ALLEN TOGWELL’S MARKETING PLACE

the applicants. Encouraging to witness the enthusiasm and desire to be member of Dial-a-Cab, a circuit they always believed to be the best but made more so of late by the sight of so many of our cabs ranked outside most of the big accounts. Also encouraging was hearing the desire to cover whatever work would be offered to them. What was sad, for me at least as I believe strongly in the value of loyalty, was the knowledge of the length of service that many of the applicants had given their respective circuits - in some instances as much as 35years - which illustrates exactly how disgruntled these guys really must be. Obviously it is not for me to comment on what’s being said about our competitors, except to say the forced change of allegiance over to DaC is without doubt proving to be our gain.
The cynical will see the enthusiastic comments as paying typical lip service but as we explain at the interview; all new applicants serve three months probationary periods and so far our records are showing that they are more than meeting their word. As a point of interest, not all of the applicants we interviewed were accepted, but fortunately they were in a very small minority. Also interesting was that we had one driver who actually stripped out barely weeks after joining, convinced that he would never learn how to use the system. That must rank as the quickest strip out that I’ve heard off and I guess proof that
radio work doesn’t appeal to everyone!

Annual Report
You should soon receive details concerning this year’s AGM, including a copy of the Annual Report. For the benefit of our newer members, I feel it prudent to mention that the Annual Report itself has for many years been produced totally in-house with myself being responsible for the design and originality. For those interested, the style of our report is usually influenced each year by the content of the Chairman’s statement to members including any emphasis the Chairman might make on a particular issue.
   This year, for example, the Chairman writes of growth and emphasises the point often and very eloquently throughout his address. So it is growth that I have used as this year’s theme, but growth in a different context - namely nature. Never the less, one that also requires the same effort, planning and nurturing to achieve a similar result.
   Unfortunately, with space being limited I was unable to show most of the beautiful graphics in their entirety, but I believe what little is shown still highlights a message and manages to add colour to what is usually considered aesthetically

Stress
Many of you would have seen the media report that driving a cab in London is the most stressful job of all. Whether that’s true or not is open to debate, but it is without doubt a stressful occupation and coupled with the fact that it involves working alone, in many cases long hours and within an insular environment, it is so easy at times to become preoccupied with issues that can become all-consuming, yet when analysed are totally irrelevant.
   I don’t wish to appear morose, particularly if you have yet to indulge in your Christmas festivities, but even so and with January a period traditionally for making new resolutions, I’d like to ask you to consider making a resolution to try and adopt a more open-minded attitude when driving your cab.
   Try sparing a thought occasionally for those less fortunate than yourselves. No disrespects to our Editor’s letters page, but what I read at times is typical of the dozens of calls I personally receive each month from drivers who I can only assume have never been exposed to any tragedy or sorrow in their lives. They should count their blessings. Both as a Board member and in my private life during this past year, I have heard of far too many stories, particularly amongst our subscribers, of grief caused by hardship, loss of a family member or serious illness. Grief, which pales into insignificance all the nonsense that we wrap ourselves up in during the course of our daily lives. Please think about it and may I wish all of you and your families a happy, prosperous and above all – a healthy new year.