fee quickly. If you pay your colleagues quickly they are more likely to work for you and you will have the reputation of being a good and trustworthy trader.
To subcontract or not to subcontract that is the question.
There is nothing wrong in either but both have positives and negatives. Some sole traders obtain all their work through subcontracting. Some are self sufficient and take work when it suits.
Subcontracted work means that you will get a reduced fee as commission is subtracted from the customer's fee. This can be 10-20%. Taking subcontracted work can mean you have a higher work load but with less profit for each job. You will be representing the company employing you and will not obtain customers for yourself other than repeat customers for your employer. You can not develop your own business identity if the majority of your work is given to you by other companies.
The up side to subcontracted work is that there is no effort or expense in getting work. All the expense and effort in advertising, website design and maintenance etc is from the job owner. The job is all set up and given to you to complete. A straight forward invoice and you get paid.
Unfortunately, through lack of experience, others will try and take advantage of your naivety. Don't accept a job unless you are happy. Phone call job offers are the worst for getting trapped into accepting a job that you are not sure about.
Some pointers to phone call offers -
If the first thing you are asked is 'Are you free on (a certain date). If you answer 'yes' then it will be difficult to turn down and make an excuse.
If they are vague with the pick-up and drop-off addresses. Most cities sprawl over large areas so the transfer distance could be 20 miles more than expected.
If times are not mentioned. A 03.30hrs collection time or getting to Gatwick on a Friday afternoon. Do you want to get up that early unless the pay is good. Travelling on the M25 at the wrong time can add hours to your journey.
The biggest omission I have come across is what the job is paying! This is common, not just in phone calls, but texts and emails. The amount of times I have had to throw in a final question 'How much is it paying?'
How should you react? Easier said than done but if you act politely and constructively you will be able to make an informed decision.
If you can not make a decision at the time of the call then don't make a decision. Take all the relevant details and call them back as soon as possible. The more experience you gain the quicker you can respond and less call-backs.
Ask for all the details to help you make a decision - Date, time, post codes, fee.
Be aware of the other considerations like expenses - parking, London Congestion Charge, traffic congestion on route, late night passengers affected by alcohol.
Don't be afraid to say 'No thank you'.
If you solely wish to take work from others then subcontracting is for you.
Subcontracted work to kick start you business.
If you wish to be self sufficient and independent then receiving subcontracted work is a great start. In the beginning you will be invisible to the public and other providers. Your website and social media pages will be in their infancy and it will take at least 6 months for your company identity to become established with your website reaching a healthy search engine page listing.
Take subcontracted work and learn the trade. A good sole trader is a valuable asset to other providers and recommendations will be passed resulting in more work.
Initially 80% of my work was given to me. The rest came from my own company name.
As time has gone by this has been reversed to 90% owning my own jobs.
The benefits of building your own corporate identity.
Having total responsibility of every part of your business is so rewarding with no one to answer to. It is so refreshing to be your own boss. Learn, adapt and develop.
Owning your own jobs means that you have 100% of the fee. You can set your fees based upon the service you supply. Customers can give you repeat business and add to your customer base to assist with a reliable income. You will be free to issue business cards and promote your business name in which ever way necessary.
I have aimed my services at the high end chauffeur driven car hire market. Work load is less but profit is higher per job. However, I need to keep my vehicles current and up to date. Higher fees demand the best service.
What do customers expect.
Good communications from initial enquiry to invoice submission. Quick and efficient response to quote requests whether by phone or email. Be helpful and offer advice, if needed. Cover all aspects of the hire so there is no ambiguity and the customer knows exactly the service that will be supplied.
Punctuality is appreciated by the customer. Don't be early and cause panic when you pull up outside the collection address. Of course, don't be late and cause concern as to whether you will be arriving. If you are late, through unforeseen circumstances, contact the customer to update them.
Your vehicle and your image. An immaculate vehicle inside and out impresses and is expected. The same goes for your appearance.
The transfer will be critical as a smooth, relaxed journey delivering your customer on time will be noted and appreciated. Be mindful of your customer's wish for conversation. Learn when to speak and when to keep quiet.
I.T. and it's importance for your company identity and presence in the market place.
Company identity starts with a name. The name you create will be critical in attracting your targeted customers and being relevant and marketable. I would suggest that your choice of website domain name has your highest priority. I could complete a separate blog upon this one subject and would highly recommend that you research and learn about domain names and search engine optimisation.
Your chosen company name will then be replicated and registered thoughout the required authority and commercial sites.
Having a successful business name attracting prospective customers and its resulting income can make your own company identity an attractive target for other providers.
Protect your company name and identity. One way is to buy similar domain names to stop others imitating you and drawing customers to another website. I bought 20 similar domain names. For example if you sell fruit and mainly supply apples and oranges and own www.fruit.co.uk then also buy www.apples.co.uk and www.oranges.co.uk. Consider the other .com etc.
I hope that I have assisted with aspects which I consider very important for a starting and developing successful private hire business. These are my experiences and governed by my own personal circumstances and background. I am not motivated to grow and develop a fleet of vehicles and employ drivers so my blogs are purely for the sole trader.
Good luck
Southampton Chauffeur Hire and Southampton Cruise Tours supply a high quality service using Mercedes S & E Class and Viano vehicles.
Eureka! Mission accomplished!
I would say that after four years of trading I have achieved a sustainable repeat customer base being independent and self reliant.
Local recognition, within the chauffeur driven car hire section, as a provider here to stay.
Regular income has been used to maintain and invest in keeping the standard expected for chauffeur driven car hire.
Built and developed a strong business presence through website, social media and search engine optimisation. A website strategy to protect and maintain 1st Page search engine results.
Get your company name 'out there' and keep it there.
To have achieved a source of reliable and trustworthy colleagues for subcontracting purposes.
Most importantly, the knowledge and experience obtained has enabled me to move forward knowing the path I need to keep and the detours to avoid.
Knowledge and Experience
One of the most difficult aspects which, unfortunately, can only come in time.
There are no books and you will be lucky to find a generous sole trader or company who can mentor you.
I was very lucky as a colleague, from a previous job, who had set himself up as a sole trader, offered advise and work.
In the beginning work started to trickle in via the website together with customer recommendations to other providers.
Learn, build upon your experiences, be sensible with your finances and develop.
Vehicle choice and equipment.
Chauffeur driven car hire with executive standard cars is the equivalent to the highest standard of private hire. Prestige and status is associated with the vehicles you operate. Your discerning clients will be charged a higher rate and they expect the equivalent service. A Ford or Vauxhall, whatever the model, won't do. Mercedes, BMW and Audi are the expected pedigree.
The little things make a difference. Water is water but remember prestige and status so brand is important. Supply Evian not Tesco Value.
Records reflect your professional competency. Accurate and up to date spreadsheets and invoices are essential and minimises mistakes. Cross reference invoices and spreadsheets. Employ a good accountant and take advise. Submit your invoices for payment the same or next day and pay your colleagues their subcontracted fee quickly. If you pay your colleagues quickly they are more likely to work for you and you will have the reputation of being a good and trustworthy trader.
To subcontract or not to subcontract that is the question.
There is nothing wrong in either but both have positives and negatives. Some sole traders obtain all their work through subcontracting. Some are self sufficient and take work when it suits.
Subcontracted work means that you will get a reduced fee as commission is subtracted from the customer's fee. This can be 10-20%. Taking subcontracted work can mean you have a higher work load but with less profit for each job. You will be representing the company employing you and will not obtain customers for yourself other than repeat customers for your employer. You can not develop your own business identity if the majority of your work is given to you by other companies.
The up side to subcontracted work is that there is no effort or expense in getting work. All the expense and effort in advertising, website design and maintenance etc is from the job owner. The job is all set up and given to you to complete. A straight forward invoice and you get paid.
Unfortunately, through lack of experience, others will try and take advantage of your naivety. Don't accept a job unless you are happy. Phone call job offers are the worst for getting trapped into accepting a job that you are not sure about.
Some pointers to phone call offers -
If the first thing you are asked is 'Are you free on (a certain date). If you answer 'yes' then it will be difficult to turn down and make an excuse.
If they are vague with the pick-up and drop-off addresses. Most cities sprawl over large areas so the transfer distance could be 20 miles more than expected.
If times are not mentioned. A 03.30hrs collection time or getting to Gatwick on a Friday afternoon. Do you want to get up that early unless the pay is good. Travelling on the M25 at the wrong time can add hours to your journey.
The biggest omission I have come across is what the job is paying! This is common, not just in phone calls, but texts and emails. The amount of times I have had to throw in a final question 'How much is it paying?'
How should you react? Easier said than done but if you act politely and constructively you will be able to make an informed decision.
If you can not make a decision at the time of the call then don't make a decision. Take all the relevant details and call them back as soon as possible. The more experience you gain the quicker you can respond and less call-backs.
Ask for all the details to help you make a decision - Date, time, post codes, fee.
Be aware of the other considerations like expenses - parking, London Congestion Charge, traffic congestion on route, late night passengers affected by alcohol.
Don't be afraid to say 'No thank you'.
If you solely wish to take work from others then subcontracting is for you.
Subcontracted work to kick start you business.
If you wish to be self sufficient and independent then receiving subcontracted work is a great start. In the beginning you will be invisible to the public and other providers. Your website and social media pages will be in their infancy and it will take at least 6 months for your company identity to become established with your website reaching a healthy search engine page listing.
Take subcontracted work and learn the trade. A good sole trader is a valuable asset to other providers and recommendations will be passed resulting in more work.
Initially 80% of my work was given to me. The rest came from my own company name.
As time has gone by this has been reversed to 90% owning my own jobs.
The benefits of building your own corporate identity.
Having total responsibility of every part of your business is so rewarding with no one to answer to. It is so refreshing to be your own boss. Learn, adapt and develop.
Owning your own jobs means that you have 100% of the fee. You can set your fees based upon the service you supply. Customers can give you repeat business and add to your customer base to assist with a reliable income. You will be free to issue business cards and promote your business name in which ever way necessary.
I have aimed my services at the high end chauffeur driven car hire market. Work load is less but profit is higher per job. However, I need to keep my vehicles current and up to date. Higher fees demand the best service.
What do customers expect.
Good communications from initial enquiry to invoice submission. Quick and efficient response to quote requests whether by phone or email. Be helpful and offer advice, if needed. Cover all aspects of the hire so there is no ambiguity and the customer knows exactly the service that will be supplied.
Punctuality is appreciated by the customer. Don't be early and cause panic when you pull up outside the collection address. Of course, don't be late and cause concern as to whether you will be arriving. If you are late, through unforeseen circumstances, contact the customer to update them.
Your vehicle and your image. An immaculate vehicle inside and out impresses and is expected. The same goes for your appearance.
The transfer will be critical as a smooth, relaxed journey delivering your customer on time will be noted and appreciated. Be mindful of your customer's wish for conversation. Learn when to speak and when to keep quiet.
I.T. and it's importance for your company identity and presence in the market place.
Company identity starts with a name. The name you create will be critical in attracting your targeted customers and being relevant and marketable. I would suggest that your choice of website domain name has your highest priority. I could complete a separate blog upon this one subject and would highly recommend that you research and learn about domain names and search engine optimisation.
Your chosen company name will then be replicated and registered thoughout the required authority and commercial sites.
Having a successful business name attracting prospective customers and its resulting income can make your own company identity an attractive target for other providers.
Protect your company name and identity. One way is to buy similar domain names to stop others imitating you and drawing customers to another website. I bought 20 similar domain names. For example if you sell fruit and mainly supply apples and oranges and own www.fruit.co.uk then also buy www.apples.co.uk and www.oranges.co.uk. Consider the other .com etc.
I hope that I have assisted with aspects which I consider very important for a starting and developing successful private hire business. These are my experiences and governed by my own personal circumstances and background. I am not motivated to grow and develop a fleet of vehicles and employ drivers so my blogs are purely for the sole trader.
Good luck
Southampton Chauffeur Hire and Southampton Cruise Tours supply a high quality service using Mercedes S & E Class and Viano vehicles.
Saturday 18 June 2016
How To Be A Private Hire Driver - Avoiding Road Rage
Introduction
Road rage is a product of several factors including higher volumes of traffic, road works and more people commuting by car due to an expensive and sometimes unreliable public transport system.
By identifying the signs of potential road rage and adjusting your driving plans you can drastically reduce your chances in becoming involved in a road rage incident.
As a professional driver, carrying a client, you must supply a comfortable, stress free, expeditious journey. Will your client be aware of what has led to an incident or will he/she just see the resulting behaviour.
The recipe for Road Rage
All drivers have experienced road rage to varying degrees from slight annoyance to frustration and anger.
From motorway and city driving to A roads and winding country lanes. They all have potential for road rage.
Frustrated and stressed drivers can make poor driving decisions in an attempt to make progress. Inexperienced drivers exceed their capability. Some drivers drive too slow and queues form behind them. Lane hogging and tail gating. Driving too close in poor driving conditions. Undertaking, cutting in front, moving into the space left as a safe following distance. The list could go on and on.
Muttering and mouthing expletives, horn sounding, accompanied by hand gestures are just some of some driver's reactions.
The vast majority of incidents are not reported and put down to experience as not something the police would, or are able, to investigate.
High profile cases such as the recent case of 79 year old Donald Lock, a cyclist, who was stabbed to death by Matthew Daly, a mentally ill driver. 1996 when Kenneth Noye murdered another driver after a road rage incident on the M25.
These serious incidents are rare and should be considered in context compared to the thousands and thousands of vehicle journeys in the UK.
Driving Plans
Time - Allow plenty of time for your journey and make recommendations for a collection time.
Route - Use Google Maps to plan your route and look at the alternatives. Try and anticipate the variables that will affect journey time.
Research - Date and time of travel. There may be an event that will affect progress or access.
Your Driving Skills
Observation, hazard perception and anticipation are the key words to a good driving standard. Your driving skill is such a large part of the service you provide and avoiding road rage incidents is critical.
I can not identify all potential scenarios as there are too many. A good driver is aware of their surroundings. Driving plans that others make may also affect you. A good example is on the motorway approaching a junction 'on slip' which is used as an acceleration lane/s for traffic joining. Yes, you are entitled to use lane 1 (adjacent to the hard shoulder). However, by not using lane 2 or 3 you may come into conflict with joining traffic.
Your Reaction to Bad Driving
Don't react negatively and draw attention to yourself.
It is always better that the bad driver is ahead rather than behind.
Perception is all
Perception is based upon an individual's experience, attitudes and standards. A perception may not be accurate and correct resulting in conflict with another driver.
Negative reaction may be taken personally and the other driver may direct their attention at you. This may develop into a Road Rage incident and result in an upsetting and stressful event. You don't know what the other driver is capable and he may be the Kenneth Noye or Matthew Daly type!
Right or wrong - You may be in the right but will the 'bad driver' have that opinion? Or would he/she care?
My aim is always to have a stress free journey and to avoid any potential road rage incident.
Reporting to the Police and What They Require
The Police will consider various crucial aspects of your complaint. Some of which I have included.
All police forces have policies and procedures which are affected by several factors and most importantly budgets.
All investigated complaints are investigated according to the severity of the case and with more than a 50% chance of a successful prosecution. For example, a minor damage hit & run car park accident will not result in paint samples being analysed. For a criminal prosecution it is 'beyond all reasonable doubt'. This compares to a civil case where it is 'a balance of probabilities.'
Generally, the Police will not investigate if there are no other witnesses, or available reasonable lines of enquiry, because it will be your account against the other driver's.
Evidence, evidence, evidence. Without evidence the Police are powerless to investigate or come to any acceptable resolution.
Witnesses - Can corroborate your evidence. A passenger in your car will be taken into account but would not be considered unbiased or independent. An independent witness is the best witness as they have nothing to gain by offering their account of the incident.
If you can't get names and addresses then record registration numbers for police to contact the DVLA keepers.
CCTV - With council budgets being cut and some systems being shut down CCTV evidence may be less available. The Police can obtain available evidence from councils and motorway camera systems.
Dash Cams - Valuable evidence which can corroborate your account. Also good for any insurance claim. Recordings may identify the vehicle subject to the complaint and supply witness car registrations.
Avoid Road Rage for a Stress Free Journey
I believe in Karma (cause and effect) and 'what goes around comes around'. A bad driver who continually draws attention to themselves will eventually get there 'comeuppance' whether by a legal document from the Police or attract the attention of a driver who will react inappropriately.
Deliver your client to their destination having had a relaxed and comfortable journey. You will be relaxed and happy too.
Southampton Chauffeur Hire provides Mercedes S & E Class and Mercedes Viano executive vehicles for chauffeur driven car hire.
Southampton Cruise Tours is operated with Southampton Chauffeur Hire and provides executive standard tours and transfers.
Road rage is a product of several factors including higher volumes of traffic, road works and more people commuting by car due to an expensive and sometimes unreliable public transport system.
By identifying the signs of potential road rage and adjusting your driving plans you can drastically reduce your chances in becoming involved in a road rage incident.
As a professional driver, carrying a client, you must supply a comfortable, stress free, expeditious journey. Will your client be aware of what has led to an incident or will he/she just see the resulting behaviour.
The recipe for Road Rage
All drivers have experienced road rage to varying degrees from slight annoyance to frustration and anger.
From motorway and city driving to A roads and winding country lanes. They all have potential for road rage.
Frustrated and stressed drivers can make poor driving decisions in an attempt to make progress. Inexperienced drivers exceed their capability. Some drivers drive too slow and queues form behind them. Lane hogging and tail gating. Driving too close in poor driving conditions. Undertaking, cutting in front, moving into the space left as a safe following distance. The list could go on and on.
Muttering and mouthing expletives, horn sounding, accompanied by hand gestures are just some of some driver's reactions.
The vast majority of incidents are not reported and put down to experience as not something the police would, or are able, to investigate.
High profile cases such as the recent case of 79 year old Donald Lock, a cyclist, who was stabbed to death by Matthew Daly, a mentally ill driver. 1996 when Kenneth Noye murdered another driver after a road rage incident on the M25.
These serious incidents are rare and should be considered in context compared to the thousands and thousands of vehicle journeys in the UK.
Driving Plans
Time - Allow plenty of time for your journey and make recommendations for a collection time.
Route - Use Google Maps to plan your route and look at the alternatives. Try and anticipate the variables that will affect journey time.
Research - Date and time of travel. There may be an event that will affect progress or access.
Your Driving Skills
Observation, hazard perception and anticipation are the key words to a good driving standard. Your driving skill is such a large part of the service you provide and avoiding road rage incidents is critical.
I can not identify all potential scenarios as there are too many. A good driver is aware of their surroundings. Driving plans that others make may also affect you. A good example is on the motorway approaching a junction 'on slip' which is used as an acceleration lane/s for traffic joining. Yes, you are entitled to use lane 1 (adjacent to the hard shoulder). However, by not using lane 2 or 3 you may come into conflict with joining traffic.
Your Reaction to Bad Driving
Don't react negatively and draw attention to yourself.
It is always better that the bad driver is ahead rather than behind.
Perception is all
Perception is based upon an individual's experience, attitudes and standards. A perception may not be accurate and correct resulting in conflict with another driver.
Negative reaction may be taken personally and the other driver may direct their attention at you. This may develop into a Road Rage incident and result in an upsetting and stressful event. You don't know what the other driver is capable and he may be the Kenneth Noye or Matthew Daly type!
Right or wrong - You may be in the right but will the 'bad driver' have that opinion? Or would he/she care?
My aim is always to have a stress free journey and to avoid any potential road rage incident.
Reporting to the Police and What They Require
The Police will consider various crucial aspects of your complaint. Some of which I have included.
All police forces have policies and procedures which are affected by several factors and most importantly budgets.
All investigated complaints are investigated according to the severity of the case and with more than a 50% chance of a successful prosecution. For example, a minor damage hit & run car park accident will not result in paint samples being analysed. For a criminal prosecution it is 'beyond all reasonable doubt'. This compares to a civil case where it is 'a balance of probabilities.'
Generally, the Police will not investigate if there are no other witnesses, or available reasonable lines of enquiry, because it will be your account against the other driver's.
Evidence, evidence, evidence. Without evidence the Police are powerless to investigate or come to any acceptable resolution.
Witnesses - Can corroborate your evidence. A passenger in your car will be taken into account but would not be considered unbiased or independent. An independent witness is the best witness as they have nothing to gain by offering their account of the incident.
If you can't get names and addresses then record registration numbers for police to contact the DVLA keepers.
CCTV - With council budgets being cut and some systems being shut down CCTV evidence may be less available. The Police can obtain available evidence from councils and motorway camera systems.
Dash Cams - Valuable evidence which can corroborate your account. Also good for any insurance claim. Recordings may identify the vehicle subject to the complaint and supply witness car registrations.
Avoid Road Rage for a Stress Free Journey
I believe in Karma (cause and effect) and 'what goes around comes around'. A bad driver who continually draws attention to themselves will eventually get there 'comeuppance' whether by a legal document from the Police or attract the attention of a driver who will react inappropriately.
Deliver your client to their destination having had a relaxed and comfortable journey. You will be relaxed and happy too.
Southampton Chauffeur Hire provides Mercedes S & E Class and Mercedes Viano executive vehicles for chauffeur driven car hire.
Southampton Cruise Tours is operated with Southampton Chauffeur Hire and provides executive standard tours and transfers.
Saturday 19 December 2015
Tuesday 24 November 2015
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