Innkeepers know lots of numbers. They know how many guests they served last year. They know how many eggs are required for the Spinach Gruyere Quiche that serves four. They know how much they charge for their best suite , with tax, in season with a 10% discount! How many innkeepers know the contact number of their favorite interim innkeeper? Knowing how to contact someone in a moment’s notice who you trust with your most valuable asset is an important part of managing your business. Below are just four reasons why you need to include the name of a trusted interim innkeeper in your list of important contacts.
Closing your doors and going dark, whether planned or sudden, means loss of revenue. A last minute emergency can mean cancelled reservations. No matter how well you handle this situation, you still turn guests away and although they may seem understanding, many will never forget. Cancelling a reservation or closing your inn forces guests or potential guests to look elsewhere. In turn, you lose the opportunity to gain a loyal repeat guest.
Consider innkeeper “burnout”. Much is written on this subject, but few innkeepers heed the advice. Taking time for yourself, whether it is a short two day visit with another innkeeper or a ten day Mediterranean cruise, is necessary not only for your health and well being, but also for the health and well being of your business. Combine frayed nerves, a short temper and exhaustion with just one demanding guest and you have the recipe for disaster. In today’s high tech world, your guest can tweet their dissatisfaction faster than you can apologize. What was once word of mouth “PR” is now tweet and retweet, and it can happen in seconds. Consider online reviews, most notably Trip Advisor. Innkeepers are all too familiar with how immediate and damaging poor online reviews can be. Today, more than ever, it is important that innkeepers are fresh, enthusiastic and ready to serve their guests. Innkeepers work very hard to create comfortable well appointed suites, sumptuous breakfasts and the right atmosphere. It is equally important that they offer their guests gracious attentive and considerate innkeepers. Leaving your inn with a trusted inn sitter can give you time to refresh and recharge.
A “working” vacation can inject some much needed life into your business. Consider attending a regional or national innkeeping conference. Take the time to listen to national experts speak on those issues most critical to innkeepers. Network and learn what other innkeepers are doing to keep their business current. Another great way to combine work and relaxation is visiting another BnB. Consider taking a road trip, staying in several different BnBs along the way. See what others are doing. This will not only give you ideas for change in your business, , but it will also confirm what you are doing right. Visiting another bed and breakfast can give you a new appreciation of your skills, your guests and your business.
Life happens and it is not always convenient. Being called away on urgent family business is difficult. Deciding who is going to manage your inn while you are away should not be left as a last minute consideration. Knowing a professional inn sitter can relieve considerable stress in a very stressful situation. A good inn sitter can manage your business so you are free to manage your life.
Developing a relationship with an experienced interim inn sitter who knows and understands the importance of managing your business your way is one important key to business success. Want some tips on how to choose the best interim innkeeper for your inn? More later!
