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In lean times, you have to be flexible and you have to be smart. Caterers are both of these things and more! But it never hurts to take a step back and make sure you're being AS smart as possible! Catersource experts offer some sound ideas to get you thinking about what you can do now to guarantee your success through tomorrow.
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 Roman's Quick-Fixes
With more than 36 years in the business, Catersource president Mike Roman knows that caterers are accepting, challenging and overcoming the unpredictable economic times each and every day. He believes now is a time for getting back to the basics and exercising sound leadership in both the front and back of the house. Mike also believes it's the time to be one step ahead of yourself and your competitors. He has some simple steps to help:
1. Don't lower prices. Instead, add new menus with lower prices. Corporate buyers are seeking new caterers because it is easier than asking their regular caterer to lower their current price. Your job is to beat them to the punch with new value/impact menus that cost less because they cost you less to produce.
2. Pick-up the phone and "thank" your twenty best corporate clients for their business. Share with them your solutions for their need for budgetary concerns. Remember that people buy catering from people they like. Don't procrastinate... call today.
3. Use a scalpel not an ax. Make small temporary changes instead of big permanent moves. Ask your staff about their ideas for saving money and be open and truthful with them.
4. Owner/managers need to join the sales team to actively sell! Nothing is more important than capturing profitable sales. Remember, if you don't sell it, you can't cook it! Put your best talent on all incoming sales calls. The first voice a caller hears should be a seasoned staffer.
5. Suck it up. Arrive to work earlier, stay longer and work smarter. Help each other win. Think positive. Practice and rehearse. Review past issues of Catersource magazine and Conference materials.
Though we call this economy unpredictable, it is very predicable that it WILL flourish again, and it will improve!
Watch for the January issue of Catersource magazine where Mike will explore more ideas that you can use to help you remain successful. If you don't get Catersource, click here to subscribe.
Mike will also present a brand new educational series at the 2009 Conference & Tradeshow titled Catering During Unpredictable Times. Click here to find out more about the Conference.
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 Weathering the Storm
Catersource magazine contributor and consultant Meryl Snow also has some ideas that will help you avoid a business meltdown in this wavering economy. She offers these strategies:
> Eyes Wide Open
Look inside your business at individual sources of revenue. Break apart the various types of clients, products and services and how you sell them. This will give you a better picture of where you're making money. Concentrate on your highest-profit products and services. Cull the unprofitable ones.
> Power of People
Manage your customer relationships - return customers take the least amount of effort - use that to your advantage. Keep in touch often.
> Show Me the Money
Manage your accounts receivable DAILY - 'nuf said.
> Diversify, Diversify, Diversify
Even if you focus on one niche, develop a diversity of offerings rather than put all your eggs in one basket.
> Join & Network
Get involved with your local NACE chapter, the ICA, the Catersource Forum - you'll reap the benefits of leaning on fellow industry profesisonals!
> Walk the Talk
Don't wait to be hit by revenue losses to look for spending that can be cut now. Keep inventory low, eliminate overtime, adhere to budgets and purchase smartly. Power walk through your organization, you'll find 10 more ways to save in 10 minutes!
> Mollycoddle
Pamper your best, most profitable customers. Drop the marginal, unprofitable ones.
> Roll with the Punches
Be as flexible as you can be with clients who are also cash strapped. Lower costs or provide more value where you realistically can. Let them know you'll work with them through the lean times. Good times will come back and so will these clients.
> Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Look up that rich uncle and invite him to dinner.
Meryl's note: "When writing these 10 points, I decided to send them to my team. They added a few more ideas that are worth noting!"
Jim, HR manager > Evaluating your marketing techniques, not only relying on those that are profitable, but looking for something new! Ask, ask, ask for the business...constantly be in your clients face.
Bernice, Event Planner > Give incentives (future) for those employees currently employed i.e. if someone's hours gets cut now, next Spring they get something in return when things turn around. No holiday party, but something more personal for full-timers, at a lesser cost to the company.
Andy, Owner > Revamp your deposit schedules; get them as early as possible to help with cash flow.
Bea, Event Planner > Whatever you can do in house, do it. From cleaning, to landscaping, to remodeling, to bookkeeping...you-name-it. If your business needs it, see who can provide it from within.
Locke, Executive Chef > Purchase smartly. Use up inventory.
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 As the great Yogi Berra once said, "It's déjà vu all over again!"
After stunning the industry two years ago with the release of its revolutionary Version 9.0 - and following up with last year's amazing Version 9.5 - Caterease Software is ready to turn heads once again.
"Caterease Software is preparing the release of Caterease v10," the industry-leading software company announced recently in a statement. "This remarkable update introduces hundreds of new tools and enhancements to our already feature-rich application."
Stop by Booth #709 at the Catersource Show for a demonstration of Caterease v10 and click here for more information about the enhancements and improvements Version 10 has to offer!
It's no wonder that this remarkable company stands alone as the leader of the catering and event management software industry. Even Yogi himself would be speechless.
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MTV Says "I Do"
Who knows the ups and downs of planning a wedding better than a caterer?!? MTV is looking for engaged couples between the ages of 18-22 who are tying the knot and want to tell their story: the excitement of the engagement, the fun along the way, and, of course, THE BIG DAY - preferable happening between now and the end of January 2009.
If you have a client that fits this description, ask them to get involved with MTV's hit reality series Engaged and Underage. Contact show producers at engagedandunderage@mtvstaff.com
or click here to take a peak at the show!
If your bride and groom are chosen for the show, please let us know! We'd love to follow through with a story in Catersource magazine.
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More Catersource winners
Congratulations to Anita Baglaneas of Jule's Catering in Sommerville, MA the winner of our Luxury VIP Package promotion for registering before October 31.
She will receive the full VIP treatment in Las Vegas this coming February!
 February 22-26Las Vegas Hilton & Convention Center
You can still get early bird pricing for the show by beating our new EXTENDED registration deadline:
December 5, 2008
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW
. . .
Catersource IS a winner!The Catersource
magazine team took part in the annual Minnesota Magazine and
Publications Excellence Awards dinner November 6 in Minneapolis, MN.
Our magazine took home four awards - twice as many as last year! Here
are the details:Best Overall Design
(Bronze Award)
Best Single Cover
May/June 2008
(Silver Award)
Best Single-Topic Issue
January 2008 Trends
(Silver Award)
Best Media Kit
(Silver Award)
. . .
 Simply GreenDon't forget, we want to know what YOU think about the green issues in the food service industry. How far are you willing to
go? What drives you, what holds you back? What are the benefits and/or
challenges you see? Submit your comments, questions, ideas and opinions
to our editor and stay tuned to see where Green is going to take us
next! Click here to email our editor. . .
 Tiger Oak Publication's Meetings + Events publishing group reaches 150,000 meeting and hospitality professionals quarterly. The stylish, intelligent publications are resources providing in-depth regional editorial coverage. Click the image to find out more. . . .
. . .
Get MORE fresh!
If you haven't been with us for our first full year of Get Fresh, you can now catch up on back issues of the e-newsletter by visiting our archives page. Some content may be a little 'past fresh', but still worthy - enjoy!
. . .
Get even more news!Get event news, resources and even more fresh ideas from our partner, Event Solutions. Click here to sign up for their e-mail newsletter. . . .
If you have a story, idea, question or comment for Get Fresh, please email us at newsletter@catersource.com
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