Page 27
Call Sign February 2012
IF YOU DON'T DRIVE YOUR BUSINESS...
DaC Sales Exec Natalie Ezekiel with a Call Sign update...
Your Business Will Drive You Out!
ago and all is going well there. I have not yet
year, although not as many as we would like,
heard from the other companies to-date, how-
but we are still obtaining new business - albeit
ever, I am optimistic that there will be news in
on a lower level and as this is at a time when
the near future as after completing the first and
companies are counting the pennies, we must
second stage questionnaires, two of the com-
be grateful for any new business.
panies had invited us back to give a final pre-
Since August last year, I have expressed inter-
sentation.Attending the presentations with me
est with several large companies who were
was Brian Rice and IT Manager, John Bankes.
looking to change their current supplier and
Although last year was a difficult one and
going out to Tender. I must add that Tenders do
this year could even be harder, we must always
not just apply to new businesses, but to exist-
remember that Service is the key to our busi-
ing accounts as well. One of the Tenders sub-
When selling our business at Dial-a-Cab,
ness at a Cost to our clients. It can takes months
mitted was to an existing client and I am happy
there are several points that a prospective
- even a years - to win business, but it only takes
to announce that we have retained the busi-
client will ask about, but there are always two
one mistake to lose an account.
ness.The Tender process is quite a lengthy one
main questions: Service and cost.
Driving is your business; don't drive business
and can take up to six months from submitting
I know that you would all like to hear about
out!
the questionnaire to being awarded the
the `new big account' that we have been award-
I would like to end by wishing you all a
account.
ed, or how many new accounts DaC have
belated happy and healthy New Year.
While on the subject of new business, I am
opened recently in addition to the many other
Crackdown on dangerous pedicabs
also happy to confirm that after many phone
questions I'm often asked by drivers - especial-
Natalie Ezekiel
calls, emails and letter writing, we recovered an
ly when I am travelling in one of our taxis.
DaC Sales
account in EC1 that we had lost several years
Many accounts are opened throughout the
Does this count as riding
on the footway or
obstructing it?
warning. Nineteen riders were issued with a fixed penalty
notice for various offences.
Mayor Johnson said: "Unregulated rickshaw riders who block
the streets and ride recklessly through the West End in unroad-
worthy vehicles pose a real danger both to passengers and to
other road users. We are sending out a clear message that this
will not be tolerated and we are taking firm action to ensure
we keep Londoners and visitors safe."
Sgt Christian Ardron, leading the operation on behalf of West
According to Boris Johnson's office, the Mayor has designat-
End and Chinatown Safer Neighbourhoods Team added: "We
ed a new get-tough approach to pedicabs in central London,
work with many pedicab operators who operate safely within
which is said to include a public awareness campaign
the West End; this operation is all about tackling those riders
informing the public of the potential risks of travelling in
who are flouting the rules and as a result are a danger to them-
pedicabs, together with a programme of increased police
selves, their passengers and other road users."
enforcement designed to tackle dangerous pedicab riders
who obstruct highways and ride recklessly.
Keith Reading
The announcement follows a new and highly successful
enforcement initiative during the autumn, which formed part
Professional Toastmaster
of a joint safety crackdown organised by TfL, the
Master of Ceremonies
Metropolitan Police and Westminster Council. The night-time
operations ran in the West End through October, November
Tele: 01279 465 938
and December and involved police officers taking actions
Mobile: 07774 860 374
against pedicab riders who were endangering themselves or
Email: kgr.2@virgin.net
others with their behaviour. That included obstruction of the
footway, riding in an inconsiderate or reckless manner,
10% discount for DaC drivers and staff
cycling on the footway, causing congestion or riding pedi-
cabs which were unsafe, dangerous or unroadworthy.
Fellow of the Guild of
Professional Toastmasters
As well as 35 arrests, 35 pedicabs have been impounded
while a further 198 pedicab riders were issued with a formal
