If you’re traveling to a business meeting and want to make the right impression, then rolling up in a ‘way-past-its-use-by-date’ vehicle isn’t the way to do it. In many cases, the company or individual you are visiting may well be looking out for your arrival and will sport you entering the car park. Even if they don’t at that stage, they may walk you back to your car later as a courtesy. In other words, your vehicle may be getting checked out even if entirely subconsciously.
Of course, you may decide that the most cost-effective way to travel around in luxury is through a rented chauffeur-driven limousine. That may be perfectly correct but then you are faced with the obvious question of what type of vehicle to go for while searching for town car from SNA to Disneyland.
Here are a few thoughts that may help in your decision.
Extravagance
At one time, in a commercial situation, it would have been fairly easy to conclude that the more prestigious a vehicle was, the better the impression it would make.
That might still be true in many situations, particularly those where you are looking to portray an image of the success of your company and are trying to communicate that success to the people you are visiting.
Cultural communication
Arriving in a chauffeur-driven sports convertible might work well if you are visiting a young organization with a corporate cultural emphasis on dynamism and doing things differently.
However, if you are visiting a bank, then that type of vehicle may be seen as being frivolous and indicative of a ‘here today and gone tomorrow’ business mentality.
The luxury limousine you take from car transportation company will convey a lot about your values and cultural approaches. Once again, there is no right or wrong in this. It’s a question of selecting a vehicle that is right for the environment you are going into.
Seating capacity
Remember that things can change on a business visit and not always predictably. Inviting the person you are visiting out to lunch to find that they ask if one of their colleagues can come too, might be embarrassing if you can’t fit everybody into the prestigious limousine you have fired.
So, think about what you are planning to do and build in a little spare capacity in terms of seating where possible.
In-vehicle facilities
If, for whatever reason, you plan to invite a business contact into the vehicle to go somewhere else, remember that they may well form instant judgments based on what is inside it.
High technology gadgetry may be appreciated and form the right impression but alcohol might not. So, think carefully about whether you want a bar in your vehicle and even if it does have one, whether it should be open and displayed.
Timeline
A final thought that is particularly relevant is in situations where you may need limo hire for business entertaining purposes.
If the other party suggests breaking for lunch earlier than planned, don’t get embarrassed by needing to refuse because your luxury limo isn’t going to be back for another hour! Yes, it may cost a few dollars more but think about hiring the vehicle for a slightly extended period rather than the bare-bones hours you think you might need it.