Working with big groups doesn’t have to cause big problems
Being in the ground transportation business is not as simple as picking up an executive and taking them to a meeting. There are many factors involved in working with any client. When it comes to big groups all those factors get multiplied. Working with big groups doesn’t have to cause big problems if you know how to plan and execute well.
We recently had the privilege of working with the Boston Red Sox on the gala event surrounding the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park. Coordinating the pickup of 150 former Red Sox players, delivering them to the numerous hotels they were staying at, over to Fenway Park and then back. Add into the equation the fact that every player had a Red Sox representative shadowing them, and you could see the potential for a logistical nightmare. At one point we had over 60 vehicles in motion around the city at the same time—pretty much creating our own mini-rush hour.
Everything went like clockwork. Thanks in part to the Boston Red Sox, who are an incredibly organized corporation. Being able to see the big picture in advance helps eliminate any surprises.
Know Your Neighborhood: Network with your local convention board, visitors’ bureau and chamber of commerce. These folks know the comings and goings of almost everything in town. Knowing if a convention is coming gives you the jump on offering your services. Knowing that a road will be closed for emergency repairs allows you to adjust quickly so that none of your client services are interrupted. You will be able to learn about your neighborhood, join branches of organization and perhaps even make a presentation of an RFP for service. Who knows what a change you can make!
Make Friends: Make sure you offer what you can handle. It is essential to stay on top of your fleet at all times to know how many vehicles are not only on a job, but how many are ready and waiting just in case you need them. Network with other quality companies so that if you have to add a car at the last moment and are out of vehicles you can call a company with the same high standards as you.
Get a Good Agent: Travel agents know every detail of booking a trip. Big companies turn to good agents to secure their arrangements. You want to be the one that the agents turn to for the car service. Knowing the itinerary of your client in advance allows you to directly import the information into your ground transportation software. You will be ahead of the game by being one step ahead of the client.
Your networking creates the ability to exceed expectations.