DIAMOND Dialog G r o w i n g To g e t h e r.
SPRING 2016
Cashless in Seattle Three key issues are spearheading the move to cashless parking. First and foremost, mobile smart phones have revolutionized daily life. They are the ultimate multifunctional devices that can do almost everything for us. Second, fewer and fewer consumers carry coins or cash because turning your purse or briefcase inside out trying to find the right change can be a pain especially if it’s raining, windy or both. And, third, is that cashless parking reduces lost revenue due to theft, fraud and eliminates the need for attendants to spend valuable time checking lots, collecting, counting and depositing cash. “It’s a huge savings,” notes Joe Koontz, City Manager, Seattle Self-Park Operations. Seattle Self-Park Operations went totally cashless in November of 2015. Joe says the benefits were immediate. “Our customers can pay for parking using their mobile phones without ever leaving the comfort and security of their vehicles.” Joe says another advantage of going cashless is that customers can easily extend their parking session by mobile phone if a meeting or errand runs long. He adds that they also receive an alert on their phone when they’re parking session is about to expire.
GOING CASHLESS ur Pay with yo e smartphon
Diamond Parking customers pay for their parking using the “Call2Park” app, one of our industry’s leading mobile apps.
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We hope you enjoy reading our latest newsletter INSIDE THIS ISSUE - Cashless Payments - Self-Storage World Expo - Ahead of the Curve - Investing in Community - Going the Extra Mile
Canadian Corner Investing in Community Diamond Parking Vancouver BC’s team of Mike Poirier, Mindip Janda, and Suraya Tabesh, were “center court,” so to speak at the Jewish Community Centers (JCC) Annual Sports dinner and auction at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Attended by nearly 1,000 of Vancouver’s top executives and sports enthusiasts, the event celebrates professional and local athletes and raises funds that allow the JCC to continue to provide social, cultural, recreational and educational programming to children, seniors, and families. “It is a true privilege to be a corporate sponsor of one of Vancouver’s most prestigious fundraisers,” says Mike. He adds, “Diamond has managed JCC’s parking operations for 10 years and our corporate sponsorship gives us a unique opportunity to support our client’s interests as well as a means of giving back to the community.” Charles Barkley, the former NBA great and current analyst on the television program Inside the NBA, was the keynote speaker, and says Mike, “the Round Mound of Rebound (as he refers to himself) was gracious to join our team for a group photo.”
Director of Business Development Suraya Tabesh, Area Manager Mindip Janda, former NBA Basketball great Charles Barkley, Vice President of Operations, British Columbia, Mike Poirier
Photos by: Jocelyne Hallé
Going the Extra Mile – Exceeding Customer Expectations Brian Evans — “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right,” states Brian Evans, Diamond Parking’s Area Manager in the Seattle Attended Division. Brian says his approach to providing excellent customer service starts from the point of view of the customer. “I always imagine myself on the other end of the conversation. I make sure I am courteous and take time to listen and experience. customer service at re G answer questions in a patient manner.” at the garage in Parked today Brian says that with any question, big Seattle. I didn’t 5 Fourth Ave., 92 ing or small, he has a unique opportunity re visitor park understand whe office e th to interact with a customer and leave a hen I called was located. W ular positive impression. When Brian found out tand the partic to better unders provided that he was being interviewed for Dialog, garage, Brian situation in that e. Just he expressed surprise. “I don’t need the customer servic me with great spotlight to shine on me. I do the best I can meone know! wanted to let so every day.“ Customer letters like this one o, Candi McHug confirm that Brian’s approach to exceeding fee Company Starbucks Cof customers expectations is working.
Brian Evans, Area Manager, Seattle Attended Division
from the
President’s Desk Self-Storage Expo Draws Record Crowds
Look anywhere these days, and you will see growing evidence of a shift toward a cashless economy. Behind this trend is the smart phone. We can shop, pay our bills, schedule
Jon Diamond
transactions, manage all of our finances and pay for parking wherever we are simply with the ease of our smart phones. Today, digital mobile wallets allow consumers to store their web passwords, software license keys, credit and debit card numbers in their smart phones, in essence creating their own mobile digital database. Advances in telecommunication technology have meant that the population has a level of
The 2016 Inside Self-Storage World Expo (ISS Expo) was held recently at the Paris Hotel in downtown Las Vegas. Aaron Turner, Diamond Parking’s Director of Parking Operations, was on hand to interface with exhibitors, network with leading industry experts and attend dynamic workshops. “There’s tremendous growth happening in the self-storage industry right now,” says Aaron. For example, “the need for self storage at Diamond’s Anchorage, Salt Lake City and Spokane storage operations is stronger than ever.” Moving into the peak season of June through October, Aaron says that Diamond’s storage facilities in all three cities are at or above 90 percent. Additionally, Aaron points to the record-setting crowds at the ISS Expo as proof positive that the industry is striving toward new heights. “Storage is the fastest growing economic sector of commercial real estate as well as personal property. New development is underway all over the world. It’s an excellent time to be in self-storage.” Now in its 25th year, the ISS Expo aims to inspire, energize and reward participants with the knowledge and confidence to make smart, profitable decisions whether building a new operation or reinvigorating an existing one. Before joining Diamond Parking in the fall of 2015, Aaron spent 14 years Walgreen’s.
connectedness and convenience never seen before. That’s why at Diamond we are striving toward cashless parking. We want to make it as easy and convenient as possible for our customers to pay for their parking via smart phones. We know that cashless transactions allow our customers to pay for their parking from the comfort of their cars. Additionally, the time taken to pay for parking electronically is usually under a minute – far less than needed to leave the security of your vehicle to walk to a
Aaron Turner, Director of Parking Operations
pay box to purchase a ticket. With the number of smart phone users in the U.S. estimated to reach 207.2 million in 2016, and in an age in which coins and cash are used less and less, the future of cashless parking looks assured.
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Ahead of the Curve Chuck Harvison Success in finding and purchasing the right property for parking or real estate investment, states Chuck Harvison, Diamond’s City Manager of Eugene, Oregon, begins by mapping out an action plan. “First and foremost establishing parameters and filling in key answers to critical questions is my top priority,’ states Chuck. For example, Chuck wants to know what is the expected return? Are the key players at the table? How motivated are the sellers? “Multi-tenant properties with strong tenant histories and current leases that are not going to expire are prime examples of properties that fit Diamond’s current portfolio and investment philosophy,” notes Chuck. Chuck adds that geographic areas play
Cashless in Seattle
Chuck Harvison, City Manager, Eugene OR
“First and foremost establishing parameters and filling in key answers to critical questions is my top priority in mapping out an action plan.”
an important role in locating and pursuing a purchase. “Diamond favors downtown locations because they thrive when economic times are good and rebound the fastest when the economy is recovering.” Chuck is quick to point out that Diamond is always looking for ways to invest in the local community. A fact that is reinforced by Diamond’s President, Jon Diamond. “When we buy,” notes Jon, “we want to hold. We are not developers. We rely on our city managers like Chuck to build relationships and rapport with property owners, business and community leaders and brokers that will lead to long term successful purchases and partnerships. That’s what keeps Diamond ahead of the curve.”
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“When you begin to add up the benefits,” states Jon Diamond, President of Diamond parking, “such as the ability for our parkers to add parking time wherever they are or increasing services to the customers of our landlords and property owners as well as creating extra time for our attendants to keep our parking facilities clean, well lit and safe, it’s easy for us to see why cashless parking is the future.”
When parking, save time and avoid the rain! 4 Create a FREE account o 4 Enter Location Code and License Plate o 4 Select Parking Time and Rate o 4 Confirm your purchase with your PIN o To get started, call 877-647-4707 or visit www.calltopark.com
– 1 90 0 L O CAT I ONS – 1 54 ,89 3,7 98 Combine d Hours of Ex per ienc e –
Diamond Feedback
Diamond Anniversaries We want to congratulate those employees who are celebrating 10 or more years with Diamond Parking. Thank you for your dedication! 20+ Years Elpidio Tabalbag Herman F. Raap Belay Assefa
Seattle Attended Coeur D’Alene Seattle Attended
26 years 22 years 21 years
15+ Years Redi Zeray Sergey V. Verkhovodov Solomon Tekeste Alfredo Andrada Aster Zersenai Gebreyesus Lisanu
Seattle Attended Spokane Downtown Seattle Attended Honolulu Seattle Attended Seattle Self-Park
18 years 18 years 16 years 15 years 15 years 15 years
10+ Years Tewoderos Desta Samson G. Andebrhan Kenneth D. Kime Mike Poirier Frank R. Martin Stephen H. Finley Maria L. Morelos-Garcia William M. McCorkle Kebede W. Dhaba
Seattle Self-Park United Parking Bellevue Vancouver, BC Spokane Airport United Parking Long Beach Santa Ana Seattle Self-Park
14 years 14 years 12 years 12 years 11 years 11 years 10 years 10 years 10 years
We welcome your comments: Diamond Dialog is published by Diamond Parking. For comments and suggestions please write to us at: dialog@diamondparking.com.
To learn more about the Diamond Difference visit www.diamondparking.com
Scan code with a smart phone
Employment Opportunities Diamond Parking is a full-service parking operator which prides itself on the quality of its employees. We do everything possible to accommodate our clients and make sure each and every client is satisfied. Such exceptional service can only be delivered by hiring the brightest and hardest working people in the industry. If you are interested in joining Diamond Parking, please e-mail your resume to: hr@diamondparking.com. Diamond Parking is an equal opportunity employer.
A ctionline WHAT DO YOU THINK? Your observations, ideas and opinions are very important to us. Whether you are a landlord, customer or employee, you can use Actionline to provide comments, suggestions or observations; to ask questions, voice concerns, report situations, or to forward information that you feel may need attention. Actionline is served by an independent communication services firm. Through this service, you may provide your personal contact information and receive a response directly from Diamond Parking. Or, you may provide your personal contact information, request to remain anonymous to the company, and receive a reply through the Actionline service. You may contact Actionline by e-mail at ask@actionline.com, by telephone at 1-800-426-0426 (day or night, toll-free) or by using a postage-paid mailer available at any Diamond Parking field office.
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In Our Next Issue – Diamond Parking Canada announces a new strategic partnership with one of the largest real estate companies worldwide.
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1 MISSION
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WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. From parking facilities in every conceivable size of commercial buildings to major hotels, shopping centers, hospitals, sports arenas, multilevel garages and ‘Park N Fly’ facilities – we’ve done it. And we can excel for you too.
When parking, save time and avoid the rain! 4 Create a FREE account o 4 Enter Location Code and License Plate o 4 Select Parking Time and Rate o 4 Confirm your purchase with your PIN o
To get started, call 877-647-4707 or visit www.calltopark.com
www.DiamondParking.com • 605 First Avenue, Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98104 • 1-800-340-PARK