Relationship Building - New Generation of Hospitality Sales Professionals Lesson #6
David M. Brudney, ISHC, a nationally recognized spokesman for hotels and a veteran with four decades of experience, is the principal of David Brudney & Assoc. of Carlsbad, CA |
By David M. Brudney, ISHC, April 2007
(sixth in a series)
"We’re in the business of making friends." - That statement - - made by Keith Fowler of Anheuser-Busch
- - resonated with me very early in my hospitality Sales career.
Making friendships and maintaining those relationships
is very important for most everyone, but for those of us in Sales it is
an absolute cornerstone for successful selling.
Those initial contacts made by today’s new generation
of hospitality Sales professionals represent potential clients and referral
sources for a career lifetime.
It’s all about relationships
Building relationships with clients, however,
is not enough. You must begin with building solid relationships from
within, with your "internal customer":
- Your own Sales department
- Other departments within your property
- Convention & visitors bureaus
- National Sales offices
- Third party Sales representatives
- Key suppliers and vendors that serve your clients’groups
Quality time spent developing "internal customers"
can pay huge dividends down the road in new business, repeat business and
strong referrals.
I have experienced first-hand many times the old
customer adage, "all things being equal, I prefer to do business with someone
I know and like." Customers may have new layers in their communication
tool boxes today (cell phones, e-mail, texting), but they still prefer
to deal mainly with those Sales pros where solid relationships are established.
Establishing and maintaining relationship tips
Tips on establishing and maintaining solid relationships:
Online v. Telephone. I have found
very few examples of hospitality Sales pros establishing strong customer
relationships 100% online. Online dating services might be a good
way to find potential significant others, but establishing solid relationships
in hospitality Sales begins with telephone contact and personal, face-to-face
Sales calls and trade shows. E-mails and texting are great for information,
but the telephone is essential for communication. Once initial contact
is made, always ask the client for his/her preferred communication tool:
telephone, e-mail or face-to-face meetings.
Understanding Needs. Professional
meeting planners tell me what they crave the most from hospitality Sales
pros is being understood; that the Sales pro understands the planners’
needs, what’s really important. This is about focus and being a good
listener.
F.Y.I. Another good way of maintaining
a good relationship is to look for information that might be helpful or
of interest to the client. Drop off or send articles on trends and
information on the client’s business, competition and industry in general.
Clients can never get enough information to help them in their jobs and
even if they never acknowledge what you sent, they will remember your thoughtfulness.
All of this may help to separate you from your competitors as the client
will think of you more in terms as a good friend, advisor and someone who
always has the client in mind.
Availability. Do everything possible
to make yourself available for the client when the client calls with new
demands on very short notice. Remind yourself that the client would
not be calling on you in the first place if a relationship had not been
established.
Reliability. If the prospective client
is expecting a proposal within 48 hours, make certain that the proposal
is delivered within 48 hours. If you can’t produce, you must make
contact prior to that deadline, advise the proposal will not be delivered
on time and indicate at what time it will be delivered.
Trust. Never spread misinformation
or tell a prospective client something you know not to be true. Far
better to say you don’t know and that you will get back to them with a
correct answer shortly. This has to do with your own personal credibility.
Loyalty. Loyalty’s a two-way street.
Most clients respect your being loyal to them and most will do everything
possible to be loyal to you. Loyalty is key to solid relationships.
Stay Connected. Don’t allow long
periods of time to lapse between visits, especially those done in person.
Call or make an appointment when you’re in or near the client’s city.
Take the client to lunch. Stop by the client’s office for a visit.
Best advice I can give to the new generation of
hospitality Sales professionals? It is all about relationships.
Build and maintain solid relationships that will support you for the life
of your Sales career. Be for the client what you would be for a good
friend.
What’s next? Sales Lesson #7: Dealing with today’s new meeting planner.
© Copyright 2007
About David Brudney & Associates
David M. Brudney, ISHC, is a veteran hospitality sales and marketing professional concluding his fourth decade of service to the hospitality industry. Brudney advises lodging owners, lenders, asset managers and operators on hotel sales and marketing "best practices" and conducts reviews of hospitality (as well as other industry) sales and marketing operations throughout the U.S. and overseas. The principal of David Brudney & Associates of Carlsbad, CA, a sales and marketing consulting firm specializing in the hospitality industry since 1979, Brudney is a frequent lecturer, instructor and speaker. He is a charter member of International Society of Hospitality Consultants. Previously, Brudney held hospitality sales and marketing positions with Hyatt, Westin and Marriott.
Contact: David M. Brudney, ISHC, Principal
David Brudney & Associates
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Phone: 760-476-0830
Fax: 760-476-0860
Email David Brudney
Web Site: www.DavidBrudney.com
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