Consistency is Your Brand
October 8, 2009 at 9:30 am | In 9 to 5, Corporate life, Product life, Small Business life | Leave a CommentToday, at breakfast at the Doubletree Park Place in St. Louis Park, MN, I ordered their Fresh Fruit Granola Crunch from their “healthy” menu. It was a large bowl of yogurt, granola, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and (my favorite when in season) blackberries.
On Tuesday, when I ordered the same thing, it had half the fruit – and was only strawberry-laden.
You can’t do that – the consistency of your offerings are a cornerstone of your brand. Was I gypped on Tuesday? The manager at the restaurant was concerned when I told her about Tuesday’s meal, because the dish is supposed to be served like it was today.
It may “only” be a minor part of the overall hotel experience, but it still is part of the complete package. The most successful business model is the franchise model, where everything is reduced to a formula that a trained primate can repeat over and over again to produce the same result each time. Even if you’re not a franchise (and the hotel restaurant may or may not be), you have to act the same way to engender loyalty from people who like knowing what they will receive.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
October 7, 2009 at 9:12 am | In 9 to 5, Corporate life, Product life | Leave a CommentAs you probably know, I hit the road often for business. And, you also probably know that I try to be loyal to the Hilton chain. I’m at their Gold level now, which is their medium level (there is Diamond, which I don’t think I’m that far, or that close, from). This gets me stuff on the road, like free Internet access, free meals, upgraded rooms and snacks in the room. How much is my loyalty worth to me?
I don’t know – because Hilton doesn’t tell me.
Why not show on my bill everything that’s been made free to me, then show a second line item taking that off the bill:
Internet Access $9.95
HHonors – Complimentary Access ($9.95)
with a total on the bottom:
Your loyalty to the Hilton chain saved you $77.47 (including tax) this stay.
Year to date Hilton savings: $856.65
That reminds me that staying loyal has tangible, quantifiable value. It’s one thing to say “free”, it’s another to show how much cheaper “free” is than what everyone else pays.
Demonstrate and document the value of loyalty.
From the Road: Shampoo Haiku
October 7, 2009 at 8:25 am | In 9 to 5, Haiku, Literary life | Leave a CommentA tiny bottle
Apricot engulfs nostrils
Cleanses soul & hair
Want to see what business is really like?
August 9, 2009 at 9:59 pm | In 9 to 5, Corporate life, Small Business life | Leave a CommentWatch the new ABC show, Shark Tank. Especially see the last segment (which Judi and I are watching right now) – a pair of guys with a successful business trying to chase VC money for a new, similar, but unproven venture. While the VCs are a tad avaricious (which is what they’re supposed to be, after all), they speak a lot of truth. Not to throw a wet blanket on anyone’s dreams, but I bet I would’ve been more successful (or would have cut bait sooner) had I had these guys (and lady) in my corner.
Start with a Guitar God…
August 9, 2009 at 8:53 pm | In otherwise | Leave a CommentAnd you get these tunes, based on one of my favorite songs, Rocket Cathedrals by Be Bop Deluxe. I first saw them with Mott the Hoople, both of whom opened for The Tubes. Wacky!
Update: Brain Juice is looking at my Blogo problem. The iMixes will look cool when it’s fixed.
Zoo Haiku
August 8, 2009 at 11:07 am | In Family life | Leave a CommentSunny weekend day
Caged animals stare at us
Freedom feet away
Haiku from my current business trip
July 29, 2009 at 12:59 am | In Living life, otherwise | Leave a CommentManama, Bahrain
Intense heat mitigated
By lush scenery
Wedding Haiku
July 12, 2009 at 12:50 pm | In Family life, Haiku, otherwise | Leave a CommentTwo hour Turnpike schlep
His first nuptials, her second
“I do” – Break that glass!
Just in time Haiku
July 11, 2009 at 9:46 pm | In 9 to 5, Corporate life, Small Business life | Leave a CommentAssignments at work
Fight for attention daily
Urgency matters!
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