Customers

Bed & Breakfast / Short Term Rental Host Forum

Help Support Bed & Breakfast / Short Term Rental Host Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

JBloggs

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
17,744
Reaction score
9
from Thinkdaily.com
Customers
Remember it's about them. You can't live without them.
To grow you need more of them, or to sell more to the ones you already have.
Is your culture customer focused?
 
Yes, I think so.... this weekend we were told 9 times "oh, we hope you don't sell!" I know it was meant as a compliment each time, but by the 9th time, I almost burst into tears!
Is there such a thing as being 'too' customer focused?!
 
I think we have to stop thinking of them as 'customers'. McDonalds has customers. Walmart has customers. We have 'guests' and we have to treat them as such. I try to see each person as a guest that I've invited into my home and make sure they are comfortable, well fed and enjoy the time they spend with us. I hope I don't become jaded, but I realky want everyone to feel special. And the fact that they pay me to do something I enjoy doing is a bonus!
 
Customers are like spouses: can't live with 'em, can't stuff 'em in a sack.
What we love about them is also what annoys the living daylights out of us.
 
Yes, I think so.... this weekend we were told 9 times "oh, we hope you don't sell!" I know it was meant as a compliment each time, but by the 9th time, I almost burst into tears!
Is there such a thing as being 'too' customer focused?!.
Yes and it is called "burn out". There is a delicate balance between meeting the guests's needs and our own needs. When every thing is going smoothly in our lives there is plenty to give to guests...in fact there is a bounty of kindness, patience, and warmth.
The real challenge is to give when your own emotional well is dry. We try to pace our "giving" so we have enough energy and emotional reserve to carry us over the worst of times.
 
I think we have to stop thinking of them as 'customers'. McDonalds has customers. Walmart has customers. We have 'guests' and we have to treat them as such. I try to see each person as a guest that I've invited into my home and make sure they are comfortable, well fed and enjoy the time they spend with us. I hope I don't become jaded, but I realky want everyone to feel special. And the fact that they pay me to do something I enjoy doing is a bonus!.
2cat, this post is from a business motivator - Thinkdaily.com who's daily messages are written for the vast business industry, not innkeeping focused.
But your focus is SPOT ON!
 
Yes, I think so.... this weekend we were told 9 times "oh, we hope you don't sell!" I know it was meant as a compliment each time, but by the 9th time, I almost burst into tears!
Is there such a thing as being 'too' customer focused?!.
Yes and it is called "burn out". There is a delicate balance between meeting the guests's needs and our own needs. When every thing is going smoothly in our lives there is plenty to give to guests...in fact there is a bounty of kindness, patience, and warmth.
The real challenge is to give when your own emotional well is dry. We try to pace our "giving" so we have enough energy and emotional reserve to carry us over the worst of times.
.
You nailed it.
 
I think we have to stop thinking of them as 'customers'. McDonalds has customers. Walmart has customers. We have 'guests' and we have to treat them as such. I try to see each person as a guest that I've invited into my home and make sure they are comfortable, well fed and enjoy the time they spend with us. I hope I don't become jaded, but I realky want everyone to feel special. And the fact that they pay me to do something I enjoy doing is a bonus!.
Agreed
 
I think we have to stop thinking of them as 'customers'. McDonalds has customers. Walmart has customers. We have 'guests' and we have to treat them as such. I try to see each person as a guest that I've invited into my home and make sure they are comfortable, well fed and enjoy the time they spend with us. I hope I don't become jaded, but I realky want everyone to feel special. And the fact that they pay me to do something I enjoy doing is a bonus!.
2cat_lady said:
I think we have to stop thinking of them as 'customers'. McDonalds has customers. Walmart has customers. We have 'guests' and we have to treat them as such. I try to see each person as a guest that I've invited into my home and make sure they are comfortable, well fed and enjoy the time they spend with us. I hope I don't become jaded, but I realky want everyone to feel special. And the fact that they pay me to do something I enjoy doing is a bonus!
thumbs_up.gif

 
Yes, I think so.... this weekend we were told 9 times "oh, we hope you don't sell!" I know it was meant as a compliment each time, but by the 9th time, I almost burst into tears!
Is there such a thing as being 'too' customer focused?!.
Yes and it is called "burn out". There is a delicate balance between meeting the guests's needs and our own needs. When every thing is going smoothly in our lives there is plenty to give to guests...in fact there is a bounty of kindness, patience, and warmth.
The real challenge is to give when your own emotional well is dry. We try to pace our "giving" so we have enough energy and emotional reserve to carry us over the worst of times.
.
I love serving our guests, and take pride in doing my best. I don't believe I'm burned out. Our guests love it here, and want it to to stay the same for when they come back.
But as you know, we are trying to sell to be closer to aging parents and our first grandchild. So when someone says they hope we don't sell, they are really saying "We love you, and don't want you to leave" (or at least I think thats what they're saying! LOL), but it makes me a little sad to think I have to wait even longer. And then to hear it over and over.... well.. you get the idea.
 
Yes, I think so.... this weekend we were told 9 times "oh, we hope you don't sell!" I know it was meant as a compliment each time, but by the 9th time, I almost burst into tears!
Is there such a thing as being 'too' customer focused?!.
Yes and it is called "burn out". There is a delicate balance between meeting the guests's needs and our own needs. When every thing is going smoothly in our lives there is plenty to give to guests...in fact there is a bounty of kindness, patience, and warmth.
The real challenge is to give when your own emotional well is dry. We try to pace our "giving" so we have enough energy and emotional reserve to carry us over the worst of times.
.
I love serving our guests, and take pride in doing my best. I don't believe I'm burned out. Our guests love it here, and want it to to stay the same for when they come back.
But as you know, we are trying to sell to be closer to aging parents and our first grandchild. So when someone says they hope we don't sell, they are really saying "We love you, and don't want you to leave" (or at least I think thats what they're saying! LOL), but it makes me a little sad to think I have to wait even longer. And then to hear it over and over.... well.. you get the idea.
.
We are not on the market but our guests know this is not a permanent, 'die with our boots on,' job for us. They ask, tho, "will you still be here next year?" and I know it's because we've made a connection.
The PO's were definitely burned out, as many of their guests told us when they stayed with us.
So, yes, your guests are complimenting you on the way you make them feel. But, yeah, tough to hear over and over.
 
Yes, I think so.... this weekend we were told 9 times "oh, we hope you don't sell!" I know it was meant as a compliment each time, but by the 9th time, I almost burst into tears!
Is there such a thing as being 'too' customer focused?!.
Yes and it is called "burn out". There is a delicate balance between meeting the guests's needs and our own needs. When every thing is going smoothly in our lives there is plenty to give to guests...in fact there is a bounty of kindness, patience, and warmth.
The real challenge is to give when your own emotional well is dry. We try to pace our "giving" so we have enough energy and emotional reserve to carry us over the worst of times.
.
I love serving our guests, and take pride in doing my best. I don't believe I'm burned out. Our guests love it here, and want it to to stay the same for when they come back.
But as you know, we are trying to sell to be closer to aging parents and our first grandchild. So when someone says they hope we don't sell, they are really saying "We love you, and don't want you to leave" (or at least I think thats what they're saying! LOL), but it makes me a little sad to think I have to wait even longer. And then to hear it over and over.... well.. you get the idea.
.
Sunshine said:
I love serving our guests, and take pride in doing my best. I don't believe I'm burned out. Our guests love it here, and want it to to stay the same for when they come back.
But as you know, we are trying to sell to be closer to aging parents and our first grandchild. So when someone says they hope we don't sell, they are really saying "We love you, and don't want you to leave" (or at least I think thats what they're saying! LOL), but it makes me a little sad to think I have to wait even longer. And then to hear it over and over.... well.. you get the idea.
How is it that all those guests know you're for sale?
 
Yes, I think so.... this weekend we were told 9 times "oh, we hope you don't sell!" I know it was meant as a compliment each time, but by the 9th time, I almost burst into tears!
Is there such a thing as being 'too' customer focused?!.
Yes and it is called "burn out". There is a delicate balance between meeting the guests's needs and our own needs. When every thing is going smoothly in our lives there is plenty to give to guests...in fact there is a bounty of kindness, patience, and warmth.
The real challenge is to give when your own emotional well is dry. We try to pace our "giving" so we have enough energy and emotional reserve to carry us over the worst of times.
.
I love serving our guests, and take pride in doing my best. I don't believe I'm burned out. Our guests love it here, and want it to to stay the same for when they come back.
But as you know, we are trying to sell to be closer to aging parents and our first grandchild. So when someone says they hope we don't sell, they are really saying "We love you, and don't want you to leave" (or at least I think thats what they're saying! LOL), but it makes me a little sad to think I have to wait even longer. And then to hear it over and over.... well.. you get the idea.
.
Sunshine said:
I love serving our guests, and take pride in doing my best. I don't believe I'm burned out. Our guests love it here, and want it to to stay the same for when they come back.
But as you know, we are trying to sell to be closer to aging parents and our first grandchild. So when someone says they hope we don't sell, they are really saying "We love you, and don't want you to leave" (or at least I think thats what they're saying! LOL), but it makes me a little sad to think I have to wait even longer. And then to hear it over and over.... well.. you get the idea.
How is it that all those guests know you're for sale?
.
How is it that all those guests know you're for sale?
[/quote]
It was a group of Realtors stayed here and ate dinner here. All very nice people. The 'good' in this is that perhaps they will come across someone who is looking for this type of property. Couldn't hurt.
 
Back
Top