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Sharing Ideas
November 12, 2008
I just returned from a sales training class in Denver with a terrific group of students with varied amounts of experience. What I enjoyed the most was the ability for the veterans and non-veterans to share their selling experiences with each other. Because "Egos Were Checked At The Door," everyone was able to benefit by exchanging thoughts.
"If you and I both have apples, and we exchange them, we are both each left with a single apple. If you and I both have an idea, and we exchange them, we both leave with two ideas."
We took this idea to a further level and then discussed ways to overcome customer objections. Using the "share an idea" philosophy, the group talked about involving other members of the hotel to help solve problems and provide options.
- Allow the chef to provide the tour of the kitchen area as he/she is truly the expert in that area.
- If you know you don't have enough space for a meeting, consult the banquet team and ask for their input.
- Ask the housekeeping manager to describe the best features of the guestroom.
One example was shared for a large piece of business that required additional space for a cocktail reception. A valet parker overheard the sales person's dilemma and proposed using part of the parking structure that had just been re-paved. He explained that while the weight of cars was not permitted on the new surface yet, the weight of customers enjoying a reception would pose no harm.
Involve others, share ideas, and leave better than when you started.
Posted by Bart Berkey on November 12, 2008 | Comments (9)
In response to: Sharing Ideas
Allison Crain commented:
Bart, Great to see these blogs! WOW, tons of helpful information. Class last week was very beneficial, we appreciate you taking the time. Something to add to this recent blog, attending other dept. line ups and getting them excited about the business/site visits we are working is huge too! Talk soon- thank you!
In response to: Sharing Ideas
Michelle Berndt commented:
Yes, the conference in Denver was a great learning experience as well as a great opportunity to meet others within the company. I very much enjoyed my experience. Exchanging ideas with other people throughout the Hotel is so beneficial. A big thank you to you all for a great week!
In response to: Sharing Ideas
Gerri Bluhm commented:
What a wonderful refresher and great experience to meet so many new sales professionals in our organization. I found the class most informative and will take the lessons learned to hopefully better myself as a sales executive. thank you!
In response to: Sharing Ideas
Jeff Leinen commented:
SO true. I am currently actively involving staff from other departments in sales calls (concierge, chef, housekeeping, MES, rooms exec.). Their involvement and engagement with our guests truly helps create guests for life. Great work Bart! Thanks for sharing the idea. I now have two!
In response to: Sharing Ideas
Lindsay Egan commented:
Bart - It is all so true. We are incredibly lucky to have the best ladies and gentlemen in the industry taking care of our guests and we should utilize everyone in every level of the hotel. As a team we can truly make an impact that others cannot. It was wonderful to see that and so many other things enlivened while in Denver.
In response to: Sharing Ideas
Jeff Kiley commented:
Denver was a great "
In response to: Sharing Ideas
James Connell commented:
Bart - Great Energy and Great ideas shared in Denver. This is a belated note to say how much I enjoyed the class and meeting our ladies and gentlemen. I find the OBF's to be so much more client focused, and logical, than were the FAB's I had learned years ago.
In response to: Sharing Ideas
meeting new commented:
wow what a great way to meet all the new energetic people in the industry just coming up.
In response to: Sharing Ideas
dave cobb commented:
grate meeting and receptoion