A tip for hotels
I just returned from a trip through outstate Minnesota where I stayed at a Country Inn & Suites . By all accounts a very dependable value-based chain for business travelers.
After a long day of work and restless sleep, I woke to get ready for a new day. When I reached for the shampoo on the counter top, I saw a unfamiliar package admist the usual suspects (shampoo, lotion, body soap, face soap, and...). Makeup remover towel - what?
My first thought (as a male) was what a waste! Then I thought a bit more about this and realized that Country Inn & Suites must have some marketing data that indicates a large population of female guests. So, someone in the marketing team thought it would be nice to provide a female hygiene component to the bathroom supplies. Interesting idea, but not very well thought out - especially as a male realizing that I have been left out of the equation - do I mean more or less?
As all these existential thoughts race through my head, I was reminded how complicated we make things in our businesses. Here's an idea for a more simpler solution for the Country Inn & Suites:
1. Know if your customer is female or male.
2. Provide them with a care-bag of supplies that is provided to them at the time of their check in.
3. If they don't want to carry it to their room, offer to do so before they will need it.
4. Gear the package to a male or female - providing the basics, plus a surprise or two. Like maybe a chocolate truffle for the women, and a styptic pencil (nick & cut relief).
5. Stock the room with the basic hand soap, but include a scented body wash geared towards the sex of the occupant. Everyone should wash their hands - right?
6. Know the needs of regular customers. Anticipate what I will need, and remind me at check in that its my "usual kit".
Just think of how that could improve the experience, and how much money they would save.
After a long day of work and restless sleep, I woke to get ready for a new day. When I reached for the shampoo on the counter top, I saw a unfamiliar package admist the usual suspects (shampoo, lotion, body soap, face soap, and...). Makeup remover towel - what?
My first thought (as a male) was what a waste! Then I thought a bit more about this and realized that Country Inn & Suites must have some marketing data that indicates a large population of female guests. So, someone in the marketing team thought it would be nice to provide a female hygiene component to the bathroom supplies. Interesting idea, but not very well thought out - especially as a male realizing that I have been left out of the equation - do I mean more or less?
As all these existential thoughts race through my head, I was reminded how complicated we make things in our businesses. Here's an idea for a more simpler solution for the Country Inn & Suites:
1. Know if your customer is female or male.
2. Provide them with a care-bag of supplies that is provided to them at the time of their check in.
3. If they don't want to carry it to their room, offer to do so before they will need it.
4. Gear the package to a male or female - providing the basics, plus a surprise or two. Like maybe a chocolate truffle for the women, and a styptic pencil (nick & cut relief).
5. Stock the room with the basic hand soap, but include a scented body wash geared towards the sex of the occupant. Everyone should wash their hands - right?
6. Know the needs of regular customers. Anticipate what I will need, and remind me at check in that its my "usual kit".
Just think of how that could improve the experience, and how much money they would save.
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