If you speak to many Black Cab drivers here in London they are always quick to mention that times have been difficult and they are still finding the current climate a mission in finding work. It's this kind of honesty that I find endearing about London's Black Cab drivers and why I have a preference for this service over a Private Hire vehicle who calls itself a Taxi.
With a lengthy training process known as 'The Knowledge' (which can take up to 4 years to study), the rising cost of fuel and road costs, a decrease in public expenditure on luxuries and the prevalence of a still increasing Mini-cab industry, what future awaits the Black Cab of London?
Personally I much prefer a Black Cab service over a Private Hire vehicle or Minicab for so many reasons it would be coma-inducing to list them. My reasons fit into my idea of three key factors that, for me, make a good service.
+ BRAIN
+ HEART
+ MOUTH
Brain! For me, absolute knowledge of the industry one is working in is highly important. In service we must absolutely be able to trust the person, entity or business that provides us with information. It has to be right, which isn't to say that I'd expect the service point to known everything, but a redirection on how to get the information is perfectly acceptable and just as important.
The brain is also responsible for the analysis and efficiency of the service being given. Ensuring that the customer is understood and treated individually, making it seem like, at that specific moment, it is about them.
Heart is, in my honest opinion the most integral part of service. It's no good analysing and understanding your customer if what you do is just apply it to business. You have to apply it to the relationship as well and this is where 'heart' works with the brain. Every business transaction, encounter and interaction is a relationship. A heartfelt one is a service that leaves the customer wanting a 'second date', then come the regular meetings, the loyalty and support and a family. Most often, families can be expanded and grown to create bigger relationships. I've milked the metaphor but you get my point. Enjoying the service your giving and treating the customer with alot of love can strengthen, develop or change how the brain of the business works.
Mouth provides the Communication and the voice of the business and is essentially the key output of the service. Your ability to communicate your knowledge, care and attention and passion to the customer is a business' strongest weapon. Feedback from your customer will shape your service and streamline any difficult procrsses whilst helping you find the right way to give it heart. Interaction comes through effective communication and gives the customer something to remember with the service. Stepping into a cab and being driven somwhere is not the same as having a cab talk you through the route he/she will take, what the area is like and any landmarks that are significant en route. You're most likely to remember a service through personality, even if the execution of the serivce's purpose was perfect. People want people to look after them and it's that human injection that shapes any perfectly well run service.
This is why the Black Cab is a far superior service than any Private Hire company I've EVER used. My step-father runs a very well run Private Hire company filled with friendly drivers but STILL i will not be driven away from the Black Cab.
I won't deny there are perks to having a Private Hire vehicle come pick you up with costs sometimes being lower through negotiation and being able to pre-arrange the pick up is nice but it takes a well-run service to do these well, and most often than not, those who get a late pick-up wave a Black Cab down anyway.
With the service of the Black Cab a preference of mine but still holding an uncertain future, how can a Black Cab become stronger over it's overpowering competition?
Future! It's a simple word and rather generic but it's what should and could happen. I'm not talking amphibian taxis or flying cabs. I think that the cab, which is a choice of many a businessman, should be a portable hub for those who use one. Here's what I propose:
1. All cabs should be fitted with Wifi to enable those who get stuck in traffic during rush hour and endure longer journeys to be productive with their time. Perhaps even tuning a radio station in the back to be sync'd with your personal Spotify profile or Last.fm preference.
2. An iPod docking station and Jack terminal that has a separate sound system to the driver but can be interrupted by the on-board intercom for advice, communication with the driver and tourism information. Perhaps even with the Jack terminal last minute presentations can be recited and perfected.
3. On-board computer screen which displays the current GPS satellite system AGAINST the destination. No! It isn't satellite navigation but it is able to give the passenger a visualisation of their journey. This would give them a little more control and trust with the driver. Perhaps, if it's touchscreen, the passenger could circle exactly what part of the route is best avoided and where the ideal drop off point is.
I think these such points would make a useful service grow and become part of the dynamic, real-time technological world we live in. If these items started to become standard, more people would accept the extra cost of a Black Cab as opposed to relying on a taxi booking from the unreliable Minicab service of the Joe Bloggs and Emma Smiths of the taxi world.
For more information on Black Cabs see www.londonblackcabs.co.uk or to book one http://bit.ly/77fo2l
The Future is black!
With a lengthy training process known as 'The Knowledge' (which can take up to 4 years to study), the rising cost of fuel and road costs, a decrease in public expenditure on luxuries and the prevalence of a still increasing Mini-cab industry, what future awaits the Black Cab of London?
Personally I much prefer a Black Cab service over a Private Hire vehicle or Minicab for so many reasons it would be coma-inducing to list them. My reasons fit into my idea of three key factors that, for me, make a good service.
+ BRAIN
+ HEART
+ MOUTH
Brain! For me, absolute knowledge of the industry one is working in is highly important. In service we must absolutely be able to trust the person, entity or business that provides us with information. It has to be right, which isn't to say that I'd expect the service point to known everything, but a redirection on how to get the information is perfectly acceptable and just as important.
The brain is also responsible for the analysis and efficiency of the service being given. Ensuring that the customer is understood and treated individually, making it seem like, at that specific moment, it is about them.
Heart is, in my honest opinion the most integral part of service. It's no good analysing and understanding your customer if what you do is just apply it to business. You have to apply it to the relationship as well and this is where 'heart' works with the brain. Every business transaction, encounter and interaction is a relationship. A heartfelt one is a service that leaves the customer wanting a 'second date', then come the regular meetings, the loyalty and support and a family. Most often, families can be expanded and grown to create bigger relationships. I've milked the metaphor but you get my point. Enjoying the service your giving and treating the customer with alot of love can strengthen, develop or change how the brain of the business works.
Mouth provides the Communication and the voice of the business and is essentially the key output of the service. Your ability to communicate your knowledge, care and attention and passion to the customer is a business' strongest weapon. Feedback from your customer will shape your service and streamline any difficult procrsses whilst helping you find the right way to give it heart. Interaction comes through effective communication and gives the customer something to remember with the service. Stepping into a cab and being driven somwhere is not the same as having a cab talk you through the route he/she will take, what the area is like and any landmarks that are significant en route. You're most likely to remember a service through personality, even if the execution of the serivce's purpose was perfect. People want people to look after them and it's that human injection that shapes any perfectly well run service.
This is why the Black Cab is a far superior service than any Private Hire company I've EVER used. My step-father runs a very well run Private Hire company filled with friendly drivers but STILL i will not be driven away from the Black Cab.
I won't deny there are perks to having a Private Hire vehicle come pick you up with costs sometimes being lower through negotiation and being able to pre-arrange the pick up is nice but it takes a well-run service to do these well, and most often than not, those who get a late pick-up wave a Black Cab down anyway.
With the service of the Black Cab a preference of mine but still holding an uncertain future, how can a Black Cab become stronger over it's overpowering competition?
Future! It's a simple word and rather generic but it's what should and could happen. I'm not talking amphibian taxis or flying cabs. I think that the cab, which is a choice of many a businessman, should be a portable hub for those who use one. Here's what I propose:
1. All cabs should be fitted with Wifi to enable those who get stuck in traffic during rush hour and endure longer journeys to be productive with their time. Perhaps even tuning a radio station in the back to be sync'd with your personal Spotify profile or Last.fm preference.
2. An iPod docking station and Jack terminal that has a separate sound system to the driver but can be interrupted by the on-board intercom for advice, communication with the driver and tourism information. Perhaps even with the Jack terminal last minute presentations can be recited and perfected.
3. On-board computer screen which displays the current GPS satellite system AGAINST the destination. No! It isn't satellite navigation but it is able to give the passenger a visualisation of their journey. This would give them a little more control and trust with the driver. Perhaps, if it's touchscreen, the passenger could circle exactly what part of the route is best avoided and where the ideal drop off point is.
I think these such points would make a useful service grow and become part of the dynamic, real-time technological world we live in. If these items started to become standard, more people would accept the extra cost of a Black Cab as opposed to relying on a taxi booking from the unreliable Minicab service of the Joe Bloggs and Emma Smiths of the taxi world.
For more information on Black Cabs see www.londonblackcabs.co.uk or to book one http://bit.ly/77fo2l
The Future is black!
RSS Feed