HOW TO START A TAXI BUSINESS

Transportation is one of the key requirements of modern-day living. A sizable number of people can not afford to buy their own cars. These people rely solely on other forms of transportation to get around. Foremost among these other forms of transportation worldwide are trains, buses and taxis. In places where there is no government monopoly on transportation, running a taxi business is a very good venture. Many small business owners and entrepreneurs make good money running a taxi business. To make money in the business, you need to have the requisite driving skills. In addition, it pays to love driving as well and be very familiar with the streets of your chosen city.

 

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How to get started:
Your first point of call is an urban area with a very high population always on the move. Take steps to acquire all maps of the city then spend time to study them very well. What you need for the business is an officially sanctioned vehicle in a very good working condition. You can lease the vehicle, lease it or have it purchased outright depending on your financial capabilities. Make sure it has all the required city permits and registered in all departments of the city as required by law. If you are driving the vehicle yourself, be sure that you have the license to drive that kind of vehicle and in the type of city you have chosen. Make sure the vehicle is well-maintained and cleaned out often to make it attractive to your passengers. Charging competitive fares, prompt and polite service are necessary for continued patronage.

How to get patronage:
Since you are new in town and new in the business, your first major challenge is to get known. You will have to make out time to visit pubs, supermarkets, entertainment centers, sports arenas and any other public places. The idea is to get acquainted with the proprietors and managers of these public places. Leave your call cards in all these places and try to get in touch with them often particularly at the outset of the business. You should never turn down a business call without a very cogent reason. Even if circumstances constrain you to turn down a call, it is advisable to do so in a very polite way. You can offer a good alternative if possible. With time, your contacts with these public places will bring you calls for business.

Success tips:
A very neat appearance, honesty and extreme politeness to your passengers can help you to succeed. If your passengers are new to the city, spend the time they will be riding with you to tell them the much you can about the city they are visiting. If the passengers are same-city-dwellers, chat with them about the current waves in politics, the weather, sports and world affairs. Find out before hand which type of music your passengers prefer then play them the music at a very agreeable volume. To do that effectively, you should have a well-stocked music library in the taxi. The library should meet the music tastes of various passengers. Above all, you should always drive and act in ways which make your passengers feel very secure riding in your taxi.

READ AGAIN :  7 Things You Do After You Buy a Business

You bought a running business. Congratulations! So how have you planned to get your hands on it?
Your action plan for the initial period after you buy a running business would largely contribute to the success or failure of your business. With already lot of pressure and hundreds of ideas running on mind to grow the business, it is very easy to make mistakes in the initial phase of the business after you acquire it.
To ensure a smooth transition, here are the 7 things you should do right to lay a strong foundation for your business.

1. Make sure to have the previous owner stay for required time:
Make the best out of the pre-decided transaction period. Prepare a comprehensive list of things you want the seller to cover like processes, USPs and flaws of the business etc. Also learn the business plan and the future strategies current owner has made.

2. Observe, ask questions and make notes:
Sharply observe daily activities of the seller, the flow of communication with customers, employees and vendors. Make notes, know every bit of the business, continually ask questions and get answers from the sellers.

3. Do not make any substantial changes:
People loathe changes, so go slow and avoid any big change that will disrupt the current business operations or make the employees or customers unhappy. You will have chance to grow your business after you know it in and out.

4. Meet your employees:
Meet the employees let them know that they will be an integral part of your business. Take their thoughts on the current working of the business, how it can be improved to make their job more effective. Based on their feedback, formulate your business plans and strategies.

5. Make your customers aware of the new ownership:
Know your customers and review the customer service policies and the procedures. Let your customers also know that you are the new owner and that the service provided to them would be the same as earlier, or better than that. Treat them with special offers or a giveaway or something that you think your customers will appreciate.

6. Vendors shouldn't be missed out:
The suppliers for your business are equally important. Meet up the major suppliers of your business and make contacts with the rest of them. Avoid making any long term contracts which can hinder your new strategies. Later, when you feel comfortable, look out for other suppliers to get better pricing and terms for future deals.

7. New look to your premises:
Once you have settled in make some changes in office, get the walls painted, re-arrange the setting, and get rid of unproductive assets. It will make it look bigger, new and different. This will have a psychological effect in making you believe that now it is your space.
Work out your action plan around these seven things to get you going in the right direction. Use these this initial phase wisely and know all about the business that you should.

Posted by Anonim

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