If it's not sheer apathy, what is it?
Jon Hartley pulls no punches on the apathy of some in the coach industry
Imagine, if you will, if only one RAF Hurricane fought in the Battle of Britain, or there was only one suffragette, or one miner complained about the wholesale closure of his industry, or only one person demonstrated outside parliament against Mrs Thatcher’s Poll Tax.
What do you think would have happened, if anything?
Exactly, nothing. (Actually quite a bit, but you get my drift).
It is alleged that Britain is a democracy, lead by a Prime Minister whose government was elected by the people to represent our wishes. Clearly this doesn’t work all of the time, but in general we are happy with this system, and it is better than any alternatives.
Any group of people have more clout than one person, and the bigger the group, the bigger the clout. These folk are you and me, individuals with individual thoughts and needs, yet we get together when we agree on opinions to badger those in power, or anybody else who doesn’t see things as we do. Democracy allows for this, as we are free to vote as we wish in anything from choosing a pub quiz team to Parliament itself, and we can even demonstrate in public within the confines of the law.
Many of you reading this will be members of an organisation which you feel represents your own thoughts and needs, and perhaps may even ‘fight your corner’ in dealing with anything from purchasing diesel or hotel services in bulk, to making representations to government both in the UK and Europe. Rather than leaving it to others, you have decided to act, to support your industry, to support your colleagues , and to be kept in touch with legislation – and even try to influence it. You are rightly proud of your actions, to such an extent you will include their individual logo’s in your brochures to show others that you do not sit on the fence and let others do it all, but are proud to be members of the CPT, CTC, GBCO, CITO, BAWTA, or whatever – Good for you, you have done your bit.
Or have you?
Now this next bit is not aimed at those of you who attend their organisations meetings, AGM’s, or who are active within their chosen organisations to some extent or other, as time permits. After all you are running a business too, and that has to take precedence over travelling (at times) several hundred miles for a two hour meeting. We have families too, and other obligations that quite legitimately would prevent our attendance, but you do what you can to support your beliefs, and are active even in a small way to support your chosen organisation.
What I do not understand are the members who do nothing, attend nothing, support nothing, yet are still quite happy to send your membership cheque off once a year, and to show off the logo in your brochure. You may suggest that by being a member you actually are showing support, and there is merit in that argument, but not to have any input at all? What’s the point?
I simply don’t get it. I can understand you being a member of the CPT or CTC (or both), as both are erstwhile organisations fighting our corner, and keeping us fully briefed in legislation, training, and a myriad of other member benefits (if not a member, a look at their respective websites will show you what you are missing). The CTP recently requested members to write to them to substantiate claims that some community transport operators were acting outside the remit of Section 19. What did they get? Two responses, which as Steve Whiteway, the CPT President states, is “....hardly the epidemic of illegality alleged”. What chance did the CPT have of changing anything if only two people contact them?
Why be a member and not participate in anything? Not getting your opinions and views over, not using the services offered – often free of charge, not meeting other industry professionals and advisors, not meeting fellow operators, not meeting industry suppliers, and not gaining knowledge that could well benefit you, your company, and your profits.
I just don’t get it, or is it me? Am I missing something? Are you a member for other reasons I don’t see? Perhaps you are a member of that silent majority who accepts that what will be, will be, and goes along with it not making any waves. Now that I can – to a certain extent – understand, as not everyone likes to stick their head over the trenches to get it shot at, or even likes to join in public debate, but at least you are there showing your support.
Luckily for us there were many brave pilots who fought our corner, many suffragettes to get the government to change its views, and Mrs T was left in no doubt what the miners thought about her plans, or the general public thought about Poll Tax. OK, these are the extremes, and it the case of the miners hardly successful, but it was people power and bravery in the face of adversity, and power that overcame overwhelming odds.
Almost anything is possible when enough people make waves. It may start as a ripple, but as more and more join in can become a torrent, and be enough to change plans, methods, and even laws.
Those committee members of these organisations are willing to be seen to be active, and should be congratulated not only on giving up their time for our benefit, but also for willing to put their head over the barricade, and fighting on our behalf.
Fighting too stronger a word? I think not, for in many cases they are against the ‘establishment’, and have to try to persuade ‘them’ to see the error of their ways through what must seem a never ending procession of telephone calls, letters, emails, and meetings. They have to deal with people who like the idea of coach travel – for others – but don’t understand it. They like the idea that it is a green method of travel, which is very ‘in’ and PC, and in resort and destination examples they love the passengers we bring, but don’t seem to grasp the idea we have to drop them off and pick them up in a locally convenient spot, and have to park somewhere secure and safe for both the coach and driver. The members of these committees face this struggle with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism, and their passion for success and the coaching industry are showing successes.
Yes, by being a member of one or more of these organisations you are showing support, and providing some of the much needed funds enabling the work to continue, but could you do a little more?
It is so disheartening to plan and organise a social activity, AGM, Regional Meeting or other event and to see so few members present. As stated, of course many have business or family commitments, but I urge you to support any event if you possibly can and you never know, you may even enjoy and benefit from it!
It is often said that we are a fragmented industry, with little conclaves of operators getting on very well locally – sharing and helping each other as needed, or perhaps you are an operator who likes to operate totally within your own shell, but without these organisations we are nothing. We would continue to work to the rules and regulations of those who may control but at times do not fully understand, and to those who plan, but rarely ask an opinion or take our needs into account. That was how it was, but not how it is. Part of the problem, as I see it, is that some operators are quite happy to reap the benefits of having the CPT and CTC fight their corner, but will not even become members to enable this to continue and progress.
This can’t be apathy can it?
The definition of apathy is the absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement, or showing lack of interest or concern for things others find moving or exciting.
Mmm. This doesn’t quite fit, so what word would you use? Coldness, coolness, detachment, disinterest, dispassion, dullness, emotionlessness, halfheartedness, heedlessness, indifference, insensibility, insensitivity, insouciance, lethargy, listlessness, passiveness, passivity, stoicism, unconcern, unresponsiveness.
Well that is what my thesaurus gave me, and I might suggest that indifference may fit, so what can be done to attract new members, and get present members to be more active, or for that matter, get more operators to be members in the first place?
Now I like a bargain, and I do not think I am alone in this, and if I part with money (a very rare occurrence) I expect something in return. The organisations mentioned already offer some quite good incentives to join them, but I have to wonder if some of the supplier members – should they really be group friendly – couldn’t add to this by offering something of their own? Some already do offer some great introductions to their respective services or whatever, and we all know how much we like to visit or experience something before sending clients to it, or how much benefit legal or public relations advice can be, so come on you suppliers – just how Group Friendly are you? Why not offer a realistic incentive for members of certain organisations not only to induce membership, but to introduce new people to your product or services. This can be tricky, as no-one wants ‘same as, same as’, it has to be something special, something different, something people will want, people will like, and will still show your product or services off to their best. Now there’s a real challenge for you!!
Now for the AGM’s and Conferences we are all expected to attend, held in resplendent hotels somewhere in the UK.
I do not think we could expect these organisations to match a car or chemical manufacturer and fly folk to some exotic spot to enjoy world class cabaret and food under floodlit palm trees, but perhaps we could do better than at present.
If it has to be in the UK, why in the depths of winter, why during half term, and why midweek? Is it a ‘must go to’ event? Are the speakers inspiring? Do suppliers get value? Do members get value – and should they be charged at all (or at least get a really good discount).
OK, no palm trees, but let’s look at something so special you just have to go and join in, so why not start with a blank piece of paper and look at just why people would come, what they want from it (the event – whatever it is), and why it will become the industry standard for years to come as THE event to attend, to learn, to be entertained, and to benefit. (and not to be ripped off by parking and bar prices!!)
Not easy is it? The venue alone has to accommodate say 200 people, many in single room accommodation, it has to have at least a large conference room plus anti rooms, plus ballroom for entertainment (unless they are adept in quick changes with the one room), and all for a coach friendly rate. Mmmm.
This could call for major sponsorship, possibly a country? If so, who? What do you think?
Do not read into this something which isn’t there! This is not a criticism of anything that has gone before, just thoughts on where it might go from now. I keep harping on about innovation, so why not innovate from the top, or even unite (not a good word to use at BA at the moment) and have the joint CPT/CTC Conference at the same time and location at BAWTA, CITO etc? A logistical nightmare of a time table to work out, but at least ‘we’ are all in one place at the same time, and the meetings do not have to be on the same day(s).
Entertainment would be just that – a great speaker or show, a sponsored bar would be just that, free, the guest speakers would benefit, advise, and amuse, and all at a cost that suppliers can take on board, and members can afford. Sponsorship from bacon butties at midnight to the Gala Dinner would be available, along with anything else from named napkins to balloon flights!!
Now that is enough from me, and forgive me rattling along, but my excuse is that for forty years I have been restrained from passing comment about anything, and spent umpteen days attending some of the most awful tradeshows, conferences, and Heaven knows what, mixed in with the occasional sparkle of light from great events.
This is your chance to tell the world what you really think – I am sure the Editor will omit your name and company if you wish, but unless you let our Powers that Be what you want, things will not change.
