Top 6 Things we are doing at Kapila Business Hotel to Build Sales in a Recession

Kapil Dhole Patil — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:48:23 +0000

Noticeably, most companies or individuals talk about the recession but that what they do – TALK! We decided to take this recessionary period more as a challenge and opportunity and created some basic rules that we would implement as far as the sales and marketing was concerned. Might I add that not only is the implementation successful but I am really enjoy the nifty gritty of the whole process!

Here then, in brief, are some of the points we implemented.

1. Focus on low lying fruit first and foremost.

Spruce up service to the walk in and above all ensure that calls are answered promptly. Benefits of staying at the Kapila Business Hotel.

Hotel MUST be talked about with the caller instead of just answering his or her queries. The same holds true of the e-mail requests that we get and even our website is gearing up towards this.

2. Website SEO and Social Media Optimization.

This really is a huge topic and I hope that in the coming weeks we will have a substantial presence on the net. As a matter of fact, I will elaborate on our initiatives in the social media. .

3. Brand your hotel.

We have tried to ensure that branding for the hotel across all verticals. Above all we are ensuring more accountability from our regional sales representatives. Loyalty and frequency programs; special promotions and many other revenue generating initiatives are being pushed out on a regularly.

4. Sales Blitzes.

One of my favourites, because of the results that it generates!! A sales blitz is a concentrated amount of sales calls made in a short period and can uncover business you did not even know was in your own backyard. Everyone sells in the hotel…..everyone starting from the CEO and all throughout the ranks. Blitz, Trace them and follow through!!

5. Feeder Markets

Contact non-competing hotels in markets that feed business into your market. Conversely, we try and help other hotels with leads. As a matter of fact we are not far from the day where this revenue stream would be quite important. Since Hotel Kapila is located in Pune, it makes a lot of sense to collaborate with some similar hotels in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad for sharing business leads.

6. Increasing the number of market segments

This list can be incredibly powerful. Expand your reach – Central government; state government; Travel Agents; Convention and Visitors centres; Chambers of Commerce; National and State Associations (of all kinds); hospitals and medical; colleges (parents weekends, visiting speakers, sports teams) and the list goes on.

More on the Kapila Business Hotel sales strategy later.

Kapil Dhole Patil