How not to run a business
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Back in June, I blogged about Where to leave your car at Sydney Domestic terminals for those of you that are frequent day-trippers via Sydney airport.
For trips longer than same-day, leaving the car there gets a bit expensive, so in order to keep the accountants happy I recommend finding another way.
I'm not a big fan of the standard taxi for a couple of reasons. The first is the inconvenience of having to wait for them as opposed to having them waiting for you. When you do enough travel, that time adds up and is unproductive. The second reason is probably more reflective of my own phobias, but Sydney cabs don't have a reputation for being clean and Sydney cab drivers don't have a reputation for being hygienic or familiar with the streets.
As such, I've always attempted to use a Silver Service, Prestige Cab or other hire car where it can be booked and they are waiting, the car is clean and the driver is professional.
However, I would like to share with you a recommendation of who not to use as well as an example of how not to run a business... at least if you want to stay around for long.
I tried elimousine & ecotaxi recently as a friend who manages a hotel recommended them a while back.
The concept seems cool but the execution was anything but. Out of four pickups I arranged with them, they only picked me up once - the first time.
On the second instance, I was left hanging at Sydney T3 as 'the driver had the wrong information about my flight's landing time because his blackberry had a javascript problem with Qantas' website and would take 20 minutes to get to me'. It took only 15 minutes to wait for a regular cab. The manager of the business was 'kind enough' not to charge me for the missed pickup - really! Like he had any grounds to charge me!
On the third instance, I was offloaded to Silver Service, which wasn't really a bad thing.
In the final instance, I was just left at Sydney International with no indication as to why they weren't there or anyone answering the phone to make alternative arrangements. Upon email the manager of the business, I was told he was "very surprised to hear that" and that he "will address tomorrow morning"... which he never did.
Clearly, I won't recommend using them to anyone but at least they serve as a good example to the rest of us how you shouldn't run a business.
Labels: Personal effectiveness, Travel
posted by Lee Gale @ 2:00 AM,
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Evora vs Cayman S
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I've blogged about the Lotus Evora previously and the Porsche Cayman ad-nuaesea in
2009 Nissan 370Z vs 2008 Porsche Cayman S, Porsche Cayman vs Audi TT S vs BMW 335i M Sport and Facelifted Boxster & Cayman.
Now Auto Express has put them head-to-head.
The verdict is predictable. The Cayman is such a great car (if you excuse the driving position for tall drivers, the stupid PDK ergonomics and the criminal options list) that it wins the fight... unless you want to stand out from the crowd and get something more original.
I did try and do the right thing by the BBC, but couldn't find the official Top Gear video of their review of the Cayman S. Instead, checkout this 'less official' one:
Also worth checking is Fifth Gear's drive of the Cayman S:
Labels: Cars
posted by Lee Gale @ 2:01 AM,
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Hyatt Regency Auckland
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
One of my recommendations if you are traveling to Auckland is to stay at the Hyatt Regency Auckland.
Yes, it's a bit 'corporate' and wouldn't be a recommendation if you are looking for a romantic getaway in the City of Sails, but it's a reasonably priced hotel (so it will satisfy the company accountants) and if you ask to get a room in the new wing of the hotel, you'll enjoy a huge room with the bedroom separate to the living area and a cosy kitchenette. The icing on the cake is the big-assed flat-screen TV in the living room. Nice!
Labels: Travel
posted by Lee Gale @ 2:54 AM,
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Lotus Esprit
Sunday, June 28, 2009
It thankfully sounds like Lotus is continuing their product release. Following on from the Evora, next in line is the reincarnated Esprit.
AutoCar report that both a coupe and convertible are in the works.
Motor Authority reports on the power being sourced from Toyota (Lexus) and that makes a lot of sense given their past Toyota alliance. They suggest that "the 500hp (373kW) V10 engine, which is set to debut in the Lexus LF-A supercar next year, would likely be reserved for a range-topping model, while a mid-spec model would get the IS-F’s 420hp (312kW) V8 and an entry-level model would pick up a 300hp (225kW) version of the 3.5L Toyota V6 from the Evora." Sounds fantastic!
I have to say the renderings look fantastic - especially the convertible below.
I had looked at buying the V8 Esprit back in the late '90s. In the end I just didn't want the high-cost of running the beast... but it was tempting (the example I looked at was in great condition and a bargain price) and remains a dead-sexy car!
Fifth Gear did an amusing 200mph project with an Esprit S4S. Check it out here:
Labels: Cars
posted by Lee Gale @ 1:54 AM,
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Where to leave your car at Sydney Domestic terminals
Friday, June 26, 2009
I know, a blog about where to park at Sydney's Domestic terminals isn't exactly the most exciting of topics, but if you do many day-trips from Sydney, your choices of transport aren't as simple as you think.
Firstly, do you take a taxi?
For day trips, I've found the price of a cab each way to be comparable to parking but without all the annoying stuff you get with a cab. Actually having the car there when you want to get into it is a plus. Beyond that, how many times have you jumped into a cab in Sydney, only to have immediate concerns about the road-worthiness of the vehicle, the ability of the driver to either speak English, know what they are doing or use deodorant?
As for parking, there are a number of options at the airport as you can see from their website.
Assuming you don't have the time (or are inclined to waste what time you do have) on self-parking, I'd recommend Pronto's Valet parking. You drive straight into the car park, which is conveniently sandwiched between T2 and T3 terminals, and leave them your keys. Easy! Retrieving the car is just as easy, especially if you ask nicely and have them leave you car right in front of the pay station :-)I used to use Qantas Valet parking as it is in T2 itself, which should theoretically make entry and exit rapid - but it rarely turned out that way. There seems to always be a queue when picking up the car and I've only had my car waiting as promised once. To top it off, where as Pronto keep your car in under-cover parking (which anyone with a dark coloured car will appreciate), Qantas use the long-term car park (or something else out in the open) as a holding area. Not happy Jan!
Labels: Travel
posted by Lee Gale @ 2:39 AM,
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