If you could guarantee the business of a large group of people, would you?
I’m taking my team out to lunch to celebrate our recent successes. I figured since we have a large group (17 people) that I should make reservations.
I called Olive Garden and asked if they could accommodate a group my size. They answered yes. However, they don’t take reservations. Seating is first come, first serve. I doubtfully responded, “even for a group my size?” Unfortunately, the answer was yes.
I finished that call and immediately called Carino’s Italian Grill. I asked the same questions and was cheerfully greeted and warmly welcomed. They gladly took my name and information and got us reserved for our lunch.
Many companies have special rates, arrangements, or even treatment for large groups of customers. Why? Because they understand that earning the business of a large group will guarantee a large volume of revenue. If it weren’t for the group, a company may have to struggle to earn the business of that many isolated individuals.
When individuals in a group enjoy their experience with your company, they will return with their family or friends later. Thus properly serving groups can create new, loyal customers for your business.
Don’t let company policy, or even logistics hinder your ability to look at serving customers on a larger scale. However, before you take the leap into serving larger customers or accounts, you’ll need to be able to deliver what you promise.
Just as a group of customers can turn into an army of great word of mouth, that same group can also spread the nightmare stories if you fail to serve them well.
Get your logistics in order, and encourage larger groups or accounts. You’ll find that they can generate a large portion of your revenue with only a fraction of the labor needed to serve that many individual customers.