Take a minute to look at your Happy Hours

“Hi Max - Following your recent e-mail about Happy Hours I’m prompted to ask - Why doesn't some smart hotel operator promote an Unhappy Hour?” wrote ex journalist, magazine publisher and Internet marketing guru Peter Thorpe (see http://www.thenet.com.au). “Patrons could be invited to come in to whinge and whine to anybody and everybody about all the things that annoyed the heck out of them during the day.” continued Peter.

“Perhaps it could then be followed by a Happy Hour after the customers had gotten everything off their chests! Don't know if it would work but, as an ex journo, I can tell you negative news sells a lot more papers than positive news!”

Great thought, Peter. I’d send a News Release about the ‘Unhappy Hour’ to the media too. You could end up getting a heap of radio, television and newspaper space for zero dollars...WOW...I like that!

Next week I want to tell you about a CEO who was asked why he was wasting his time talking to lower level managers. Until then I wish you many happy hours!

Max Hitchins

The Hospitality Doctor

www.HospitalityDoctor.com

PS. David McNally (who soars with Eagles – see http://www.davidmcnally.com) also wrote and said “Your ‘Happy Hour e-mail reminded me of the woman who was overheard in a McDonald’s shouting angrily at her three kids: “Shut up and eat your Happy Meals!” :):):)