financial manager's report |
The last time I wrote in Call Sign, I was criticised the following month by a DaC member for not confining my comments to the theme of 'what I did last month'. At the risk of causing the same reaction, I can say now that I have no intention of writing a 'what I did in the holidays' sort of article, it reminds me too much of primary school - besides which it might only stimulate further discussions as to why I did what I did! MERGERS / TAKE-OVERS We are experiencing major changes in various aspects of our traditional activities. The
latest of the big financial mergers is between SocGen and Paribas, two French banks which
according to the papers collectively employ 5,000 in London; job losses are forecast. This
joins a growing list including Bankers Trust / Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley / Dean Witter
and DLJ / Phoenix amongst our own customers. There are also changes mooted amongst the
larger legal firms and it all means challenges ahead for our industry. |
to their own changing circumstances with service levels and flexible products at the top of the list. AND WHAT IS THE ANSWER ? How should we at Dial-a-Cab react? Some say that we need to offer non-taxi vehicles,
additional services and to require drivers to cover all work offered. Others say the trade
must respond with tactics which I believe would only demonstrate the backwardness of some
sectors of this trade and confirm some customers' critical views. |
Other changes which are affecting us include the transition to a new internal accounting system which represents the conclusion of months of endeavour by numerous staff and suppliers. Bedding in takes time as does getting to grips with the changes from the previous system, but in due course it will offer significant commercial advantage and will streamline and simplify many internal. procedures. THE FUTURE OUTLOOK The general outlook for the coming few months seems to be for business to remain
largely unchanged. Despite the occasional speculation of mergers within the radio
circuits, a quick look at the structures of the organisations suggests such changes are
unlikely as well as difficult to accomplish. As Friendly Societies we and Radio Taxis
(London) would require the requisite approval of members to any proposals and far better
options exist for winning benefits than merging / take-over. Furthermore, any outsiders
looking to exploit opportunities in the ground transport business would almost certainly
opt to set up their own organisation rather than try to manage an existing radio circuit
where the members can simply walk away if they do not like what they see. Alastair Hill |
Is It Legal?Ever told your passengers about the legendary - but non-existent - "bale of
hay" Hackney Carriage act? This series will look at some of the different acts each
issue and ask you: Is it legal? Londons licensed cab drivers are answerable to some
37 Hackney Carriage Acts - some of which date back to the eighteenth century. |
window of your Hackney Carriage
"
in order to cause a![]() Spotted a dirty cab within the City of London recently? Well, it wouldnt be too surprising if you did, as you are not allowed to clean your cab on any public highway within the boundary of the City of London. Has anybody told Allen Togwell ? More next month |
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