People and Performance
As February rolls around, the season of hearts and flowers provides an apt metaphor for this month’s theme in Parking Today: “Love and Loyalty.” Although we’re not diving into romantic love, we’re exploring a topic just as essential to thriving parking operations — building satisfaction and loyalty among employees as well as customers.
This month’s cover story by Andrew Sachs, “Compensation Counts in Elevating Parking Operations,” delves into the critical role employee compensation plays in operational success (see pages 30-33). As the industry evolves with cutting-edge technology, investing in human capital becomes more important than ever. Strategic and fair wage policies create motivated teams, driving better customer service and satisfaction. By prioritizing thoughtful management practices, parking operators can turn challenges into opportunities, fostering long-term loyalty among their workforce and customers alike.
Elsewhere in the issue, we spotlight the intersection of technology and customer satisfaction. In “Signal Success,” Stephen M. Kowal highlights how robust cellular connectivity enhances the parking experience by ensuring operational efficiency, user safety, and convenience (see pages 28-29). When operators focus on these details, they foster trust and loyalty from their patrons.
Some of this month’s columns also touch on the theme of love and loyalty in unique ways. Brian Wolff’s Authentic Concern column, titled “Love Is in the Details,” emphasizes how attention to small operational details reflects genuine care for the people being served (see pages 8-9). Meanwhile, Clarena Tobon’s The Well-Parked Mind encourages us to nurture the most foundational relationship of all — the one with ourselves — offering actionable tips for self-care and personal growth (see pages 10-11). And in Ask Coach Colleen, Colleen Gallion reminds us of the importance of employee appreciation programs, which foster connection and morale within teams (see pages 14-15).
Whether it’s by refining wage structures, investing in technology, or fostering connections — with employees, customers, and ourselves — this issue offers a roadmap for creating satisfaction and loyalty in every corner of the parking industry.
JAY LANDERS is the editor-in-chief of Parking Today.