extracto sacado de Mr. Conor Kenny (July 2009)

[Alejandro Francino]

The world is demanding lower rates - fair enough.
Your response will create echos and tremors for your hotel well into the future.
Experts tell us that slashing rates will take you 10 years to recover. That does not take account the damage to your brand.
It might be helpful before you do the 'obvious' (or even easy) thing to consider these points in planning your response;
- What seperates you from your competitor, your unique USP?
- Add value first, discount last. The cost is always cheaper than the perception.
- Get your team to innovate and own more low cost, high guest impact ideas
- Remember, in a recession, we crave a return to great values. Don't forget the huge impact of "You are welcome" and "Great to see you, thanks for booking" kind of thing.
- Share wisdom, expertise, don't be an island.
- Review your website, does it reflect who you are? Really?
- Ask for help, the answers are nearly always within.
- Don't put useless pressure on your Sales Team, help them, support them, go out with them.
- Restore old traditions that faded in a boom. GM's lobby presence, Dining Room walkabout and so forth.
The 'right' way is often the most difficult. However, it's where rewards lie and rewards will never be for the majority - just the few.
You choose, you decide.
In the end, legacy is way more important than today.
Don't leave a mess, leave a proud story of how you navigated a stormy sea.
That's certainly worth looking back on!