I have an interview tomorrow night with another hotel for a SMERFE/Government Sales Manager. It is just want I would want since I do love the SMERFE Manager position. Don’t get me wrong, I like Corporate too but I find that the people are warmer and much more sincere than your typical Corporate Transient Account.

To prepare myself, I made the family eat left overs and I headed on over to take a peek at the hotel. I am not familiar with their market nor am I familiar with the property.

The hotel was hopping. I almost died when I saw two of my tour buses out in their lot…..that I stole and booked their whole series is at my hotel for 2009. Wouldn’t that be ironic if I did get an offer and accepted the position?

The location is okay, my current hotel is a bit farther…believe it or not but the traffic will be much worse. It took me under 10 minutes to get home without much traffic tonight.

I always recommend that if possible that before your interview you should tour the hotel. I checked them out on their website then made time to walk around the property to check it out.

From the moment I walk into a property I can tell how I would do as a Sales Person. I communicate with the staff to see how helpful they are and always I stop at the desk to bug them too. Most of the time I just tell them I am a bride and I stopped in since I was in the area.

I didn’t find the lobby to be a “WOW” and I can see that they are worn. But I also found out that they have completed their first phase of their multi renovation plan. I just got done at my current hotel…for over 2 years of renovations. Gosh, I can’t seem to get a break here….LOL. But at least I’m experienced in dealing with unhappy customers during renovations.

Well, I’ll let you know how my interview goes. We will see.

Good Luck Selling!

Pure Energy

What a day.  Three days off to recoup and relax…..coming in the office this morning strong, focused with tons of energy…..ready for the attack….ready to stir up potential leads.  Took my trace calls out and got them ready.  Took my leads out and got them ready.   Ya hoo, ready to rock in roll!  The soliciting begins.

I promised myself I would learn more about the city that has been taking my rfp’s and convention leads.  So during down time I called a couple of the hotels to inquire, as a client, about rates and meeting space.  I need to know what they are charging so I can find my niche.  I must say, I picked low end and top end hotels to call…..I DID NOT GET ONE PHONE CALL BACK.  Yes, I called from my cell phone and there is no way that they knew who I was.  Can you believe it…not one phone call back.  There’s one niche!  Boy that’s a no brainier!

I found a lead today for 2,000 room nights annually in my area that usually books in the city.  Funny that I was working on her first lead (30 room nights for spring of 2009) and I simply asked one additional question……in a friendly and interested manner…..what other business needs do you have in my market?  I couldn’t imagine that she was sitting on a lead that was worth this many room nights.  Yes I know that is part of qualifying and I should be asking these questions anyway.  But I didn’t think she would have anything else…..now I’m sitting here thinking WHO ELSE?    Could I have missed something?

Maybe it’s time to slow down, think and better prepare prior to my calls.  I’m so busy rushing trying to get in volume calls and hoping that I can turn some around.  So many distractions and things on my mind noting still the office renovations not completed, need to support the revenue needed for the renovation plan, still the blitz this week and Opera Training next week…….all these pressures. 

I have all of these hot leads, great idea’s, plans, goals and I must follow up on what I already have stirred up.  I just can’t seem to get the perfect game plan together thus I flounder.  By the afternoon I was fully cooked and pretty much ready to throw in the towel and call it a day.  

I simply couldn’t be left alone to do the job I love…..selling.  I spent time on billing problems from this past weekend, complaints about this past weekend from my sports group, stupid annoying distractions that I don’t have enough room to note (you can imagine), issues, issues, issues.  Then at 3:00pm my GM came in my office area to tell me that I have to start cleaning the office….we are getting our franchise inspection this Thursday.  I turned and looked at him sincerely and said “it’s prime selling time”. 

Doesn’t he see the fire in my eyes, the will power, drive and desire to be #1.   What is he thinking?  IT’S PRIME SELLING TIME……any good GM will know this.  SET ME FREE!

I don’t mind cleaning and yes, I want the Sales Office to look as nice as it could for our inspection.  But right now at this time it’s prime and if I’m not calling, working and emailing then someone is…..and I don’t like that.

Needless to say, he said he wanted it done so I put a halt on my efforts, took a deep breath, packed up my stuff and started to straighten up.  Now I was fried flounder and definitely ready to just head for home.

Tomorrow I’ll be out on the road in the Corporate Parks dropping off information on the lunch buffet promotion…..the $14.95 lunch plus beverage, tax and tip……the one I must overcome my own personal opinion and must believe in……….yea right.  I’m going to find leads.  At least I’ll be left alone.

Good luck tomorrow! 

I’ll give you feedback on the wonderful lunch buffet blitz.  LOL

Pure Energy