Call Sign December 2002 - Page 13 - Lydia's End

How time flies they say, and nothing could be more true! Whilst in the back of the taxi with my colleague Caroline McGowan, neither of us could quite believe that it is a year ago since I joined DaC. Apart from the fact it has been one of our most challenging trading years, it certainly has been a colourful one.
Whilst I've tried to concentrate my efforts on purely new business, my role has developed to work much closer with the Customer Services team and becoming involved in house accounts and tenders. The one criterion I have learnt is that our customers really only want to know that their cab will be there when it has been ordered. We are indeed fortunate that our clients also recognise the importance of Management Information. DaCport is now leaving our counterparts at the starting line by encompassing Reports and On-line Booking functions under one umbrella. We are armed with the means to continue winning accounts from our competitors.
From a sales perspective, it is

LYDIA'S END-OF-YEAR SALES EXTRA

very exciting to be in business today. As we continue to impress all our customers, we have such great strength within a highly competitive market place.
During this year there have been outside factors affecting our business such as tube strikes, which having never experienced before, I saw at first hand. I was very impressed with the way Dial-a-Cab rose to the challenge and how the team came together under extreme pressure. As new ventures have begun, there has been a massive learning curve, but we have remained 'Customer Led' which is the key to our continued success.
We are all working harder than we have ever worked to reap the

same rewards. It is paramount that we keep in mind that we all have a part to play in the maintaining of our business - from the time the phone call is taken, to the time our customer is at their destination. Inevitably, next year will bring further challenges. It certainly would not be 'life' if we knew what was around the corner!
I would ask that we continue to keep an open mind on any new ventures that we undertake and to always do our best in every situation. Let us change the things we can improve and impact on our futures positively. Our culture is such, that we take ownership of our success. Let's continue to do just that....
May I take the opportunity to thank the drivers who have kept our customers happy and the team here at Dial-a-Cab for the unlimited support I have had. I look forward to more successes in 2003. In the meantime, may I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday period.

Lydia Foulkes
DaC Sales Manager

M&O NOW HAVE THREE CABS
WITH NEW TERMINALS
Mann & Overton now have three taxis fitted to their fleet of Dial-a-Cab courtesy cabs complete with new terminals.
   DaC drivers attending the Holloway Road dealership for servicing or overhauls, have the chance of a free DaC-fitted TX1 while their own vehicle is being worked on.
   Speaking to Call Sign, Mike Saunders, General Service Manager at M&O told us:
   "With the co-operation of the DaC Board who have made available the radio equipment, we are delighted to provide this facility for our Dial-a-Cab customers. It allows drivers to continue servicing account clients while their own cab is here, so everybody wins!
   I would remind everyone though, that these courtesy cabs are on a strictly 'first come, first served' basis, so please book early."
You can contact the M&O Service Dept. on 020 7700 0888...

BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON
The Story Of The Jews Of Iraq

A new exhibition was opened at the Jewish Museum, Camden Town last month by the BBC Director of Drama, Alan Yentob, which looks at the remarkable roots and heritage of the Iraqi Jewish community going back to their exile to Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzer almost 2500 years ago.
For almost 1000 years, Babylon was the religious, cultural and scholarly centre of the Jewish world and was the birthplace of the Babylonian Talmud.
The exhibition evokes the daily life and traditions of that far-gone community, their culture, cuisine, even their distinctive music and the recreation of an original Baghdad street. It gradually builds towards the modern day Iraq, including the final tragic chapter that brought an

end to one of the world's oldest Jewish communities. There are also accounts by those Jews who escaped from the country to make new lives in other countries, including the UK.
The exhibition is open until 6 April 2003 and also features on various days, additional talks, cookery demonstrations from the period and children's workshops on themes ranging from magic carpets to puppets, mosaic and music. Phone the museum for details...
The Jewish Museum: 129 - 131 Albert Street, London NW1
Telephone for information (or group bookings): 020 7284 1997
Open Mon - Thurs 10am - 4pm and Sunday 10am - 5pm