Have you got what it takes?
During the middle of 2019, I was looking for an organisation who shared the same values as us. Having already qualified as an IAM Roadsmart Advanced driver 9 years ago, and then a Masters driver in 2017, what more could I do to both improve and gain accreditation demonstrating that I had the necessary skillset for our clients peace of mind?
I constantly notice licensed drivers speeding past me as I travel at the speed limits. Additionally, when I was working in a different career and used taxis and executive cars, I was in the back of the car, wondering when he would slow down as I saw the cars in front getting very quickly so close. Rarely was there a gradual decrease in speed and rarely was the appropriate speed approached when nearing corners and traffic lights, for example.
Enough of criticising others, and let’s focus on the service we provide. When starting our business I was and still am, convinced that we can provide a service that guarantees not only our reliability, but also that our passengers can be safe and comfortable as well as guaranteeing that we operate legally. So there we have it, our guarantees set out in black and white as some of our unique selling points. Another USP is that I have been where most of my clients currently are before they meet us, that is I have experienced the pain points of a traveller in that I rarely felt safe or comfortable when being driven by others.
That’s all well and good us stating what our guarantees are, but last year I was looking for a body that could properly assess our standard to provide that recognition that we really do what we say we do.
In my search, I came across the Guild of Professional Chauffeurs that stood out among the others. As opposed to offering a home study course and pay the money to gain membership, or just paying to get in, they provide an assessment day when a written exam is taken after route planning exercise (RPE) is submitted, and then a practical driving assessment, not forgetting that the applicant must have a current emergency of work first aid qualification.
I was to be assessed in a life like situation, meeting and greeting one of the assessors in role play as a VIP top executive taking him to central Oxford from their base near Bicester.
Before the drive started, one of the Guild assessors inspected our big cat as well
Having completed the RPE beforehand, I had 2 optional routes and on the day I chose my first route with my sat nav all set.
I greeted the VIP, and went through my normal routine as I do with every single client, offering him bottled water and a snack, checking if he needed a cable for charging his phone, letting him know that the air con can be changed should he prefer hotter or colder, and letting him know for his peace of mind, that I travel up to the speed limit when safe to do so, and that if he wanted me to slow down, then he only has to ask.
Just after starting the journey, I gave him an approx ETA which is of course dependant on the traffic.
As we progressed on the journey which was expected to be about an hour, he presented me with the first of three issues that I had to adjust for. Not giving anything away, the purpose of these issues, is to check how I handle a change in plan to ensure that I can handle the pressure that comes with it. Sometimes ‘stuff’ happens and the clients requirement change without any notice, so the assessment is also, to discover how I as a chauffeur, can adjust to my clients requirements.
The VIP (also an assessor) along the journey was all the time checking whether I kept within the legal road conditions and whether he felt safe and comfortable at all times.
At the end of the drive, when back at the base, the VIP joined the other assessors and they then compared notes about my dress code, presentation of my car, the Highway Code exam, RPE and the drive and thankfully confirmed that I had passed.
For me to be awarded the certificate and pin, was not just a badge to wear, but allowed me to provide the services we do, with pride knowing that I had earned the right to be called an executive chauffeur, as I had my skillset assessed by very well qualified assessors.
For our clients, this provides them with peace of mind in the knowledge that they will be looked after by us - a standard that anyone who works for us as we expand in the future will also have to achieve.
For other chauffeurs, I challenge you to also be assessed with the plan of becoming a member of the Guild of Professional Chauffeurs - The main goal of the GoPC is to establish itself as the benchmark for professional standards and to become the marque of quality-recognisable to those wishing to enter, or already working within the industry, the customer, licensing authorities, and the media. to read more of their Mission click on this link.
To check our availability, get in touch by: