Ivon Williams

ProfessorSusan Fox-Wolfgramm

Management 2000

June 29, 2016

 

Trans International Inc.

            Trans International Inc. is a company thatprovides a luxurylimousine service transportation within Oahu, Hawaii. The company offers a wide range of services for special occasions like weddings, proms, pleasure, airport transportation and other events. Trans International provides a professional, reliable and on time service to its national and international customers with the quality they deserve. The company’s mission is to get clients to their destination on time or earlier and to make sure they will be completely comfortable.Trans International Inc. is located in 1610 Kanunu St. #A-1. Honolulu, HI 96814. The company has beenoperating successfully in Oahu for over 15 years. The company’s founder and CEO is Mr. Syed Ali. Trans International Inc. is a For-profit organization that provides a service to its clients. The company website is: www.transinternationalusa.com

When Mr. Ali moved to Hawaii he worked in different hourly wage jobs but always had an entrepreneur mind set and he was looking for new opportunities for a product or service and it was there when he created Trans International Inc. He firsts started buying one limousine that he booked and derivedhimself. As time passed he was able to raise more capital and acquired more vehicles, today Tarns International has 15 luxury limousines in its inventory and are usually booked 7 days a week.  The company also has 17 employees and depending on the season the company also require more employees or part time employees giving more opportunities to the people in Hawaii. Mr. Ali told me that it wasn’t an easy process and there where many challenges, ups and downs but he was able continue grow his company thanks to the people he has on his team and to his family.

I interviewed Mr. Ali on June 17, we schedule an Interview at 2:00 pm. My first impression of M. Ali is that he is a person always willing to help and mentor others no matter who they were. Before I started the interview I also wanted to know about his educational background. Mr. Ali was born in Pakistan, he attended to elementary a middle school in his country but later moved to Japan with his family where he finish high school and learned Japanese and English. He wasn’t able to attend college because he was working and had to help and provide for his family but he learned about business, management, accounting, policies, law and more during the process.

Interview:

1.     What is Trans International competitive advantage?

We really go above and beyond to meet our pickups and drop offs on time, for the company been on time is the most important thing and it separate us from other companies. If for any reason one of the cars is not able to get to a location, we will send another car just so we can be sure there will be a car assure for that client. 90% of our clients are Japanese and since I grew up in Japan I understand the standards of Japanese clients and we work hard to meet them. Some of my stuff are bilingual Japanese and English giving our clients confidence that they will be able to communicate without a problem.

(Chapter 1, The Exceptional Manager. Managing for Competitive Advantage page 11)

 

2.     Do you have foreign-born employees, what are some of the challenges working with diversity?

About half of my employees are foreign-born. For some of my office stuff Japanese language is required and those employees are Japanese but some others positions in the company do not require Japanese and are field with local employees. Working with diversity is very interesting because every employee has something to offer to the company however, sometimes is challenging trying to implement new ways to operate. Some cultures are very resistance to changes and it take time for those employees to understand why we need to change the way we operate.

(Chapter 1, The Exceptional Manager. Managing for Diversity page 13)

 

3.     How did you start planning Trans International? Did you have business plan?

I saw a business opportunity living in Hawaii. Hawaii economy is based on tourism and transportation was always important for tourists specially when is an important event. My first goal was to saved enough money to be able to put down a payment to buy the first car, I wanted to starts a limo business here in Hawaii.

(Chapter 5, Planning. Planning: Coping with Uncertainty)

 

4.     How do you reviewemployee’sperformance? Do you have any rewards for outstanding employees?

I have a close work relationship with all the employees and they understand what needs to be meet in order to operate the business. Most of the employees have been with the company for a while and they are familiar with the operations. I try to meet with each employee individually and we go over what needs to be done how we can do thing better and I let them know also all the positive and negative feedback from clients.  One of the rewards the drivers have is that one I received very good feedback from clients they are able to get more hours. I also have company gatherings where I invite all my employees and their families in appreciation.

(Chapter 5, Planning. Management by Objectives: The four step process for motivating employees).

 

5.     Does Tarns International only offer a single product or service?  Do you plan to add any other service to you company?

The company only offers transportation services; we focus only in provide the beast experience to our clients. We work together with other companies within Hawaii and support each other. We usually get business from wedding companies for example, and when a client contacts us first and need information about other services we refer our clients to them because we also know they are responsible. We keep good business relationships with other companies in Hawaii, is the way you keep small businesses in your community.

(Chapter 6, Strategic Management. Single-Product Vs Diversification Strategy)

 

6.     How do youimplement a strategy in your company?

There are many factors that are important when you are trying to

implement a new plan. In my personal experience people first are

resistantto change, they are used to do things one way and sometimes it

is hardto change it. The best way is to prepare, train and to communicate

clearly with your staff. For example, we have drivers in our company that

have been with us for many years, we wanted to implement GPS systems

in our vehicles andsome of them didn’t understand the need for it since

they know Hawaii roads very well. But through training they can better

understand how can GPS systems will improve our service.

(Chapter 6, Strategic Management. Implementing the strategy page

180).

 

7.     The Three Core Processes of Business: People, Strategy and Operations. Do you agree? How does it work within your company?

Yes, it is always good when you have good relationship with your employees. I really try to encourage them with my story and to inspire them to grow professionally. I am very honest with them.  I want them to trust my decisions and I want them to learn from my experience, the good and the bad of having a business. My employees are very important to me and I am always approachable and open for ideas or anything they bring to me, at times conversations get more personal and I get to learn more about their personal lifes.

Sometimes it takes more effort for people to understand new strategies but ultimately things get done. Is very important to be clear when you are assigning tasks, who is going to do it, what is the person going to do, why and when needs to be done. 

(Chapter 6, Strategic Management.7. The Three Core Processes of Business: People, Strategy and Operations).

 

8.     How do you recruit applicants for job openings in your company?

Usually, I get people referred to me through other companies we maintain business relations and through internal recruiting. Because, some of the jobs are seasonal, if at any given moment I need more drivers for example, I can easily call them to work again. Sometime I have to drive (the limousines) myself if I have to.

When hiring people, I am very strict. I pay close attention to the voice and the tone. I want to hire people that will be also soft, polite and act very professional with my clients. After I select somebody, a driver for instance, we run all the background checks necessary for the job.

(Chapter 9, Human Recourse Management. Recruitment: How to Attract Qualified Applicants).

 

9.     One of the most common uncomfortable situations of a manager is having to dismiss an employee. How do you handle this?

Ivon, that is the hardest thing for me. Hiring is very easy but firing in the other hand is very hard. Specially because if I fired an employee is for a strong reason. I give people plenty of chances.

Because the nature of our business is based on tourism and wedding seasons we downsize through some times during the year when tourism goes down in Hawaii. Those employees are aware they will not have the same amount of work all year round and they know there will be times they will have less time or nothing at all. But everything is explained to them from the first interview.

(Chapter 9, Human Recourse Management. Dismissal: Moving out of the Organization).

 

10.             You mention before that communication is very important, how do you make sure communication with your employees and in your company is clear and effective?

Communication with your employees is the only way you can maintain a healthy work relationship. An effective and clear communication with people will save you many misunderstandings.  Not only with your employees but also with your clients.

I try to be as much available and approachable as I can for my employees, I want to know what they need to success and I want them to know what is that I need from then in order to achieve our company goals. I travel a lot because I have other business I have to take care overseas, but I always keep my phone in case someone needs to reach me.  

(Chapter 15, Interpersonal and Organizational Communication. The communication Process: What It Is, HowIt Works).

 

Summary:

 

This Interview was very interesting and encouraging to me. I have been influenced by Mr. Ali in many ways. Mr. Ali has taught me the importance to establish and maintain business relationships in your community. Also, the importance of being involve in every aspect of planning and developing strategies in the company. One of the things I noticed is that as a business owner and CEO Mr. Ali takes into consideration all employees’ ideas and customers feedback.

 

From this interview I learn that managers need to be aware of all behaviors, attitudes and values of employees. Managing for diversity brings many positive and interesting advantages to a company. The interview with Mr. Ali showed me that managers need to develop ways to keep employees engaged and enthusiastic at work.  From this interview and also from this course I learned that management is not only designating daily tasks to employees but to create and designed efficient workflows that are tailor to different types of employees. Managers like Mr. Ali work every day to make sure every employee and customer are taking care off because as he said in this interview they will take care of the business as well and without them companies wouldn’t succeed.

 

Attachments:

• 1502123918-Trans International. .docx