I've just read an interesting article about small businesses requiring full account management over web-based solutions being offered by the large corporates. As we deal with many of these large Funding companies on the behalf of our clients, we have yet to find an offering that replaces good, old fashioned, independent advice and assistance. In fact the quotes from the article come from one of our funding partners- Network Vehicles.
This makes a whole lot of sense, just like any product or service from web-design to PR, IT to Telecoms the average business owner places the order with the people who help take their problems away. The phone will always have a place with us (as will meetings) - do you think you could procure for your business purely online?
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Watchdog for Leasing Brokers!
Well the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) are finally putting a working group together to focus on the leasing broker market in the UK. It seems anyone can set up as a 'bedroom broker' and a fancy website alongside some 'deals of the month' can hide the (sometimes) unscrupulous operators behind them.
There are some great brokers out there who provide excellent service and the best deals to boot, it is those that will also value the importance of increasing standards, efficiency and movement away from the 'Deal of the Month' market currently taking the industry by storm.
We can't wait to hear the end of:
"Delivery next week sir, not a problem...... just sign here"
"Well the price you saw excluded metallic paint, delivery, floor mats and a £200 documentation fee"
Remember if it sounds too good to be true it probably is... our BVRLA accreditation means we won't play those games!
We see ourselves as fleet providers, shopping the market for our clients to save them time & money. Effectively outsourcing the headache of fleet away from their core business - no matter how many vehicles they run!
There are some great brokers out there who provide excellent service and the best deals to boot, it is those that will also value the importance of increasing standards, efficiency and movement away from the 'Deal of the Month' market currently taking the industry by storm.
We can't wait to hear the end of:
"Delivery next week sir, not a problem...... just sign here"
"Well the price you saw excluded metallic paint, delivery, floor mats and a £200 documentation fee"
Remember if it sounds too good to be true it probably is... our BVRLA accreditation means we won't play those games!
We see ourselves as fleet providers, shopping the market for our clients to save them time & money. Effectively outsourcing the headache of fleet away from their core business - no matter how many vehicles they run!
Monday, 13 August 2007
The Real Cost of Your New Cars
Yet again Anthony K Associates are coming up trumps with insider knowledge!! We have been sent an electronic version of The Cost, a motoring guideline aimed towards Fleet Managers.
Now you too can compare the impact of CO2 Emmissions, Benefit In Kind and P11d values on the cost of your businesses new vehicles. You may find there are more things to consider than just the monthly rental!!!!
Click Here to see the guide... (only those serious about facts and figures need apply!!!!)
Now you too can compare the impact of CO2 Emmissions, Benefit In Kind and P11d values on the cost of your businesses new vehicles. You may find there are more things to consider than just the monthly rental!!!!
Click Here to see the guide... (only those serious about facts and figures need apply!!!!)
Monday, 30 July 2007
Small gestures, big difference!
In order to enhance the level of service enjoyed by our clients we have been trialling supplying mats free of charge with every order!! The feedback has been fantastic.
For the forseeable future all of our new orders with have a set of car mats arrive on the same day of delivery.
In addition to this each car now also has a 'no-smoking sticker' sent out with it in order to comply with the law and this means yet another issue is taken away from our clients so they can focus firmly on what their core business.
For the forseeable future all of our new orders with have a set of car mats arrive on the same day of delivery.
In addition to this each car now also has a 'no-smoking sticker' sent out with it in order to comply with the law and this means yet another issue is taken away from our clients so they can focus firmly on what their core business.
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Industry Heavyweights - and Robert
I was privileged yesterday to be among some the leading lights in the world of fleet at the quarterly meeting held by the Association of Car Fleet Operators. Some of the content discussed by fleet managers, service providers, maintenance companies and manufacturers was very interesting indeed...... here's a brief for you!
ACFO is working with Her Majestys' Revenue and Customs regarding fuel allowances for cash for car drivers. This will be a heavyweight consultation and we'll keep you posted! Here's a guide from them so you can keep updated at the moment
Duty of Care is the buzzword been lingering for a while and is now fully in the fore for fleet discussions. It is likely that there will be yet more legislation being passed to make your business ever more responsible for your drivers and the vehicles they drive!
Tyres - a big debate about when they should be replaced, however one big fleet operator insisted that tyres and oil were the main priorities for maintaining a fleet, given he runs over 1000 vehicles I believed him! (so I suggest you have a check as well!)
Mobile Phones - still being used by a large proportion of drivers. I get the impression companies think that a standard hands-free kit is legal - NOPE! Anthony K Associates can source quality bluetooth kits for our clients that are fully compliant and not too expensive!!
Roadsafe - is the Government department aimed at safe business driving. They are now recommending that Electronic Stability Programmes are fitted to all company run vehicles. The site is well worth a look for help and advice on safety matters.
Going Green with the Energy Saving Trust
Environmental impacts are probably the major concern for fleets, manufacturers and suppliers. As they want to contribute to change but are being hindered by all sorts of issues - firstly the cost of Contract Hire of a Hybrid can be over £100 more expensive per month than a standard vehicle! Although we did conclude a brand new car now has a much cleaner life-cycle than older vehicles - so we are doing our bit (by accident!)
Will I be going again - absolutely, not only did we get the chance to listen to the most up to date goings on in the world of company vehicles Anthony K Associates are also having an input in to its further development. Top Stuff!!
ACFO is working with Her Majestys' Revenue and Customs regarding fuel allowances for cash for car drivers. This will be a heavyweight consultation and we'll keep you posted! Here's a guide from them so you can keep updated at the moment
Duty of Care is the buzzword been lingering for a while and is now fully in the fore for fleet discussions. It is likely that there will be yet more legislation being passed to make your business ever more responsible for your drivers and the vehicles they drive!
Tyres - a big debate about when they should be replaced, however one big fleet operator insisted that tyres and oil were the main priorities for maintaining a fleet, given he runs over 1000 vehicles I believed him! (so I suggest you have a check as well!)
Mobile Phones - still being used by a large proportion of drivers. I get the impression companies think that a standard hands-free kit is legal - NOPE! Anthony K Associates can source quality bluetooth kits for our clients that are fully compliant and not too expensive!!
Roadsafe - is the Government department aimed at safe business driving. They are now recommending that Electronic Stability Programmes are fitted to all company run vehicles. The site is well worth a look for help and advice on safety matters.
Going Green with the Energy Saving Trust
Environmental impacts are probably the major concern for fleets, manufacturers and suppliers. As they want to contribute to change but are being hindered by all sorts of issues - firstly the cost of Contract Hire of a Hybrid can be over £100 more expensive per month than a standard vehicle! Although we did conclude a brand new car now has a much cleaner life-cycle than older vehicles - so we are doing our bit (by accident!)
Will I be going again - absolutely, not only did we get the chance to listen to the most up to date goings on in the world of company vehicles Anthony K Associates are also having an input in to its further development. Top Stuff!!
Friday, 6 July 2007
Which? Magazine Survey
An article on the BBC Website has interestingly and correctly called in to question 'dodgy cars'.
I'm lucky enough to speak to enough people everyday to build up a judgement of good v's bad! It only takes a couple of complaints about the oil and petrol consumption in a certain Japanese sports car for me to start mentioning it to our clients and using my independence to recommend an alternative.
The report also clearly shows patterns of how shrewd businesses, tend themselves to avoid certain manufacturers and this reflects in us providing very few of these 'dodgy cars' on to the roads. I bet the majority of unhappy drivers are those buying their own cars which they chose with their heart not their head!
Just asking around the office we can't remember the last complaint about a Ford Mondeo or VW Passat - ok ok so they don't set the world alight stood next to a Ferrari however as a business tool they do the job!
So Lexus came out on top ! Not surprised here, we are getting more and more enquiries on the IS22o than BMW and Mercedes put together! Guess what every Lexus we have delivered has phenomonal feedback too!!
I'm lucky enough to speak to enough people everyday to build up a judgement of good v's bad! It only takes a couple of complaints about the oil and petrol consumption in a certain Japanese sports car for me to start mentioning it to our clients and using my independence to recommend an alternative.
The report also clearly shows patterns of how shrewd businesses, tend themselves to avoid certain manufacturers and this reflects in us providing very few of these 'dodgy cars' on to the roads. I bet the majority of unhappy drivers are those buying their own cars which they chose with their heart not their head!
Just asking around the office we can't remember the last complaint about a Ford Mondeo or VW Passat - ok ok so they don't set the world alight stood next to a Ferrari however as a business tool they do the job!
So Lexus came out on top ! Not surprised here, we are getting more and more enquiries on the IS22o than BMW and Mercedes put together! Guess what every Lexus we have delivered has phenomonal feedback too!!
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