We’ll soon be merging this blog with the News and Information section of our website. Our various blog topics have all grown like Topsy but from 2018 FOXY Lady Blogs will be posted HERE, to make it easier for our readers. FOXY Lady blog is critical to getting our message across. In our new Blog Section you’ll find a blog post explaining why we write what we do and how our blog reflects our strategic business plans. It’s all part of our ‘drive’ (pardon the pun) to get what we do to a wider audience as part of an affordable and measurable PR plan. To raise awareness about the Club, I started the FOXY Lady blog in March 2008, writing for and about women drivers. It’s not a sexy read and I doubt it’ll make it to the top of a busy female’s ‘must read’ blog list but if women want to know about motoring they stand a chance of finding useful insider information here, with their best interests at heart, when they need it most. Or … [Read more...] about Why blogging matters to small businesses
Business
Daimler and BMW Group merge mobility businesses
Daimler and the BMW Group on Wednesday announced they are joining forces in mobility services, the most popular of which today are ride-hailing and car-sharing services. The two automakers have signed an agreement to establish a joint-venture entity that will roll their various mobility services, such as Daimler's Car2Go and the BMW Group's DriveNow, into the one business, potentially making the services more attractive to investors. The joint-venture company will also oversee all future mobility services to be developed, like a self-driving taxi service. The goal is to enable Daimler and the BMW Group to become a leading provider of mobility services and to better weather strong competition from rival automakers as well as players outside the auto industry, namely Silicon Valley (Waymo says it will commercialize a self-driving taxi service as early as this year). By working together, the two automakers can also more rapidly expand their services globally. “The planned merger of … [Read more...] about Daimler and BMW Group merge mobility businesses
Apprenticeship levy is in urgent need of reform say businesses
That’s the key finding of the Institute of Directors (IoD), which found that fewer than one in five will use Levy contributions to take on more apprentices than otherwise. The business group said the figures showed that reform was needed.A third of employers who don’t use the scheme said they are being prevented from doing so by the administrative burden or cost. Seamus Nevin, Head of Policy Research at the Institute of Directors, said: “Business leaders support the Government’s drive to raise the quality and quantity of apprenticeships and to improve the prestige of vocational education. Across the country, employers in almost every sector are reporting skills shortages, and apprenticeships are a very important part of the solution. “As this survey shows, however, the Apprenticeship Levy is not working as intended. The new system was supposed to be employer-driven but the narrow and centrally-controlled design mean this is not happening. “It … [Read more...] about Apprenticeship levy is in urgent need of reform say businesses
Why entering industry awards is good for business
In my experience not enough dealers put themselves forward for awards. As a consultant I’ve had the pleasure to work with some outstanding car retailers, many of whom consistently set high industry benchmarks for best practice in sales, aftersales and customer satisfaction; but don’t enter awards.It’s worth looking at the bigger picture. What would being shortlisted for an award, let alone winning one, mean to your business? Wouldn’t you like your customers to know you’ve been considered worthy to be a finalist for a national award? What marketing value would you put on displaying a winner’s logo in the showroom, on your website and across your social media channels? Being nominated for (and winning!) awards is also good for employee morale; everyone wants to be part of a winning team and this is an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of your staff. Also, what better signal could you give potential employees than promoting your dealership as one … [Read more...] about Why entering industry awards is good for business
Daimler, BMW to combine car-sharing businesses
FRANKFURT — German carmakers Daimler and BMW have joined forces to expand their businesses in new services such as car-sharing and electric vehicle charging, raising their full-year guidance to reflect the deal. Mercedes-owner Daimler and BMW, Germany's two biggest luxury carmakers, are preparing for a new era in mobility services where self-driving cars could allow them to expand into a business segment currently dominated by Uber in the United States and Didi Chuxing in China. Under the terms of the deal, which includes car-sharing units Car2Go and DriveNow as well as ride-hailing, parking and charging services, Daimler and BMW will each hold a 50 percent stake in a joint venture.Dieter Zetsche said. Assuming that regulators approve the transaction, both companies expect their key profit figures — earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for Daimler and pretax profit for BMW — to rise slightly year-on-year, compared with previous guidance for flat profit. Reporting … [Read more...] about Daimler, BMW to combine car-sharing businesses