Ground Transportation Podcast

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Welcome to another exciting episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast. Host James Blain discusses the future of the global chauffeur industry with Dr. Vojkan Tasic, founder and CEO of Limos4. Vojkan shares his journey from an engineering background to revolutionizing the limo business, focusing on building a booking platform, the significance of quality assurance, and the strategic expansion of his company. The conversation dives into the critical differences between the US and European executive transportation markets, the impact of AI and autonomous vehicles in the industry, and best practices for leveraging technology to stay ahead. 

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction & Background
05:40 What Makes a Successful Platform
08:15 The Big Difference Between Europe and the US
18:10 How Rideshare Effected the European Market
23:49 Chauffered Means More Than Just a Vehicle
28:35 Finding Affiliates that Meet Your Standards
37:08 Ideal Clients & The Secret Sauce
41:53 What does the Future Hold
47:39 Biggest Opportunity in the Industry Today

Connect with Vojkan Tasic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vojkantasic/
Visit Limos4 Website: https://www.limos4.com/

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

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Get a grip on your transportation business with EOS.

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci introduces EOS professional implementer Mike Zappone, who shares his journey from limo operator to a professional implementer of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). 

Discover Mike’s journey from selling his transportation business to becoming an EOS implementer, and learn how you can elevate your business, align your team, and achieve sustainable growth. Learn the key principles of EOS and how they can transform your company into a well-oiled machine.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:24 Background
02:05 Leros
05:16 Struggles with Retirement
05:47 EOS
22:00 The People Analyzer
27:23 The EOS End Product
30:54 What About Toxic People?
35:22 Is This the Best Use of Your Time?
37:52 Delegate and Elevate
40:01 The Biggest Objection to EOS
42:28 Core Values
46:33 The Matrix
47:42 Why Small Businesses Fail
48:54 The Accountability Chart
52:40 Bobby Bellagambia and Focus
56:21 Ken's Dancing With the Stars Story

Links:
Traction by Gino Wickman: https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book
Mike’s EOS Webpage: https://www.eosworldwide.com/mike-zappone
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzappone/
Email Mike: [email protected]

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

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Do you find yourself working *in* the business, and not *on* the business?
Ever feel like you're wearing too many hats?

You may be suffering from DIY addiction...

On this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken and James discuss the hidden costs of micro-managing a business, and why systems, process, and training are so critical for the operation of transportation businesses. 

Learn how to find the strength to take back your time, and get back to building your business. Discover why training, outsourcing, and process documentation can accelerate your company's growth. Go from DIY entrepreneur to a thriving business leader. Listen today.

00:00 Welcome
01:42 We'll Do That Ourselves
03:11 The Peter Principle
06:10 Spend Time Now to Save Time Later
08:58 Ken Riding the Rails
10:41 Don't Mow Your Own Grass
13:00 Ken Story
14:03 Tommy Mazi's Famous Line 
20:01 Limiting Beliefs
27:14 Shoestringers
28:14 Bookkeeping Services
30:00 Your Business Plan Should be a Two-Sided Coin

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

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Who are the biggest players in the autonomous vehicle (AV) market? Let's find out.

In this exciting episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci, Chief Business Analyst of Driving Transactions, shares research he has surfaced from secondary sources like Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, and other business analysts, connecting dots for owners and operators on the verge of offering Autonomous Livery services.

Ken provides compelling insights about the projected growth of AV robo-taxis, notable partnerships like Uber-Lucid-Nuro, safety concerns, regulatory hurdles, and the evolving business models that will shape the future of ground transportation. This episode also shines a light on AV pilot programs in cities like Jacksonville and universities like the University of Mississippi. Tune in to stay informed and learn how forward-thinking operators can prepare for this industry shift.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome
01:21 Autonomous Vehicles
03:03 Goldman Sachs Report
06:34 From Horsepower to Brainpower 
09:29 Waymo
11:46 Zoox 
12:47 Tesla
14:44 Uber
19:13 The Bellwether
19:51 Autonomous Livery 
21:38 Bentler Groups
23:47 Beep
24:30 What's Next for Autonomous? 
26:22 Rising Significant Concerns
34:45 Forward Thining Operations Need to do The Following
40:03 The Impact on The Taxi Industry

Links: 

Goldman Sachs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=XmV4IdnB-tU1-zFd&v=hiDVYhzeBYM&feature=youtu.be

Benteler: https://www.benteler.com/en/

Jacksonville news link: https://youtu.be/2kUJBZMwR2g?si=yb111dVtamxd477g

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

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In this episode of the Ground Transformation Podcast, James hosts Paul from Superior Executive Transportation, based in Virginia Beach, to discuss the intricacies of providing high-end luxury car service. Paul shares his journey from the fine dining industry to establishing a distinguished chauffeured car service. They discuss topics such as the importance of maintaining high standards of luxury and reliability, overcoming the challenges of starting a business, and the value of networking within the industry. Paul also emphasizes the significance of having a consistent brand and service quality across all chauffeurs. Tune in to discover insightful perspectives on the future of luxury transportation and the indispensable role of exceptional service.


00:00 Welcome
01:18 Paul's Background
05:59 Scaling the Business
09:06 Why No Limos?
10:50 Quiet Luxury
17:56 Dress for Success
20:40 The Last Butlers on Earth
23:53 How to Control the Experience
26:56 How to Get and Keep Employees
31:57 The Heart for Service
34:53 The Customer Service Advantage
39:12 Stay in Your Lane
45:31 What Does the Future Hold?
53:45 What Advice Would You Give Your Former Self?

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

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Robo-taxis going mainstream may happen sooner than you think...

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken and James discuss a groundbreaking announcement regarding the latest advancements in AV (Autonomous Vehicle) technology, referencing key players like Waymo, Tesla, Lucid, and Nuro. 

The conversation covers the exponential growth predicted by Moore's Law, the competitive landscape, and the significant technological advancements driving the industry forward. They also highlight real-world applications and future opportunities for fleet operators, touching on topics such as the impact on the luxury transportation market and the potential for AVs in specialized environments like university campuses. Tune in to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving world of autonomous vehicles, and the potential impact on the transportation industry.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome
01:40 Waymo in NYC
02:31 Moore's Law
06:31 Different Types of AVs
16:55 The Fate of TNC and Taxis
18:43 Effects on the NEMT Space
21:00 Google and Fleet Operations
28:46 Uber Announcement
39:47 The Possible Benefits From AVs
48:36 What Operators Can Do Today
52:00 AV Predictions

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

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On this exciting edition of the Ground Transportation Podcast host, Ken Lucci, digs into the future of the chauffeur transportation industry with special guest Leonardo from Magis. They discuss the transformative power of AI and autonomous vehicles, addressing the challenges and opportunities these innovations bring. Learn about the importance of embracing new technologies, potential roadblocks, and the need for the industry to evolve.

00:00 Intro + Welcome
04:24 Why Magis Came to the USA
06:57 Tech Monopolies and the Future
10:21 Parallels with the Electronic Security Industry
12:50 Not in the Business of Innovation, and Automation Growth
27:53 Pony AI
29:36 May Mobility
31:47 The Future of AV s
37:15 Parallels between Movie Studios and AVs
47:33 The Real Cost of Rideshare
55:18 What's in store for the Future


Connect with Leonardo: https://leonardo-gannio.com

Leonardo's book:
https://www.amazon.com/Mobility-3-0-Thrive-Passenger-Transportation/dp/B0DSKBBLSS

Article mentioned:
https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jep.33.2.3 

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

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In this special episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, we take a journey through some moments from past episodes about the impact of proper driver training. Host James Blain from PAX Training reflects on key elements that have shaped their discussions on training, customer service, and building a strong brand in the transportation industry. Featuring clips and insights from industry leaders like Bruce Heinrich, Tom Halsnik, Tiffany Hinton, Michelle Petelicki, and Athena Grimm. This episode dives deep into the importance of quality training, emotional intelligence, brand consistency, and internal culture. 

Chapters
0:00 Welcome
2:27 Bruce Heinrich
12:43 Tom Halsnik
23:42 Charlie Horky
33:07 Tiffany Hinton
39:31 Michelle Petilicki
46:41 Athena Grimm
52:17 Closing Thoughts

Listen the full episodes from our guests:

The Customer Experience: From the First Phone Call to the Final Thank You, with Bruce Heinrich: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/episodes/16247937

Mastering Customer Service in Chauffeured Transportation: Insights from Tom Halsnik: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/episodes/16432125

Rock N’ Roll Pioneer: Charlie Horky’s Epic Journey in Ground Transportation: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/episodes/16977323

Driving Sustainability: Tiffany Hinton's Influence on the Future of Ground Transportation: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/episodes/16553236

Charting a New Course: Exploring the Future of Motorcoach with Michelle Petelicki: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/episodes/17228621

The RAISE UP Mindset: Athena Grimm’s Blueprint for Business and Personal Growth: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400189/episodes/16553158

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

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DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the hosts, and are based on publicly available information and personal experiences. This content is intended for informational and commentary purposes only. Uber Technologies Inc. is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse, this episode.

In this edgy episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken and James deconstruct the concept of the 'Uber Dream'—the idea that driving for rideshare companies like Uber can be a lucrative and flexible job opportunity. The discussion includes data from Uber's financial and analyst reports that highlight a significant driver attrition rate, and how many rideshare drivers are often disillusioned by the real costs of driving, such as fuel, maintenance, and depreciation, which are seldom mentioned by the companies themselves. 

Listen to this episode to hear practical advice for current and potential rideshare drivers about understanding operational costs, considering alternate business models, and evaluating the true value of their work. They also discuss the broader social and economic implications of the gig economy.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
03:18 History of Uber
19:01 Gig Economy
20:35 Uber's Revenue Stream
26:38 Modern Day Exploitation
30:59 The Casino Effect
35:48 The Gig Economy's Unintended Consequences on Society
41:27 You Can't Train 1099 Employees
47:01 The Application of the 401k
50:51 A Lack of Intellectual Honesty
55:36 The Massive Opportunity for Legacy Operators

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

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In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, host Ken Lucci from Driving Transactions sits down with sales industry icon Julie Thomas, author of 'The Power of Value Selling: The Gold Standard for Driving Revenue and Creating Customers for Life.' 

Explore the principles of value selling and learn how to differentiate your services by focusing on the unique needs of your customers rather than just price. Julie shares her extensive experience and provides actionable insights on cultivating customer loyalty, the importance of asking the right questions, and how to maximize the lifetime value of your customers. Whether you're a small fleet operator or managing a larger team of chauffeurs, this episode offers methods to enhance your sales approach and drive business growth.

00:00 Welcome
03:30 Background
06:42 Value Selling
09:46 The Language of Value
10:57 Foundations of the Program
15:14 First Appointment is About Buyer's Needs
16:06 Do the Basic Client Research Beforehand
19:41 Everybody's A Salesperson
20:57 Rosetta Stone
24:20 "Yeah,But," Syndrome
28:53 Profitable Companies are Tough Business
33:16 Positive Developmental Feedback
42:34 Justifying Emotional Decisions Logically
44:54 Lead With Price and You Lose
47:39 Land and Expand
52:49 Chatbots
57:18 Learn New Skills Despite the Noise of your Business
01:01:38 Wrapping Up


https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieathomas/
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Value-Selling-Standard-Customers/dp/1394182562
 https://www.valueselling.com 
https://www.growist.com

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp