Food for thought: Hot Shot Rule

from Thinkdaily.com
The Hot Shot Rule
(I learned this from Kat Cole.) If a "Hot Shot" took over my job today and I had no time to finish or pack, (I'm gone!), and the Hot Shot looked at my job and life, what is the one thing they'd look at that I was doing or accepted and would say, "This is unacceptable. I'm changing this asap"?
If they can do that, why can't I?
Have you ever reminisced about an inn swap? Where you fill their shoes for 2 weeks and they fill yours? Now most of us would never want to hand out baby over to someone who may destroy our reputation, so this is just more food for thought. But what would they discover? Like one innsitter said awhile ago "Why don't innkeepers have sharp knives!"

I'll give this some thought! I know we had that list when we started. I think we've plowed thru a lot of it.

I think Innswapping is a FABULOUS IDEA. I am in
San Diego so if anyone would
be interested do contact me.
I do have a cat.

Good question. Sometimes I do hope a forum member will stop by and give the critical view. Since many of use use the same reservation system - this idea could actually fly. What a challenge though to try to step into another innkeeper's shoes. Details vary so much, the kind of details the guests aren't really aware of you doing, but would be aware of if you didn't. Would I see those details and do them at another inn? Very challenging to consider caring for another's inn!
I can address the sharp knives issue - they get sharpened when I have waiting time in the kitchen between other tasks - and NOT during cooking sessions

I know what it was... living in a room right along with the guests. But we moved into our own living quarters. Maybe the world's smallest kitchen, but it works for us. And finally made Maddy shut up about hers

Interesting question. Since we are running a business, I have to assume the Hot Shot would be mainly looking at the business, and the inn operations from that perspective. I am pretty sure a HS could ramp up our flat revenue, maybe 10% to 20%, doing what I don't do: emailing former guests, blogging, facebook, some directory membership, gift shop; and of course raising/revising rates.
Since my business is also my lifestyle, I am not so sure I want the extra stress of all that on top of solo breakfast service every morning, still having a day job (winding down though), and maintenance of a 5 acre country property.
[edited to add: our knives are really sharp.]

Generic said:

I know what it was... living in a room right along with the guests. But we moved into our own living quarters. Maybe the world's smallest kitchen, but it works for us. And finally made Maddy shut up about hers .

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Generic said:

Maybe the world's smallest kitchen, but it works for us. And finally made Maddy shut up about hers

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Which is worth its weight in gold.

Tom said:

Interesting question. Since we are running a business, I have to assume the Hot Shot would be mainly looking at the business, and the inn operations from that perspective. I am pretty sure a HS could ramp up our flat revenue, maybe 10% to 20%, doing what I don't do: emailing former guests, blogging, facebook, some directory membership, gift shop; and of course raising/revising rates.
Since my business is also my lifestyle, I am not so sure I want the extra stress of all that on top of solo breakfast service every morning, still having a day job (winding down though), and maintenance of a 5 acre country property.
[edited to add: our knives are really sharp.].

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I looked at the question from the perspective of what kind of crap do we tolerate because we don't see it any longer!
On our first visit here, when the place was running full tilt and up for sale, there was a large plant growing out of the rain gutter over the door. How could you leave that there? First impression was one of deferred maintenance!
Then again, I should go weed...

Morticia said:

Tom said:

Interesting question. Since we are running a business, I have to assume the Hot Shot would be mainly looking at the business, and the inn operations from that perspective. I am pretty sure a HS could ramp up our flat revenue, maybe 10% to 20%, doing what I don't do: emailing former guests, blogging, facebook, some directory membership, gift shop; and of course raising/revising rates.
Since my business is also my lifestyle, I am not so sure I want the extra stress of all that on top of solo breakfast service every morning, still having a day job (winding down though), and maintenance of a 5 acre country property.
[edited to add: our knives are really sharp.].

Click to expand...

I looked at the question from the perspective of what kind of crap do we tolerate because we don't see it any longer!
On our first visit here, when the place was running full tilt and up for sale, there was a large plant growing out of the rain gutter over the door. How could you leave that there? First impression was one of deferred maintenance!
Then again, I should go weed...
.

Click to expand...

Yes, weeding. And, I need to deadhead the faded flowers.