My hotel is hosting the descendants of the “War of 1812 Reunion” this weekend. They have been a quiet, pleasant group….not like the last group I had in. They need little (that tells me that one of the Sales Manager did their job in detailing) and they are frankly a great bunch.

The men are all decked out….very quiet and professional. This is serious stuff. The ladies are quiet and wearing their little badges sitting proud by their man. It’s quite a site.

I will post more information about the War on Monday night. It’s pretty interesting.

I don’t think we “WOWED” the tour bus that stayed for two nights and checked out this morning. Although the bus driver very extremely friendly, the whole group was miserable. Then the Tour Operator who booked it with me called and left a message that there were some complaints. WHAT? I didn’t hear any complaints as I stayed half the night to watch over them to be sure they were comfortable. THIS WAS THE WORST GROUP EVER!”

Well, I had a thing or two to say…nicely….to the Tour Operator. I let them know that I was there all night until they went off to their rooms. One room was dirty at check in so we moved the room immediately. One room the remote didn’t work….I called Maintenance to check it out and replace it. One room didn’t have a sink stopper…..Maintenance did that too. Boy they really loved me that night.

They could not give me exact complaints. How can I help then? Whiny bastards!

Although the whole booking annoyed me from start to end for this Tour Group, I made it through it and they left. Thank God! Yes, I did trace them out to solicit for more business. Oh my.

Hope you are off tomorrow!

Pure Energy

Another week ahead.  I’m thinking of my game plan and how I will manage my time.  I plan to work on my Time Management Skills this week to get more soliciting calls out in an effort to close on new business….or at least stir up some interest for future bookings. 

First I will contact the accounting department to find out if there are any SMERFE Clients that have direct billing established.  They will be my first phone calls out in the morning to qualify them.  Second I will focus on the “2008 Book of Business” (supplied by the Business Journal) to locate associations and non-profit organizations.  I will solicit all of them via phone and email…..I must get my internet problem fixed! That should keep me busy.

Next week we are being trained on our new Opera Sales System.  I must accomplish two weeks of soliciting in this upcoming week so I don’t fall behind.  We are told to keep the whole week of the 25th free.  I know it will make our department run better and provide more client history etc.  But I am not looking forward to it at all.

I’m a smoker.  Yes, we do waste time.  This is another area that I am going to work on this week.  I’m bringing less cigarettes with me tomorrow so I won’t go with the “gang” as much.  We all smoke in the Sales Office here.  I’m even thinking about quiting.

The Military Convention starts on Wednesday.  I will be working late Wednesday at their Meet & Greet to welcome everyone.  They are having their banquet program on Saturday and I plan to stop in around 7pm to check up on them.  Remember, I can’t let them down so I will have to sacrifice just a bit of my time.  I’m excited.

My last prayer tonight will be that I achieve my personal sales goals this week.  It’s all up to me.

Good night.

Pure Energy

Today was like the day from hell.  I couldn’t focus, get calls out or even think of anything.  I had one proposal and three contracts to get out this morning.  Once I type them they need to be signed off on by the DOS.  The contracts are new and much different then I am used to.  Although I am a pretty fast typist, they are taking me sooooo long to complete.  I was pulling my hair out by 11:00am as I floundered around trying to get back on track.

The office is being renovated and I can’t believe the working conditions I am trying to function under.  The banging, sawing, dust & dirt, noise levels….oh, my, need I say more? 

I haven’t had internet in more than a week nor the reservation system so I can’t check availability for my inquires or email my clients. And I’m sorry but that Country Music in the background that the workers are listening to, not to mention the “F” work every minute, was simply too much today.  I’M TRYING TO SELL HERE!  We are told that it will take another week or so.  Pathetic.

The tour bus contact called today to complain about his bill.  The room rate included continental breakfast and all taxes and although the package was built correctly, he was still charged taxes, more than $9 per room.  So of course he wants to be credited and of course I will have to waste time now getting everything together for review for his charge back.  And I felt like a fool and then I thought “again another front desk posting issue.” What’s the deal here?

I scheduled a preconvention meeting for tomorrow earlier this week for a large military convention that starts arriving on the 18th.  I have been working with my client now for over a year mostly by email.  I am online with here about something every single week. She is counting on me to make sure that everyone communicates with each other about what they need so it runs smoothly and they are proud.  Only one Manager took the time to even question me about this meeting.  I will soon see who I can count on.

Tomorrow I am expecting more chaos and more breathing in spackle dust.  My goal today was to get as many appointments and site inspections for next week.  I never did get back on track but I did get an “almost” but then she decided to wait until after the upcoming Holiday.  Don’t you just hate that excuse. 

I have lost three of my new solicitations that did come out for a hotel tour.   Our curb appeal is horrible while we are waiting for the new lighting to be put in….sometime next week. Although we are trying to be a beautiful as we can, the outside of the building is worn and old looking. We are adding new landscaping and when this project is completed we will appear to look much newer.  I can’t wait.

I am now going to spend the rest of my evening preparing for battle and tomorrow’s challenges.  I’m keeping it as positive as I can. Good luck selling!

Pure Energy