Setting Records
Island Air Terminal
Several records were set during my recent trip to Maui. The first was the number of people at the sleepy little inter-island terminal. One of the reasons I like to fly out of this terminal is the small amount of traffic, making for easy, and hassle free checking in. Not this time. I have been flying in and out of this terminal for 28 years now and have NEVER seen it like this. My thought was, “What recession?”
Kaanapali Morning
One of the enjoyable things about Maui is waking up in Kaanapali. I normally stay at the Westin Maui, but this time it was overbooked and I could not get a room. I took this picture from my room at the Sheraton just down the beach. They were at near capacity, but I got in. My thought was, “What recession?”
Whalers Village Shopping Center
I have been doing Success Rallies for the merchants at Whalers Village for 18 years now. We meet at Leilani’s on the Beach. During that time I have seen attendance as low as 10 people, and as high as 50 or 60.
7:45 AM
The rally starts at 8 AM. I often joke that you have to get there early to get a back row seat. As you can see that was the case today.
7:50 AM
Five minutes later they are lining up to get in. The coffee is hot and the pastries are tasty.
7:55 AM
Besides hearing me talk and getting coffee and sugar, the attendees also get free parking stickers. Signing up for that usually creates a bottle neck getting in the restaurant.
8 AM - Showtime
By 8 AM the place is packed and it’s time to learn something. My topic today was “befriending” your customers in a way that makes them want to return to your store to buy more as well as referring you to those they know and meet. One suggestion was having your customers pose with their purchase and promise them that you will post their photo on line to share wiith their friends back home.
It’s a Record
Before leaving this morning I congratulated them on a record turnout and asked them to pose for this photo promising that it would be on my blog for them to see in the morning.
Another Record
One last record set this morning was in coffee and pastry consumption. Mahalo Whalers Village for 18 years of success; I’ll see you soon.
October 28th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Hello Everyone,
What a nice upbeat story to see and to read Ron. The photo idea also great and I know a version of it works.
There is a small restaurant here in the suburbs that serves hotel style food that is well known food, friendly food, easy to eat food, tried and tested family recipes food and good value for money. When you go, the owners take a pic of you and your party, get your email addresses and send the pic to you with a voucher to spend in their deli section on gorgeous pastries and imported cheeses. Seems odd to have this mix, down beat everyday food with a deli that sells fancy foods, but it does. What they have done now is started Trivial Pursuit (remember the game?) nights where you book for tables or not more than four, have a set meal and another family style night of entertainment. Seems plain, again I say, with all the electronic excitement out there, there are still plenty of people who enjoy conversation and competition in a non-glitzy environment.
They have increased these game nights to three a week and could go more, but won’t so that they do not interfere with their other clientele who prefer just to eat out. They are 90% full 90% of the time and even though they have been being successful for some years now, they are just as nice to visit now as they were when they started. Their service has remained good and at the same standard it was always, and added to everything else, that takes work and focus. They are successful, and I always wish them well, they work hard enough and can play hard too.
Cheers
Lestie
Jo’burg
South Africa