Happy success of grumpy staff

Having fun is serious business for the team at Grumpy's Limo, winner of the Rotorua District Council Emerging Business of the Year 2011.

Grumpy and Pam Flashoff have been transporting people around Rotorua and to other regions since the business launched in May last year with just one vehicle. Now they have six vehicles and more staff, but the philosophy is still the same.

"We pick up strangers and drop off friends. And we literally go the extra mile."

Grumpy told The Daily Post clients were often surprised by the "sweet and sour" juxtaposition of the company name and its big, yellow, smiley-face logo ... and the corresponding smiles on the faces of the drivers. But that's all part of the Grumpy's Experience.

"Anybody can pick people up and drop them off. We take them the scenic route and explain everything to them on the way. The driver really is part of the experience and it's all great fun."

Whether they are taking visitors for private tours around the district's sights and activities, picking cruise passengers up from the Port of Tauranga, transporting people to and from airports or doing the driving for groups on wine tours of the Hawkes Bay, the focus is firmly on fun.

"We don't go to work, we go to play - that's the Grumpy's way."

And that is paying off for Grumpy's, with the Flashoffs reporting significant repeat business.

"We have clients who use us the whole time they are here. We pick them up from the airport, take them everywhere for three or four days, then drop them back at the airport. It's great, you really get to know them."

The Grumpy's way has been instilled in all staff and Grumpy said each individual then puts their own touch on their tours.

"They don't work for us, they work with us and there is a great atmosphere. That's how we succeed - by enjoying what we do."

Winning the award has only reinforced that success, with the company attracting new attention. But the couple are wary of growing too fast.

"The next year is going to be one of consolidation and ensuring everything we do, we do to the best of our ability and with some profitability."

While Grumpy said entering the awards had been time consuming for a smaller company with limited staff resources, the results had been "fantastic" and very beneficial for the business.

"It is all very positive and that's what we try to be. If we are having fun, so are our clients," said Mrs Flashoff.