Welcome to another episode of our podcast, hosted by Emmanuel Scuto, the CEO and founder of WeYield, the leading revenue management company specializing in the car rental industry.
In this episode, Emmanuel engages with Shady Younis, Director of Sales and Marketing for Advanced Cars in Lebanon. Discover how Shady's scuba diving certification has profoundly influenced his learning and leadership approach, contributing to Advanced Car’s unique blend of revenue management, sales, and marketing strategies.

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Background of Advanced Cars:

Founded in the aftermath of the "9/11" events, Advanced Cars started as a Datsun dealership in Beirut and has evolved into a leading independent car rental service across Lebanon. From its inception, Advanced Cars adopted a hospitality-oriented approach akin to a 5-star hotel, offering amenities and personalized services that helped cultivate a strong word-of-mouth reputation, making up 40% of total rentals.

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Operational Growth and Challenges:

Starting with just 30 cars, Advanced Cars has expanded to a fleet of 1400 in 15 years, with significant growth driven by NGO contracts amid Lebanon’s humanitarian crises. Shady navigated the company through various challenges, including seasonal fluctuations and political instability, by strategically shifting from retail to corporate-focused services.

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Employee Engagement and Customer Satisfaction:

Shady champions intensive staff involvement in customer service through corporate workshops and satisfaction surveys, ensuring high service standards. His teaching methodology in scuba diving has been mirrored in his management practices, emphasizing that deep understanding comes from dedication and attention.

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Social Responsibility:

Advanced Cars is committed to social responsibility, demonstrated through initiatives such as offering free rentals to nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and providing support following the Beirut harbor explosion. These efforts underscore the company’s role in community support and safety.

📌 Here's a glimpse into the enriching discussion:

• 0:00:00 to 0:06:00 Introduction of Shady Younis
• 0:06:00 to 0:20:50 The begining of Advanced Cars with 5* hotel service standard
• 0:29:10 to 0:34:00 Engagement to improve the quality with the staff
• 0:38:00 to 1:00:30 How did Shady learn about Yield Management?
• 1:00:30 to 1:12:10 Can scuba diving influence the business change approach?
• 1:12:10 to 1:18:40 Business values to go beyond customer satisfaction
• 1:18:40 to 1:23:40 Read, read and read to continue to learn
• 1:23:40 to the end conclusion