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Inn Consulting Partners

Inn Consulting Partners - Inns For Sale - 877-957-2360


Posts Tagged ‘Marketing’

Inn Evaluations are very different from Valuations

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 by Bill Oates

Bill and Heide have recently traveled to several fine Inns to undertake Evaluations.  While there is only one additional letter, Evaluations are very different from Valuations of which we also do many.  A Valuation establishes a value of the Inn based on a comprehensive review of six factors affecting the worth of the property.

An Evaluation is a critique of all aspects of an Inn’s operations: marketing, staffing, housekeeping, food service, guest relations, website and web presence, grounds maintenance, and overall condition of the Inn.  It also includes suggestions for improvements as necessary and focuses especially on items to improve the bottom line.

Some Inns, especially those contemplating a transfer, should think about a Valuation.  We do believe most Inns will benefit financially and otherwise is excess of the modest cost of an Evaluation.  Most Innkeepers are too busy running their Inns to pay much attention to events and changes in the larger hospitality business.  That is our job and we bring that knowledge to an Evaluation.

If you would like more details, contact Bill at bill@innpartners.com or 802.257.2360.

Personalization

Thursday, May 21st, 2009 by Bill Oates

Our technology seems to accelerate the pace of change in our marketing.  While you are just about to grasp the significance of the Web 2.0; consumer generated content (Trip Advisor) Web 3.0 burst upon the scene.  Peer networking and referrals; Facebook and heavens forefend, Twitter.

Hurry up, for Web 4.0 cannot be far away.  I think I have found a hint of it in the latest buzzword: (defined as seeing the word used three times).  The word is personalization and it can have a profound impact on the products we develop for the next generation of guests.

Most of us have grasped the importance of “packaging” as an effective tool.  But our potential guests are beginning to reject the standard off-the-shelf package.  They want a unique experience built around their specific desires.

This is not about heroic efforts to fulfill outrageous demands.  It is rather putting the guest in the center of the experience.  A few well-directed inquiries in advance of arrival often goes a long way in defining that particular guest (or usually couple’s) desires.

Fortunately, Inns are well suited to provide the personalization of the guest experience.  We have the ability due to our size and interrelationships in our communities to put together unique experiences for our guests.  Personalization almost by definition requires an interactive relationship between Innkeepers and guest.

Bill Oates