Do customers think you're cheap?

There’s an old adage that you have to spend money to make money. That, of course, is easier said than done, particularly in an industry like yours where profit margins are razor-thin. With that said, most of your customers have no idea how slim your margins are. What they do see are gaps in your service that appear to them as if you’re being cheap or, worse, stupid. That’s a tough statement. Let me explain. Now that the warm weather has finally arrived, most people ...

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Discuss this Article 4

Anonymous (not verified)
on Jun 26, 2012

As a restaurant owner your article makes me think about my 3 outside umbrella less tables. Over the years we have had umbrellas but truth be told... servers are lazy to put up and take down. One bad rain storm(we're in Florida) or gust and even with holders they blow or break. Not making excuses but they were more a hassle and hardly ever used. Over the years we have had many umbrellas.I believe that iIf guests are leaving because they can't sit outside they really didn't want to eat at that particular restaurant in the first place.
I think in any restaurant there are always improvements that could be made. With things tight these days we try to make small improvements... fresh paint in the dining rooms.. fresh flowers in the clay pots outside..new patio furniture. I can't say that I notice an immediate benefit but I know my customers appreciate whatever improvements we do. Our goal is to serve delicious food in a comfortable atmosphere with professional friendly service. Do umbrellas matter...not really.
Thank you

Anonymous (not verified)
on Jul 9, 2012

I could not get beyond what I see as an insidious problem in almost any business- not sourcing root causes. You identify the issue with your umbrellas as a "lazy" server issue, when it is more appropriately assessed as a management issue. Managers should be hired to ensure that your business is protected in every way, which includes oversight of job performance for all subordinates.

I am hopeful that your business is successful and creates a great atmosphere for all that encompasses your space. If you identify root causes in any problem area you can make a real change, anything less you are only providing a band aid or shifting the blame, and this has the potential to pervade and erode your entire business model.

ConceptBranding
on Jun 26, 2012

Mike,

We see this all the time. The small details are overlooked and can make or break the decision to return.

While the "big things" need to be covered of course, we encourage our clients to do at least an annual review with us to take an operational snapshot and look at how small changes or updates can sustain and expand business.

Good subject matter!

Tom Kelley
AccessPoint Group
San Diego

smallen
on Jul 17, 2012

I thought this was an excellent article. As restaurant owners and managers, we tend to forget to think from the customers' standpoint as we run the day-to-day.

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