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Windy City Limousine and Bus CEO George Jacobs
Chicago, Ill.—Windy City Limousine and Bus is the recipient of the 1st Quarter 2019 LMC Group Circle of Excellence Award. Windy City won the award for excellence in their human resources policies and practices.
Windy City Limousine is one of the fastest-growing ground transportation providers in the country. As the first company in the industry to be named to INC 5000’s list of fastest-growing private companies five years in a row, Windy City has experienced tremendous growth due to its impressive fleet and excellent chauffeurs. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, as Windy City has been named Best Transportation Provider by Meetings + Events Magazine for the last seven years as well as Operator of the Year. CEO George Jacobs, President Kathy Kahne, and Executive Vice President Tracy Raimer make up Windy City’s experienced and dynamic leadership team.
Windy City Limousine is unquestionably a leader in ground transportation, not only in the Greater Chicago area, but also around the globe. Their senior management has made a number of deliberate decisions that keep them on top of their game, including the choice to empower their leadership through shared experiences for skill- and relationship-building and a voice in defining Windy City’s corporate culture.
“Chronically high business expenses in the transportation industry in terms of fleet, technology, and safety leave little left to invest in the very employees who keep these companies going and growing. Windy City has a longstanding commitment to reinvesting in their human resources, aiming to be an employer of choice and understanding that without a solid team in place, they cannot succeed. I commend their efforts, and I’m grateful for their partnership. They set the bar high, and they are a great example to follow,” says LMC CEO Kristen Carroll.
This past January, Windy City held a leadership retreat for its managers in partnership with The LMC Group. It was a two-day event that included a team-building cooking class and two days of seminars and workshops focused on finance and human resources. Topics covered during the human resources portion included How to be an Effective Manager; Coaching, Communicating, and Documenting; Sexual Harassment Training; and Behavioral Interview Training. The team took the first portion of the day to collectively create Windy City’s mission and values statements.
“It was an honor to be a part of the leadership retreat and to get to know this amazing group of managers,” says LMC Director of Human Resources Christina Davis. “Windy City is leading the pack with their dedication to their leadership team’s growth.”
Training and team building are often seen as luxuries or “someday” priorities, but they are essential to growing, thriving businesses. By investing in their people, Windy City Limousine and Bus is taking a long view that will pay off tremendously in the future.
Visit windycitylimos.com for more information.
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London—SME News, a quarterly publication geared toward small and medium sized enterprises with fewer than 250 employees, recently named EG Chauffeurs as Best Chauffeur Company in their 2019 UK Transport Awards. The magazine awards are solely given on merit, and are given to companies that have distinguished themselves from their competitors.
EG Chauffeurs are a London based premier chauffeur company providing professional and affordable chauffeur services in London and across the UK for leisure and business travel. With over a decade of experience in the field and a large fleet of brand new luxury and prestigious vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and ultra-luxe high-end vehicles, the company works to guarantee you discretion, reliability and professionalism in every trip.
“A massive thank you to all our loyal clients for your continued support and a big thank you to our chauffeur team for delivering an unparalleled customer service and professionalism in the field - I couldn't have been more proud,” said EG Founder & Managing Director Ervin Gjoni.
UK Transport Awards winners are named in categories covering a vast array of endeavors across the transport sectors and markets. The UK boasts a radial road network totaling 29,145 miles of main road, 2,173 miles of motorways, and 213,750 miles of paved roads; 2,560 passenger railway stations on the Network Rail network; and over 40 commercial airports, 20 of which are major international hubs, which provides a rich field of candidates deserving of accolades.
“A variety of companies who work in the transport sector—whether its running a car dealership or van rentals to logistic services, and rail networks to acknowledge the excellence of the services and products they provide—have been showcased here. Congratulations to all my winners, and best of luck for the future,” said Natalie Farrell, UK Transport Awards coordinator.
Visit egchauffeurs.com for more information.
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Austin, Texas — Although we’re less than a week away from the industry event of the spring, there’s still time to register for the Chauffeur Driven Executive Retreat in Austin. We have a few slots left for anyone who wants to join our exclusive group of operators on May 5-8 for first-class education, networking, and fun in one of America’s most unique cities.
While things kick off Sunday night with a Cinco de Mayo bash on Austin’s legendary 6th Street, we’re getting down to business after breakfast on Monday morning with a Q&A with CD Publisher Chris Weiss and NLA President Gary Buffo, moderated by Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide. This discussion will answer all the questions the industry has regarding the partnership between the NLA and Chauffeur Driven. You can count on Weiss, Buffo, and Sharenow to provide a detailed analysis of the new alliance, including what led up to it, how it came to be, and what it means for the industry at large in the future. We’re looking forward to the plans that CD and the NLA have in place, and by the end of this Q&A, we think you will be too.
Here’s a three-part video that provides a sneak peek at what’s in store for the live conversation in Austin.
After the Q&A, our education begins with Lead Smarter By Letting Go, a session from presenters Dean and Jolynda Ash that’s designed to help owner/operators work deliberate about where they spend your time and energy. Then, on Monday afternoon, Dr. Jennifer Beer of the University of Texas will present Reading the Signs to Be a Better Negotiator, which will reveal the verbal and nonverbal cues to read (and ignore) when trying to close a deal. When the sun sets, we’re heading to Austin’s hip Rainey Street for an unforgettable party at UnBARlievable with all-you-can-eat BBQ catered by the legendary Stubb’s BBQ.
The education continues on Tuesday with a day devoted to the ever-timely topic of Mergers and Acquisitions. An all-star panel of experts with recent experience in M&A will share their expertise in a pair of panels spearheaded by business consultant Andi Gray of Strategy Leaders. Part #1: Getting Prepared for the Deal will provide insight as to why you should be looking to sell as well as all the necessary preparation required and the pitfalls to avoid , and Part #2: The Nuts & Bolts of Making It Happen will dive deep into valuating your business and the most common obstacles many face during a buy-out. Then on Tuesday afternoon, we’re offering our first Bonus Roundtable Session—Making Your Expenses Work for You—in which operators from different markets will share tips and resources that owners can use to make their existing rewards and perks save them cash.
On Wednesday, get ready to get weird: On our final day in Texas, we’re hosting a professionally guided city tour (in Grech Buses) to give our attendees a firsthand look at what makes Austin one of the most eclectic destinations in America. You’ll visit area hotspots, locale boutiques, and historic landmarks before lunch is served at The Picnic, a food truck bonanza that offers everything from basic tacos to distinct international cuisine.
If you have any questions regarding our #2019AustinRetreat, don’t hesitate to contact our Director of Events Jess Pavlow at jess@chauffeurdriven.com or 856-452-0323. Visit austinexecutiveretreat.com for more information.
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