LOGOS
It is nearly three months now since the introduction of our new door logo and I’m pleased to report that the design has been well received by our clients and members alike. To all the drivers that contacted me to say that they and members of their family liked the new design and took the trouble to convey the comments expressed by their passengers, I would like to say that it is extremely appreciated.
   In the past, when a new logo was introduced, it was acceptable to allow members to retain the old designs if they chose to. However, on this occasion the Board have decided that because there is a complete change in the design as opposed to a variation of the same theme, and in an attempt to create continuity, that all liveried cabs should carry the same design.

PAINTWORK PROBLEMS
On making this decision, it was suggested that some drivers may be concerned about the likely damage to their paintwork when removing the old door stickers. This fear was allayed when I reminded them of a proposition that was passed some years ago stipulating that in the event of damage being caused by the removal of a Dial-a-Cab door sticker, Dial-a-Cab would make new the damage at our cost. So Ladies and Gentlemen, if you are still carrying the old stickers, please go to Roman Way and have them replaced with the new logo. If while there, your door paint work is damaged by one of our staff, then we will repair that damage free of charge.
   Those of you that do not carry Dial-a-Cab logo’s at all, I would ask you to consider doing so because, apart from supporting your circuit and fellow drivers, several senior clients are indicating that future contractual agreements are to include a clause stipulating that only those cabs with the vendors livery will be eligible to service the account. I am aware that several drivers are opposed to carrying livery of any sort because they use the cab as a family vehicle, this being the case then our magnetic logo would solve that problem. They are extremely practical and easy to fit and remove. The downside, unfortunately, is that because the cost of these magnetics to Dial-a-Cab is now £28, they are a bit costly to give away free. However, as an incentive, we are prepared to sell a pair for £20. As a further incentive, we have also increased the door livery monthly draw for the next two months to £1000 each.

NEW TECHNOLOGY
As all of you would be aware by now, McKinsey have chosen a new vendor - Computer Cab. I won’t elaborate on why we lost it as this was explained by Keith in last months Call Sign, accept to reiterate on two points contained in his article; a) the using of outside consultants for negotiating purposes and b) having nothing new to offer.
   It is becoming increasingly common for companies to use outside consultants to negotiate tenders. Whilst this can be a disadvantage to the sitting vendor in that past performance levels, long service, loyalty, support service and costs are not always fully

recognized or appreciated, on the plus side it puts all companies tendering onto a level playing field.
   In an industry where the services of the three major suppliers vary very little and what ideas are created are quickly copied, whenever new technology is introduced it is necessary to capitalize on it immediately and forcibly. This past year, with the other two organisations exploiting the virtues of their heavily invested AVL systems to the hilt, it has given the impression that we are lagging behind and have nothing new to compete with.

METER INTERFACE
However, we will have something new very soon and when it is ready we will be equally as aggressive in exploiting it. At the moment however, all we can rely on is our service, which at the end of the day will always be the most senior factor. As I’ve said before; clients don’t give a damn how trips are dispatched, it can be done by carrier pigeon for all they care so long as there is a cab outside when they need it! Our service to McKinseys was second to none and one which we believe will not be bettered by any supplier. So why did AVL win the day?, well it wasn’t so much AVL but a small, yet very significant part of the same package; the Meter Interface. This has been a contentious area that many clients, including McKinseys, have complained about for a long time and for which no radio circuit - until this year - has had the solution. And the area in question is; relying on the driver to enter the correct fare. Virtually nowhere else in the world does an account client leave the cab without confirmation of the journey details and the exact fare, either in the form of a voucher or official receipt from the meter or data terminal. The Com Cab ability to offer a system whereby the fare is automatically entered into the data system at the end of the journey, we believe gave them the edge. Particularly as during negotiations, we had the misfortune of having one of our drivers mistakenly charge £50 for a £30 ride. Admittedly, this would have been corrected at the billing stage, but it was noticed by the McKinsey negotiators and commented on.
   The last two points I would like to make regarding McKinseys particularly to our newer members, is that we had had the account for very many years and for that we were very grateful. Secondly, on behalf of the BoM, I would like to thank all of you for your   professionalism and attitude when, on hearing the account was to close on May 1^st, you were prepared to give the same quality of service to McKinsey’s as you had in the past. This has not gone unnoticed by McKinseys and in fact they have asked us to keep the account number open after May 1st as a precaution.

I personally do not think it will be too long before we get them back, needless to say we will keep in touch on a regular basis to find out how their service is doing.

CREDIT SUISSE
In the meantime, we are not laying idle. Whilst our policy over the last few months has been to consolidate rather than expand, the loss of McKinsey needed to be replaced and we look like achieving this with Credit Suisse. Those of you that work on the Island (E14C) would have noticed the construction going up alongside 1 Cabot Square. This will be an extension to Credit Suisse and will accommodate an additional 2.500 staff. Obviously there is no single cab company in London that could service an account of this size and initially it was suggested we operate a taxi service similar to Goldman Sachs.
   However, on presenting our proposal there were several issues that conflicted with their present supplier and the GS idea was abandoned. Consequently we are negotiating a contract as an independent joint supplier. Three points are worth noting:

With several new major companies moving to Docklands and the demand for cabs increasing, there is a severe problem with parking. Keith and myself together with representatives from Com-Cab, have had meetings with the Docklands Management Committee who are responsible for security and parking to discuss the issue. We have surveyed the immediate area to the clients we are servicing and have put forward several proposals including the introduction of new ranks specifically for cabs waiting for account work and parking areas for cabs already booked. Obviously we will keep you all informed of any new developments. In the meantime, when working the Island, would you all please try your best to park sensibly when picking up or dropping off.

REAL TIME BOOKINGS VIA THE INTERNET
Since I last spoke about this project which will involve clients being able to book cabs ‘real time’ via the Web, considerable progress has been made and I am expecting to see some positive results before this article goes to print. Unfortunately, technology is something that cannot always be rushed, which for someone like me who is mega-impatient causes extreme frustration and is difficult to accept. When starting on this project and being assured what I was looking for could be achieved, I was hoping to have it in operation within a couple of months. It seems my expectations were somewhat ambitious! I mentioned earlier in this report about having nothing new. However, this will be new, very new - in fact it will be revolutionary. The first of its kind, not just in Europe but in the United States as well. Hence the reason I am keen to see it up a running as soon as possible.

Allen Togwell

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