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 EHC #534
 Insights for the Professionally Curious
 April 25, 2008 
Good Morning!

And so our Asian adventure begins. As I write this, I am in Beijing, having hit the obligatory tourist sights -- Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, etc. Some of it I saw (in the rain) on my first trip to Beijing five years ago, some was new to me. All of it was new to Margene.

As is my practice, I am posting a daily diary of the trip whenever I have the time (and an Internet connection) so check that out for photos and commentary. I notice things in other cultures that I often overlook in the US, so travel is as much about insight as it is about exploration. That is what I share in the daily trip report.

It is a humbling exercise to try to have a daily answer to the question, "What did I learn from my life today?" I recommend it highly.

Bill Marvin
The Restaurant Doctor

It Is The Best of Times
Opportunity is Knocking

The world is in turmoil, the economy is depressed, the stock market is skittish, gasoline and food prices are soaring and there are strange diseases working their way around the planet. So what makes these the best of times? Precisely the things I just mentioned.

The only time you can really increase market share is when times are tough. That is when the timid operators curl up in a fetal position under their desks and hope that all their problems will just go away. The only thing that will go away is their business ... and it will go to the operators who aggressively earn it.

This is the very best time to actively expand your sources of revenue (you'll need them), reach out to new guests (they still want a favorite place to go), develop new markets (all the old habits are up for grabs), bring in new diners (and give them such a great time that they will be loyal forever). If you are not already doing it, then somebody is probably doing it to you!

You don't have to be bad to get better. DO THE WORK!
 
The April Survey
The Secret Ingredient

To stand out from the competition you must bring something unique to the market. What is your secret ingredient -- the special "something" that your guests can't get anywhere else?

This month we look at what you are doing to keep yourself top-of-mind as the economy causes diners to re-think their options.

As usual, I will send copies of the survey results to everyone who participates. In the meantime, you can download copies of all past EHC surveys -- including the massive WOW Ideas collections.

Click here to add your thoughts to this month's survey.
Here's What You're Passing Up To Save 75 Cents!
In This Week's EHC Special Edition ...
  • How to Stand Out From The Herd - the series on how to make yourself recession-proof continues
  • Putting Work Into Perspective - the most memorable bit of advice an old mentor of mine ever gave me
  • What Did You Learn From Your Staff Today? - an insight into how the most important lessons you learn from your staff ... are about yourself!
  • Special Offers on management resources and services.
Solve the problem of what to talk about in your next staff meeting. Upgrade to the EHC Special Edition and get it all!
Copyright ©2008 William Marvin. All rights reserved.

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