Our Blog Has Moved!

The TBR Global Blog has moved back to where it should be...On to the TBR Global website.  So come check out the new blog at www.tbrglobal.com/blog and also enjoy all the new pages on our website.  See you soon!

TBR Global CEO's Surprise Birthday Video - He's got a ticket to ride

TBR Global staff wanted to give their CEO a 50th birthday present he would not forget. So we made a video around all of our TBR Global offices all behind his back. Happy Birthday Michael O'Hare!

How do you pack for a week long business trip?

Many of our clients spend weeks at a time going from city to city for executive meetings. These meetings could range from places such as New York to Chicago to San Diego- all different climates. How does one pack for week long trips in ranging climates? If it were me, I would have a gigantic suitcase full with different outfits, accessories and shoes; probably not the best idea if I need to be punctual. So, how do our customers pack for weeklong trips? Through my searching, I have found some tips and tricks that are useful for packing in situations like this.

1.       Avoid checking a bag- use a carry-on if possible

Not every airline allows the same size carry-on. However, most airlines allow a 22” suitcase. This will limit the amount of room you have to pack and make you think twice about your clothing choices.

2.       Pack clothing that can be worn multiple ways

For example: a three piece suit can be mixed and matched to produce different looks while taking up limited space. In addition, bringing one suit but having multiple ties or pocket squares will bring a new look each day. For the ladies, a different necklace or scarf can have the same effect.

3.       Put a rolled- up belt inside your shirt collar to keep it stiff

4.       Roll clothing to prevent wrinkles and preserve space

The most surprising aspect of rolled clothing is that you are able to find items easily. Folded clothing is stacked and it is difficult to find a specific shirt without ruining the neat fold you spent 10 minutes perfecting. Rolled clothing, on the other hand is easily distinguishable, faster, and causes fewer wrinkles.

5.       Invest in non-wrinkle clothing

If you happen to still have wrinkled clothing once you arrive, most hotels have an iron available. If no iron is available or you are running late, hang your shirt in the bathroom while you shower- the steam will lessen the wrinkles.

6.       Put rolled socks in your shoes to save space- don’t forget to put your shoes in a plastic bag though! It will save your clothes from getting dirty.

If you have any additional tips or tricks, let us know! We would love to hear what your “must haves” are for a business trip. 

An interview with the Boston Roadshow Desk

At TBR Boston, one of our most energetic groups is our roadshow desk. No matter what day, or how busy it is, the roadshow desk if full of positive energy and pep. I’ve decided to interview them to see what keeps them in such a positive mood and provide the best service worldwide. Since the desk consists of a group of Red Sox fans, they have decided to be represented, for this purpose, as the Fenway Fanatics

How do all of you keep such a positive mood, despite the busy nature of keeping TBR ticking?

Fenway Fanatics:

TBR has such a great atmosphere whether dealing with customers or with hanging out at work. We all have gotten to know each other really well and enjoy each other’s company. All of us enjoy gossiping about the latest industry events and keeping each other up to speed. It’s almost a competition of sorts- trying to fight for who has the most up to date information! When one of us is having a down day, we are able to cheer them up and keep the positivity flowing.

When in a tough situations, how would you say TBR handles them vs other companies?

Fenway Fanatics:

As a group, we make sure to go above and beyond in difficult situations. Most companies see that there is a problem and ignore it. We face the problem head on, trying to solve it with as little interruption to the schedule as possible. If a schedule needs to be changed last minute, we make sure we communicate with everyone involved and confirm the change has been made. Communication is key. We make sure to keep the booker informed every step of the way.

You mentioned TBR goes above and beyond to help bookers. Do you have any examples?

Fenway Fanatics:

There are a couple of different ways we go above and beyond. We always double check pickup times to see if there is enough time to arrive at their meeting. We always send an email letting you know we have received information and reply in a timely manner. And we always keep you informed. As we said before, communication is key.

Thank you Fenway Fanatics! 

TBR Chauffeurs

TBR Global chauffeurs are experienced drivers with a full dedication for their work and passionate about what they do. At TBR we believe that the chauffeurs work not only consists of driving clients to their destinations but making their journey as pleasant as possible.

TBR drivers are used to working for a high luxury brand so their image and attitude is always in line with the circumstances, always knowing how to manage problems or unexpected situations when needed.

TBR Global provide an outstanding customer service and we continuously monitor this through a rigorous chauffeurs’ selection process and on going training. Even special security training is provided for those that work in the areas with potential conflicts or who drive passengers with special security needs.

Quality Control

Our control system and daily monitoring allows us to check that our chauffeurs meet our policies in every service. Those rules are related to punctuality and schedules or specific customer needs for each service. Furthermore, our drivers are in constant communication with the offices by phone and mobile apps.

Finally, our feedback system enables customers to give their opinion about the service and their driver quickly and effectively.

At TBR Global we are proud that our drivers’ feedbacks are very positive and exceed all expectations, placing TBR Global as an industry leader in ground transportation.

China to Be the Largest Business Travel Market Worldwide in 2016

GBTA expects China to continue to grow its domestic business travel market much more rapidly than the other countries in the world with estimated spending growth of 14.2% in 2015 and 12.1% in 2016. China is poised to overtake the U.S. as the number one business travel market in the world.

According to the report of GBTA, China is to surpass the U.S. in spending by 2017 considering their current and estimated growth in business travel market.

China’s economic growth projections in the near term remain robust, which bode well for a strong business travel market, growing more rapidly than the other major markets globally,

said Stanford Lin, Vice President and Head of Products at Visa China.

Visa is committed to working with financial institutions and merchant partners to offer value-add benefits that help companies and business travelers better manage their travel expenses.

Outbound tourism is popular among Chinese travelers. Some European airlines promote cheap tickets to attract travelers to Europe according to CNN’s report.

Japan has also added some special travel trains with delicious food supply to attract travelers. Besides, Japan’s luxury train can provide luxury goods and food to stimulate travelers’ consumption home and abroad according to Nikkei Asian Review. Shoppers from China spent 18% more on Tax Free Shopping in 2014 compared to 2013 according to Global Blue.

Australia is the top luxury travel destination, followed by France. Maldives shoots into third place. UK back into the Top 10.

China has been the largest market for Germany’s domestic travel in Asian. During Chinese year period, German’s merchants promoted various events to attract Chinese travelers. See more about Chinese New Year Traveler Insights here.

Oxford research report shows China and other new markets will promote global travel industry into a prosperous stage in 10 years.

Read more: http://www.chinainternetwatch.com/12920/largest-business-travel-market-worldwide-2016/#ixzz3XqDJtRKV

The People Awards 2015

TBR Global are delighted to announce that our EMEA Managing Director Craig Chambers has been shortlisted in The People Awards 2015 for Rising Star.

This Rising Star Award recognises an outstanding individual from any sector of the business travel industry who is under 35 years of age and has demonstrated a desire to develop into a business leader of the future through excellence in and a fresh approach to their role

The Awards Ceremony takes place on Friday May 22nd at the Park Plaza.  We will keep you up to date on our social media.

Well done Craig!

He wouldn't be Head of Events without a good story

Michael Head of Events has gone through several iterations himself, having joined the company on the ground floor as a controller and moved through the ranks to Head of Events.  This life-long relationship with the firm means he’s intimately familiar with our ethos of putting the client and quality first and foremost. 

As well as making sure his team are running at peak efficiency, Michael doubles as a project manager, able to run the most complex of events. It’s a 24/7 responsibility, a fact amply demonstrated as during our conversation he’s pulled away to take a call from a client regarding an event running that day in Berlin.

As well as that event, the client being a major international bank, he’s simultaneously working on a global financial institution’s board meeting in Dublin, as well as reviewing the first manifest that has arrived for The Masters. Michael said: “I’m very hands on. I’ve been here for ten years now. I started as a controller and worked all the way up. Events coordinator, events manager, project manager.  “It sets a good example to everyone in the team if they see me working hard and how specific I am on the finer points of an event, that they can use that as a measuring stick of what they are expected to do and how hard they’re expected to work. “The fact that I’ve worked on every level rather than be parachuted in means I understand intimately the roles of the people I manage.

“I would say one word for the company is quality, whether that’s quality of service, quality of vehicle, quality of staff. It’s the main focus for me, the number one driver.”

A good example of this commitment to excellence can be seen in what Michael describes as his most enjoyable event with TBR Global, covering the 2008 Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi. 

Despatched to the UAE a week in advance by CEO Michael O’Hare - who wisely anticipated issues - he and project manager Kern Jennings were left playing a game of hunt-the-Mercedes with the local supplier. He explained: “Our clients’ requirement was to have eight Mercedes in place, which we thought we had sorted out. “Michael though knew better thanks to his experience and told us to get out there a week in advance, we said, no we don’t need to, he said, no there WILL be problems. “So we set up a date to view the cars, we get told it it’s not possible, we set up a second one and end up standing around in an underground car park for four hours - no cars turn up.“We speak to the local supplier to tell him we’ve had enough, bring the cars to the hotel. 

“On the third day one car turns up but it’s a souped up Mercedes S Class with 22 inch alloys and fibe glass, not what we want for corporate clients. “We went crazy at the supplier and he takes us somewhere he thinks he has S-classes - they were all BMWs, we go to a second place, all 7 series. “We go to a third place, it’s STILL all BMWS. At that point I kind of lost the plot and flexed our muscles in terms of what our contract allowed us to do.  

“The next day the supplier picks us up and starts driving us to the desert, we’re in the back of the car, Kerr and I, looking at one another thinking, where on earth are we going? 

“We end up in the biggest unit in the middle of nowhere, we drive into it and there must have been 300 BMW 7 series. I’m despairing at this point, but the supplier say, don’t worry.

“We drive right up to the back and there are eight S-classes with TBR number plates. 

“It was an ordeal to say the least, but we ended up having a bit of time to enjoy the sights of Abu Dhabi, and the hotel pool!”

With an uncle as CEO, and his mother managing director for TBR Global’s American operations, Michael has grown up alongside the phenomenal expansion of the company.
But looking back now, is he surprised that the firm has managed to grow over such a relatively short period of time?  “Not really. Knowing my uncle and how driven he is I realised he was always going to make it what it is today,” he said.  “I’d say I’ve been held to a higher standard because of the family connection, but it’s installed a work ethic in me that I would say is my best quality. “I don’t see myself being anywhere else in my career. I’m here, I want to progress further and see how far I can get. “Certainly the opportunities are here for all of our staff, you just need to take them by showing you can do it.”

To find out more about joining TBR Global, click here.

French air traffic strike prompts hundreds of cancellations

The SNCTA union has called the strike for today and Thursday in a dispute over working conditions and raising of the retirement age for air traffic controllers by two years to 59.

The DGAC civil aviation authority has asked airlines to cut their schedules for flights to and from France on Wednesday by 40%.  Short-haul flights are expected to be worst affected.  "Disruption is expected over the whole country," the DGAC said in a statement.  Travellers have been advised to contact their airline.

TBR Global controllers will be made aware of any flight changes or cancellations through our platform "MY TBR" so all TBR bookings will still run smoothly. 

Further action is planned between 16-18 April and 29 April-2 May.

Third generation of the O'Hare family and Head of Events

AT TBR Global one of our most important resources is our people. We strive to to make our company a great place to work and create team spirit. But for some of our staff, TBR Global isn’t just a team game, but a family affair. Head of Events Michael Savage is the third generation of the O’Hare family to work for the company and has witnessed its every incarnation, from its early days as Charlton Chauffeur Drive, to its current worldwide reach. 

Name: Michael Savage 

Age: 30 

Job Title: Head of Events 

Favourite TBR vehicle: Mercedes S400 Hybrid 

As Head of Events for TBR Global, Michael Savage leads a multi-national team based across the world speaking half-a-dozen languages. It’s perhaps appropriate then, that upon first conversing with the 30-year-old it quickly becomes apparent Scotland is not the land of his birth. Born in Papua New Guinea before moving back to his parents’ homeland at the age of six, the Glasgow resident has been left with a unique twang that’s difficult to identify - but that he reckons facilitates global communication.

Laughing, he explains: “It’s been called Australian, it’s been called Irish, it’s been called American, I think it’s been called pretty much everything at one point. 

“Considering I’ve now lived in Scotland for more than two decades, I’d like to think the Scottish is creeping in a bit more, but it’s an interesting one.  “I notice the accent fluctuates depending on what nationality I’m speaking to. While TBR is headquartered here in Scotland, as the name suggests we operate on a truly global scale, so if I’m talking to someone in America, there’s a bit of a chameleon effect voice-wise which, psychology-wise, gives you a common ground I guess.”

But when it comes to common ground between his geographically disparate staff, one thing stands out - a commitment to quality and efficiency for their clients. Michael’s role is to take a strategic overview of the seven-strong team that are responsible for providing flawlessly managed ground transport for everything from product launches and major sporting events, to awards ceremonies and conferences. Working with a wide variety of sectors, including pharmaceutical, aviation, financial, media and entertainment, the department has grown by leaps and bounds.

Father-of-one Michael said: “Five years ago we were based around large events happening at specific times of the year. Last year we had a 90 per cent growth within the events team, this year we’re aiming for 60 per cent. The main difference is we were getting our name out there by doing these large events - the MTV Awards, Champions League, Brit Awards - and now that work is very much still there, but that’s not the regular work.  “I see that as being the cream. We’re targeting the smaller events that happen regularly so that we can maintain the same staffing levels throughout the year. “It’s targeting these companies that have conferences. Glasgow is great, because we now have the auditorium, the Commonwealth Games helped the city’s profile, and there are lots of pharma conferences that come here.”

With superlatively-trained and motivated staff able to handle everything from transfer work to managing all transport for complex events start to finish, he’s confident they’ll smash their ambitious growth target. 

But despite the team’s zeal for their work, Michael confides there’s still time for some office banter.  He said: “It’s a great team I have great confidence in. There may be laughs, but Michael is more than serious when it comes to delivering the best quality service to clients. 

A typical day starts at 7am running through yesterday’s requirements and ensuring all clients are getting a response within 15 minutes. This speedy reply isn’t just a matter of courtesy however, but a form of quality control to check the time frame the client requires a quote within. On top of that TBR go above and beyond when it comes to supplying information to the client, as Michael explains.  “We might get an email from a client asking for a price for a business class vehicle in Paris, an airport transfer and a four hour requirement," he said.

“We’ll supply them with the info they want, plus the price for a full day, the departure back, an evening hire and the additional hour in case they go outside the four or eight hour requirement. “We do this as we are used to client asking for information they want, then coming back for a little more, then a little more. “It is better time management, as well as providing the client with more than the information they need. If they indicated they need a 49-seater coach thinking they can only have that size, then we’ll give them a costing for a range of coaches in case, say, they only need 39.”

TBC

Look who has joined us now

At TBR Global, we are constantly striving to improve our service.

We know that to continue to offer the sector-leading quality that saw us recognised with the Business Travel Awards Best Ground Transportation Award 2015, you have to innovate at every opportunity - and sometimes the best place to find that innovation is outside the industry.

That's why we've appointed Sean Majewski as our new Head of Corporate Travel.

Sean comes to TBR from a hugely successful career with various travel management companies, and we're confident his customer-centric background will prove a perfect fit and boost to our company ethos of putting the client first.

Name: Sean Majewski

Age: 30

Job title: Head of Corporate Travel

Favourite TBR vehicle: BMW 7 series

For the past 15 years, Sean Majewski has been guided by one key principle.

Keep your customer happy, or don't keep your customer.

It's a simple truth realised by the 30-year-old when he first discovered his professional path - a path revealed thanks to high school work experience at a travel agent.

The Lanarkshire resident explained: "From that first day with Going Places, I was fascinated with travel and working with clients. Right away it made me realise that the highest thing you have to rank within your job is customer satisfaction.

"I joined Thomas Cook's apprenticeship scheme at 17 and that was a fantastic grounding in the importance of keeping your clients happy."

"Before too long I built up a regular customer base at Thomas Cook. They'd come back and ask for you, wait for you to be free and that was a great feeling, and a reassurance that you were doing the right thing."

To say he was doing the right thing was an understatement.

At the age of just 19 Sean was made customer services manager, running a team of people focussed on keeping clients happy - but his ambition wasn't sated there. His early 20s saw him move to American Express, giving him his first taste of corporate accounts, high-end leisure travel, and the unique pressures associated with such clients.

"Business travel is very, very demanding," he said.

"The people you're booking for, their diaries are jam-packed. It's absolutely vital that everything must be spot on, and if it's not, that it's fixed right away.

"I used to enjoy putting right any problems with the least amount of fuss possible."

"I had times when the assistant you've been working with has booked the wrong date, or wrong ticket and I had to use my contacts and experience to fix that for the customer."

"The corporate side of things was what I really enjoyed. I think it's because you never knew what you'd get from one day to the next."

"You could be doing Glasgow to London one minute, then a round-the-world, then a very detailed itinerary."

"You're always under pressure, something I thrive under. I've always really enjoyed getting what they're looking for, and getting that end product, then meeting and exceeding expectations."

Though he ruefully admits he never booked travel for anyone famous, there is one trip that stands out down the years, and one that gave him an another important lesson in the demands of corporate clients.

Sean said: "One of the more expensive trips that stand out from back then was one to Las Vegas because it was so ridiculously expensive. A husband and wife wanted to go to The Wynn Hotel. They wanted a private villa for seven nights and it was around £12,000. I remember getting the quote and thinking 'they're never in a million years gonna go for this."

"I gave them the price and she said 'let's get it booked' - I almost fell off my chair."

The experience taught Sean that what clients care about is quality and reliability of service, two of TBR's watchwords.

His ambitious nature saw him move onwards and upwards, first to Jigsaw Travel, then on to Chambers Travel where his talents saw him reach the lofty position of Strategic Relationships Manager.

Working with corporate clients at both travel management companies naturally meant dealing with everything from booking flights and accommodation, to chauffeur-drive companies, where he first came into contact with TBR.

He said: "I was always impressed with how efficient and helpful the TBR team were. When I started to look for my next opportunity, I looked at the company and the phenomenal growth they've enjoyed, and realised what an opportunity the company represented.

"I've always been very ambitious, I've never wanted to stand still, and I've always wanted to progress as much as I can within the company I'm working with, and I know TBR has huge potential. In the interview they told me the number of staff they have now compared to this time in 2014 and it's doubled in size in a year. You just need to look at it and see how it's taken massive strides and I know it'll continue to grow, and to be part of that is a brilliant opportunity."

A big chance no doubt, but also, Sean confesses as we speak during his third week in the job, a steep learning curve.

He said: "It's significantly different to what I'm used to. For a decade I was travel management so to switch to this, doing what I do now, it's completely new. The first couple of days was difficult to get used to the change I'll admit. Now I'm loving it."

To date he's been getting a grounding in his department's fundamentals, monitoring emails, replying to emails, dealing with quotes and booking in cars, giving him the knowledge he needs to effectively lead the team.

Sean said: "If I had to pick one process i've been wowed by the most by it's the control call. That's when the controller will call the client one hour before to make sure they have the right itinerary, the correct contact, correct name on the name board, the right standard of car, that they'll be on site at least 15 minutes before the required time, so just having all these steps in place to make sure the customer is getting the service they're paying for.

"The main thing is that the client will never be let down. It's very indicative of how TBR go about their business."

As well as being impressed by existing standards, he has already implemented an innovation of his own, an early alert system for clients,

He explained: "For me a very important thing is to keep the client up to date with events, whether that's airline strikes or airport closures. I've signed us up to an alert system so that if anything like that is going on I'll get an alert and if I think it'll impact the business we send that out across the globe."

This was most recently demonstrated during the tragic Tunisia Bardo Museum attack.

"I got an alert right away to say this was happening and then communicated that to our teams so they can check if that will affect our clients, our teams," he said.

"They check do we have anybody out there, do we need to give them the heads-up their transfer may be affected and so on."

We contact our clients to say 'we know this is happening, we'll keep you informed. That's because clients, especially corporate clients, they want to know We know what's happening. It's reassuring for the client that they're not calling us to say 'I've heard there's a bomb threat', it's good we can go to them and say 'we know this is going on just now, we've spoken to your driver, your pick up will go ahead as normal'.

"I think it's always good to reassure the client because there's nothing worse than if you're far away from home, in a strange city. It's part of our job to reassure them we know everything's in place and they'll be picked up as they'd expect."

Off-duty the father-of-two enjoys cooking, football and spending time with his two sons, aged three and nine.

A golfer of self-confessed meagre ability, he laughs that he doubts he'll be playing 18 holes with TBR CEO and former pro Michael O'Hare anytime soon.

But while his skills with a nine iron may be in question, his zeal for customer service is not in doubt.

He said: "I'm looking forward to making more improvements, and bringing my TMC background to the table and add more diversity to the team."

Uber’s low-cost service banned in Germany

A court in Germany has banned Uber from operating its low cost service ‘Uber Pop’ in the country because it violates transport laws.

Judges confirmed that any violation of the order would result in fines of €250,000.

Uber said “In our opinion the interim ruling pronounced by the Court represents a fundamental infringement of our ability under European law to establish and provide a service; this is why we have lodged a complaint against Germany with the European Commission. In this regard, we also expect to file an appeal against today’s decision.

“This decision also affects the thousands and thousands of riders who have come to rely on a safe, affordable way to get around town and the drivers using the Uber platform to reduce the costs of running their own vehicles,” the company added.

Spring has sprung!

It is finally spring!! March 20^th marks the first day of spring and one of the most anticipated days in Boston. With all of the snow, spring hasn’t come soon enough. We are tired of the cold weather and long for beautiful flowers to start peeking out of the snow once again. For all of you fashionistas, Get EXCITED!!  As of March 25^th, Memorial Day in the United States, we can now wear white once again! I know I’m going to jump the gun though and just wear white to celebrate on Friday.

For Basketball enthusiasts, have you been watching March Madness?? TBR Boston has been glued to the TV this week watching March Madness in action. The highly anticipated series of College Basketball games kicked off on Tuesday March 17^th. All of our brackets have been made, have yours? As the series continues and teams become fewer, make sure you book your tickets and transportation for the Final Four games in Indianapolis, IN. These games will take place at the Lucas Oil Stadium and guarantee a jam packed audience. 

The Master’s Tournament

The Master’s Tournament (April 6-12th) is held at the illustrious Augusta National Golf Course. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, this course is voted by many as the toughest course in the US. Its immaculate grounds are upheld through hard work and dedication, similar to TBR Global.

With four days of 18 holes each day, the Augusta National Golf Course is challenging to even the most tenured golfers and requires utmost concentration. TBR Global’s chauffeuring services ensure the only thing you need to concentrate on is the game. Our chauffeurs are highly qualified individuals that provide the highest level of service, worldwide.

As The Master’s is one of the most anticipated golfing events in the world, make sure you book transportation in advance. TBR Global has the vehicles and experience that you need. We offer a wide range of vehicles from premium sedans to SUVs, executive vans, and mini coaches.

For further information and booking details please contact us or email us at res@tbrglobal.com.

ITM Annual Conference 2015

Bringing a rich community of buyers and suppliers together, collaboration and motivation is high on the ITM conference 2015 agenda. The conference will offer new ways to share and engage ensuring the start of your Journey to 2020 is relevant and insightful.

ITM Annual Conference 2015

So to start of the journey right the first step is to book your transport to the ITM Annual Conference, Fairmont, St Andrews. TBR Global provides an unequalled level of quality with the finest chauffeur driven cars, worldwide to manage your travel needs to the conference.

Our premium fleet consists of the Mercedes S Class that represents the premium vehicle of choice for VIP travellers, the Mercedes Viano recognised globally as the No. 1 vehicle for VIP’s travelling in groups and Range Rovers, the vehicle of choice for the high net worth client. With over 30 years of chauffeuring clients globally we ensure that the client arrives at the venue in complete privacy and safety.

Our premium chauffeurs includes:

• Operational 24/7
• Project manager assigned
• Bilingual drivers available
• Executive coaches available
• Bottled Water
• Wi-Fi and ipads

For further information and booking transport to the ITM Annual Conference, Fairmont, St Andrews please contact us on +44 141 580 3000 or email corporate.uk@tbrglobal.com

Monday interview: Michael O’Hare, TBR Global

The Scotsman Monday interview: Michael O’Hare, TBR Global

Our CEO Michael O'Hare was interviewed by The Scotsman to talk about everything from finance, golf to ground transportation.

To read the article and find out more about Michaels past and TBR Globals growth click this link. 

Happy Holi Day

Holi is a spring festival also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love which is celebrated on the 6th of March. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia.

Now Holi is beginning to be celebrated around the world with singing, dancing and throwing powder paint and coloured water.  Perhaps next year this a festival TBR will be involved in...throwing purple and silver powder paint around ( I see a TBR purple powder paint in one of those pictures).  I'm sure the staff would have great fun but I am not sure how the CEO would feel. 

Norwegian to cancel all domestic flights

Norwegian has confirmed that all domestic flights will be cancelled today (March 5) after a pilots’ strike at its subsidiary Norwegian Air Norway.

In Sweden and Denmark, the strike will affect some of the domestic flights, while most of the flights between the Scandinavian capitals will be cancelled.

The flights between Scandinavia and USA, and Scandinavia and Thailand will not be affected.

Around 35,000 passengers are expected to be hit by the long-running dispute over pay and benefits. Pilots are demanding a collective labour agreement with parent company Norwegian Air Shuttle, instead of its local subsidiary Norwegian Air Norway, and for the same terms across the Nordic region. They went on strike after talks broke down on Saturday (February 28).

"2015 got off to a good start until the pilot strike hit us, which has influenced our traffic figures. The situation is deeply regrettable," CEO Bjoern Kjos said.

Around 650 pilots are on strike grounding many flights over the past week.

Norwegian said passengers who have registered their mobile phone numbers on their Norwegian profiles, and who are affected by the strike, will be notified via SMS from Norwegian.

“We urge all passengers to keep themselves updated via Norwegian’s website and check the flight status for information on specific routes,” the airline said.

March Madness

Despite the ground covered in snow, TBR Global is very optimistic. Spring is in the air and March vacations are fast approaching. Whether you are visiting Mexico, France or California, TBR Global is equipped with the vehicles you need. With our top notch chauffeurs, we guarantee your ride will be smooth and stress free. Have a child travelling alone for the first time, visiting relatives across state? Worry not as our drivers are all certified. Each driver goes through multiple background checks before passing the TBR inspection. Have some free time now that the kids are off? Spend a night out with your significant other and let TBR do the driving for you.

March is full of fun and games this year. Kicking off the month is the PAX East convention March 6-8^th in Boston MA. Gamers of all ages and genre crowd Boston to get a peek at the newest computer and board games. That same weekend is the AT&T American Cup in Texas. These gymnasts are bound to impress as many become US Olympic champions. Basketball’s March Madness will be in full swing this year with the first games starting on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17^th.  In addition, don’t miss out on the Annual Scottish Renewables conference this year in Scotland March 24^th & 25^Th. These events are very popular so make sure you book transportation for these events in advance.

Keep a close eye on TBR’s news and events for our upcoming insider interview series. We will be giving you a sneak peek at some of TBR’s best assets, our employees! We will be interviewing individuals from all different departments to provide you with a sense of how TBR operates. You will see why TBR is a top provider and how we came to be #1!

Interview HR part 2

We recently interviewed our HR manager, Susan Knox who has been part of the TBR team for over three years now.  Susan answered all our questions and told us about the rapid rate that the TBR team was expanding at.   As part of this growth we now have a new member of staff Nicola Divers, who is our new HR and Recruitment Assistant. 

Welcome to the TBR Global team Nicola!  Since Susan’s interview went down so well we are now going to ask you five questions so everyone can get to know a bit more about you…Don’t be scared!

1) What were you doing before you joined TBR Global?

Before I joined the HR Team at TBR Global, I was in Human Resources for Hilton Glasgow for two and a half years.  I worked at the hotel for 6 and a half years in total, supporting myself through my studies working in Room Service and then as Restaurant Supervisor.

2) Did you always plan to be involved in HR?

Not at all! My degree is in Travel and Tourism Management and I always wanted to go into the transport industry: so I suppose I’ve now achieved that goal in a very roundabout way.  At one point I was convinced I was going to work behind the scenes for TfL or SPT and then I was sure I was going to be an Air Traffic Controller!  I did have a good understanding of HR through my studies however, and when the opportunity came up to go into HR with Hilton it was a chance I couldn’t pass on and I wouldn’t change that decision for the world, I love it!  My real passion is Learning and Development – I love to see the changes in people as they grow into their roles and am always proud to be part of helping them get there.

3) What is unique about working at TBR Global?

Because the Head Office here is relatively small, everyone knows each other, which is just lovely, it means that we have a really open and supportive atmosphere.  I hope that as the Company expands we hang on to that “family feeling” as it’s what makes it special and certainly one of the things that attracted me to the business.  The leadership team here genuinely want their people to succeed and are always trying to support and reward their team members, so I’m sure we’ll keep that atmosphere alive throughout our growth.

4) At the end of an interview when you ask “Do you have any questions”, what do you like to hear?

Something relevant: I like when a candidate asks questions, but not something way off-topic.

I think it’s always nice when someone asks something based on the interview itself – to explain that I mean not just a generic question, but something that’s come up through the course of the interview.  Not everyone can do that and it shows adaptability and initiative. 

5) How do you relax when not working?

Ha!  The chance would be a fine thing.  I love to read and I play the piano (which is excellent stress relief) but I’m planning a wedding right now so I feel like that’s where most of my extra time is going.  I do try to make time to chill on a Friday night with my fiancé, with a bit of telly or a film and a nice glass of red wine and I love to spend time with my friends and family on weekends.  I’ve a huge family so getting round them all is a mission and a half in itself.

Thanks Nicola!  Who will we target next in the TBR Global team??

What type of tire should you buy?

As we truck through the winter blues, one of the foremost questions on our minds is Will my car make it through the snow? How do you know which tire to choose?  TBR Global has some tips as to what type of tire to buy. 

All Season Tires:

All-season tires are great for… you guessed it! All seasons! Most vehicles come equipped with these tires when first purchased. When using all-season tires, the vehicle is easy to handle and offers a comfortable ride. These tires are able to handle the wet, snow, and sunny weather. However, there is a compromise. These tires can handle only a “little bit” of each type of weather. If you live in a heavily snowy or rainy area, these may not be the tires for you.

Winter Tires:

If you live in an area that experiences a heavy amount of snow during the course of the year, winter tires may be a good choice for your vehicle. Winter tires provide greater grip strength in the snow and ice, making the vehicle easier to handle. The grip strength helps to prevent spin outs and sliding through stop signs. We would suggest anyone in our Boston office to have a set of winter tires this week! Please note, however, that drivers should keep a greater distance from cars in inclement weather and to use their best judgment while driving.

High Performance/ Summer Tires:

Summer tires are perfect for hot summer months when the sun is shining and you want the wind in your hair. These tires provide a very smooth ride and are ideal for high performance vehicles. These tires are best in terms of accuracy and quick response time. Not only do they make for a very smooth ride, but they also tend to be quieter and look nice too!

The Future of tires:

Hopefully with the help of engineering masterminds, tires will encompass all of our needs in one tire. With Hankook’s newest concept tires, the future may be closer than we think. Hankook has designed a set of 3 sci-fi looking tires that morph depending on what type of terrain you are driving on. The first tire, Boostrac, is focused on loose pavement and dirt like roads. The second tire, Alpike, is focused on snowy conditions. Finally, the third tire, Blade, is focused on water applications. These tires were on display at the 2014 Essen Motors Show in December. Hopefully the Alpike tire is manufactured soon to help our Boston office in their Blizzard weather!

Please remember, all vehicles need specific tires. Please consult your local tire retailer before purchasing tires!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Show

Join TBR Global this week at the Mercedes Benz Fashion show in New York. Taking place February 11^th- 19^th, designers from around the world have come to New York to showcase their fall wardrobe. The show will be featuring well known designers such as BCBGMAXAZRIA, Lacoste and Nicole Miller, to name a few. This highly anticipated fashion show is taking place at the Lincoln Center in Manhattan’s upper west side. For those of you planning travel in the area, add an extra few minutes to account for traffic. Rumor has it this will be the last show at the Lincoln Center for the Fashion Show. We are waiting in anticipation to see where the fall show will be taking place!

Another event this week, in a warmer climate, is the Miami Boat Show. This show will begin February 12^th and run until February 16^th. Attendees will have a selection of 3 locations to start from; the Miami Beach Convention Center, The Sea Isle Marina or the Miamarina at Bayside. Please instruct your driver which you would like to start at! The Miami Boat show is one of the world’s leading boat shows, featuring over 3,000 boats and 2,000 exhibitors from around the world. Showcasing the newest gadgets and vehicles, this show is bound to impress even the most seasoned sailors.

While all of these shows are taking place, make sure you remember your Valentine! Saturday is Valentine’s Day, so don’t forget to purchase your chocolate and flowers. TBR is celebrating in style with handmade hearts decorating the office. Be sure to book your transportation to dinner in advance! Our sleek vehicles are the perfect way to surprise your date. Enjoy a luxurious ride to dinner and, if you are in the North East, ignore your snow piled car for one more day.

First Class TBR filming with Emirates

The feedback we have had from TBR customers who have travelled business and first class with Emirates has been beyond exceptional, the service and experience received from Emirates has been a highlight for some of our customer’s travels. We thought it would be a great idea to create a video to let all of our TBR customers experience what it is like to travel with Emirates business or first class flight.

We owe a massive amount of gratitude to the staff and management at Glasgow International Airport for allowing us to film this Emirates experience. Our video is not complete just yet but I have written a short piece below just too wet your appetite for the unveiling of the full video which is coming soon.

When Emirates customers book business or first class from Glasgow airport then they are chauffeured to and from the airport by us, TBR Global. Our first shot was capturing all the TBR vehicles arriving at the Emirates chauffeur drop off area.  Our pristine vehicles stood out with the TBR registration plates and smart chauffeurs.  Watching the luxury Mercedes E class and S class arrive in one after the other was a spectacular sight.  However, the Mercedes M class stood out for me with its impressive build and bright head lights it was hard not to keep your eyes off it.

Next up was lunch in the £2million Emirates Luxurious lounge at Glasgow Airport.  Once you have seen this you will never want to travel economy again.  The Emirates Lounge is an area dedicated to their customers who fly business and first class with them.  The lounge has a range of Scottish products, including smoked salmon from Loch Fyne, beers from Bellhaven Brewery and the Highland single malt whisky Glenmorangie.

The highlight of the day was going air side and filming the emirates plane landing in from Dubai.  To be able to walk all around the plane and speak to the staff finding out what their role entails was a bonus.  We also got to go onto the plane to take some photos before the passengers arrived.

If you can’t wait until the video is launched go to our Facebook page and see some behind the scenes footage (http://tinyurl.com/nkde8dr).  We have a night filming shoot coming up next week so be sure to come back and see any of the pictures and videos we get from then.

Snow doesn't stop the Patriots!

New Englander’s beware! More snow is predicted for this weekend. With two large snowstorms within the past two weeks, TBR Global would like to remind drivers to be extra cautious on the roads. Winter storms Juno and Linus have piled snow high - almost 3 feet total in some areas. Visibility around corners is limited and with more snow to come, tempers are running high. When booking with TBR, we suggest using a larger vehicle during days that more snow is predicted. This will allow for a higher clearance from the snow and provide your executives with a smoother ride. In addition, TBR will suggest earlier pickup times if we foresee a problem with the weather. No matter the condition, we will get you safely to your destination.

Despite all of the snow, the New England Patriots successfully brought the Vince Lombardi trophy to Boston. TBR Global’s Boston office watched in excitement as the Duck Boats drove down Boylston Street and over the Marathon finish line. Rob Gronkowski was quite adorable sporting his Minion hat. There is some debate over whether Tom Brady’s son (Benjamin), Julian Edelmen, or Rob Gronkowski stole the show on Wednesday. Let us know what you think! Comment on our Facebook page as to whether Benjamin’s adorable trophy kiss, Edelmen’s awesome dance or Gronkowski’s Minion party hat stole the show.

For those of you not venturing out in the snow, be sure to tune in to the 57th Grammy Awards on Sunday February 8th. This anticipated event is sure to entertain with performances by Mary J.  Blige, Sam Smith and Sia, to name a few. There is a big debate in our Boston office as some are rooting for the dreamy voiced Sam Smith while others prefer the diva Iggy Azalea. If anyone is in the Los Angeles area, please be advised there will be an increase in traffic around the Staples arena due to the Grammys. Plan your trips with extra time to spare. If you happen to be joining our chauffeurs in Los Angeles, enjoy the warm weather! 

TBR Global is rooting for the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks!

TBR Global is rooting for the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks this weekend as the NFL Super Bowl XLIX kicks off! Whether you are travelling to the game in Arizona or headed to a friend’s house, TBR Global is there to get you home safe and sound. This game is guaranteed to be very intense as the former 2014 Super Bowl Champion Seahawks take on the three time Super Bowl championship pair Bill Belichick and Tom Brady of the Patriots.

Clients from around the world are travelling with TBR Global to watch this historic event. We will ensure there is plenty of water stocked up to appease any buffalo wing tortured tongues. For those watching from home, we can’t wait to hear which commercial is your favorite! Will it be the classic beer commercial? Or maybe a new spunky talking baby?

For non-sports fans, Katy Perry is bound to keep you entertained during the half time show. We wonder how her entourage keeps their vehicles spotless. Are they ever able to remove all of her glitter? Or does it just add to the sparkle and shine of their vehicles? TBR Global has no need of glitter to dazzle our customers with the cleanliness of our vehicles. Our vehicles are constantly cleaned and maintained to provide the best ride possible.

Don’t forget to root for your favorite puppy! A favorite among pet lovers, the Puppy Bowl is a highly anticipated show offered as an alternative to the Super Bowl. Puppies from across the United States are placed in an arena to battle for the Puppy Bowl championship! Their fierce game names and loveable faces are a hard contender for television time during the Super Bowl.

TBR Global wishes all Super Bowl watchers a safe and exciting weekend! We hope you enjoy the game and remember to arrive home safely. We will be wearing our lucky suits and watching in great anticipation! Go Patriots! Go Seahawks!