Educate and build credibility through your mailing list

May 11th, 2012

Depending on the nature of your target market you could use your mailing list to engage with your customers by sharing your knowledge. For example: Ask your head chef to provide a recipe of the month, tips on baking the perfect meringue or crusty bread, a buyers’ guide to choosing fresh fish recipe ideas based [...]

Read More >>

Build rapport and build a sense of anticipation with your customers

May 10th, 2012

Before your customers arrive, start to build the relationship and get your customers excited about their visit. Let them know in advance what they can be doing the make the best of their time with you. Offer your help in booking restaurants, (yours or JV partners’), entertainment, outings, taxis, accommodation, attractions. etc. Anything that will [...]

Read More >>

Keep in touch with your customers

May 9th, 2012

Have you ever heard yourself saying ‘Keep in touch’? When we leave a job, or made friends on holiday we often come out with a remark such as this, whilst at the back of our mind thinking we are unlikely to see or speak to these people ever again. But can we afford to do [...]

Read More >>

Building a customer mailing list

May 8th, 2012

Your customer mailing list is one of the most valuable assets of your hotel or restaurant. I am amazed how few hotels and restaurants use e-mail marketing. It’s never too late to start building a database, and e-mail marketing is a great way to continue to build the relationship with your customers and keep you [...]

Read More >>

Ten tips for retaining loyal customers

May 2nd, 2012

It’s estimated it costs anywhere from 5 to 8 times more to gain a new customer as opposed to retaining your existing ones. When you consider the cost of advertising, marketing, sales people, etc. to attract new customers this becomes obvious. It’s also said that 68% of customers will fail to return if they feel [...]

Read More >>

You asked for it, so here it is.

April 25th, 2012

Earlier in the year I launched my 29 day leadership challenge.  And the feedback I’ve had is “Caroline, can you run it again, as I want my whole management team to go through it.” So that’s just what I’m doing and it’s starting next Wednesday (2nd May). Here’s the run down on the programme: (the [...]

Read More >>

Grand finale or damp squib?

April 17th, 2012

When my husband and I are on holiday we normally like to do something special and memorable on our last night. Our recent Norwegian Cruise was no exception. As you’d expect, dinner was included and each evening there been a set time for dinner, sharing a table with other passengers. It was good to catch [...]

Read More >>

Are your profits going down the drain?

April 5th, 2012

Every day of our cruise I was horrified at just how much food and drink, and therefore profit, was literally being poured the drain. The main culprit was a drink all you like coffee deal. At the start of the cruise you could purchase your own ‘souvenir’ mug, and refill it as often as you [...]

Read More >>

How to achieve great customer service – Part 4

March 30th, 2012

Recognition Recognise and reward staff who go the extra mile and give exceptional customer service. Listen to your guests and acknowledge the feedback they give you and pass that on to your team. This helps both you and your team or to understand what your guests appreciate and value, and help identify where you may [...]

Read More >>

How to achieve great customer service – Part 3

March 29th, 2012

Empower Upskilling your team by giving them the appropriate training, coaching and support enables you to delegate authority and gives your  staff a sense of responsibility, so they take the initiative and make decisions. You’ll be surprised how often they end up improving the process.  It means you don’t have to keep an eye on [...]

Read More >>