Tom Woodforde’s Post

True story: 2 business travelers check into a hotel. One chooses to use the check-in kiosk (not me) and one chooses to speak with a lovely guest services associate. Q: Which guest ended up with their room far closer to the convention area where our event was held? Guest 1 (who used the kiosk) Guest 2 (who spoke to a human) Leave your answer below!

We had ZERO people attending ….. We had ZERO confirmations ….. But we had a DESIRE to bring what we knew could change peoples lives so we ✨put our credit card down for a lovely price and booked the most expensive hotel in the area ✨we meticulously worked with the staff on an incredible menu for the day including a VIP dinner ✨we created content that would maximize the day and create results in people’s lives We SOLD it out ! We took inspired action on our DESIRE and our VISION and we had FAITH that we would fill the room Do you want to easily and effortlessly experience results like we achieve ? Join us next week online. See the comments below. We can’t wait to teach you more #personalgrowth #leadershipdevelopment #executivecoaching

How unreasonable are you being in your business? Take 13 minutes to watch this TED Talk about unreasonable hospitality - I promise, it's a game changer. https://lnkd.in/dan-_eWV

The #1 secret to success in short-term rentals: Taking care of guests like they're family. That's it. The best hosts are the ones who focus on the hospitality side of things. The difference between a good host and a great host is the way they make their guests feel. Small gestures go a long way. - A welcome note - A local guidebook - A bottle of wine And most importantly: - Communication throughout their stay Make your guests feel like they're at home. Get personal. That's how you ensure they return to you and not your competition.

The Power of Positive Reviews and Online Reputation Positive reviews and a strong online reputation are crucial for attracting new guests. We encourage satisfied guests to share their experiences online and respond to feedback to build trust and credibility. Since our recent Book Club experience with Unreasonable Hospitality, we have been getting incredible reviews like the one below. I love seeing our teams delivering this kind of experience to our guests on a regular basis. What are you doing to drive guest reviews? Do you have any suggestions on how to improve response rates? DM me to chat. #OnlineReputation #GuestReviews

How do you live out radical hospitality in your daily life?

Interesting story… Today, I saw a LinkedIn post from a training and development professional who essentially went on a tirade about his stay at a specific hotel. Needless to say, he did NOT enjoy his time there and took to LinkedIn to share his experience while tagging the franchise company and the brand. I can understand going to a place like TripAdvisor or the hotel’s direct website to post genuine feedback whether it’s positive or negative, but to publically bash an entire company on LinkedIn over a bad hotel stay is wild to me. This is coming from someone who used to work for that specific company and knows that they are the textbook definition of professionalism. People who don’t work in the hospitality industry have no idea what kinds of things we go through on a regular basis. We bend over backwards to ensure that all guests are enjoying themselves and we do what we can. Even when people are yelling and screaming in our faces, and in some cases, throwing things at us, we still keep a pleasure demeanor while trying to help the best we can. Moral of the story: there’s a time and a place for everything, and how you approach things matters. Be kind to everyone, and be the one that makes a difference.

Have you heard of a Progressive Dinner? We're halfway through our Tours & Pours series with Greater STL so thought I'd drop some thoughts on why hosting a progressive dinner is the ultimate dinner party move. 🎉 Instead of staying at one restaurant all night, your group hops between amazing venues for each course. Trust me, it's a game-changer for corporate events 🤝 Why our clients are loving this format: The energy is totally different from traditional dinners - people naturally mix and mingle as they move between spots. It's like a VIP tour of multiple restaurants in one night. Even the quietest people end up connecting through natural conversation starters and the vibe refresh at each stop 🎯 After coordinating numerous successful progressive dinners, I've nailed down the sweet spots: 25 people max is the magic number for easy flow; 3-4 venues within walking distance (or add transportation to spread the stops out); 45 minutes per spot + mix in some surprise entertainment or a hands-on experience ✨ Let's connect if you're curious and want to bring the fun to your team or clients. Current itineraries highlight Downtown, South Grand, Clayton and Cherokee but we're always ready to spin up something new 📸 Check out these moments from last week's Tours & Pours event with Greater St. Louis, Inc. Downtown St. Louis #CorporateEvents #STLRestaurants #EventPlanning #ClientExperience

A TALE OF SERVICE Forgetfulness! In the dance of hotel guests and staff, A misstep can lead to financial gaff. Consider Mr. Johnson, a tale to tell, His preference forgotten, it didn't bode well. In the realm of hospitality's grand show, Forgetting is a luxury we cannot bestow. As Mr. Johnson's request slipped away, The revenue prospects started to sway. Lost repeat business, a bitter pill to swallow, Negative reviews, like a storm to follow. In this digital age of trends and tweets, A single slip-up can defeat the feats. So it is all about training, communication too, To ensure our service is always true. For in this industry where guests hold sway, Forgetting is never the trendiest way. #HospitalityInsights #ServiceStories #GuestExperienceMagic #TrendyHospitality

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to send me birthday wishes! Yesterday was fantastic, and the highlight had to be a wonderful lunch at The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe. For those unfamiliar, it's partly owned by none other than James May – yes, Captain Slow himself, known for his flowing locks and leisurely driving style on The Grand Tour and Top Gear. With The Grand Tour trio now heading off in separate directions after years of entertaining us with their unique brand of motoring mischief, it felt fitting to celebrate at a pub with May’s connection. And what a place it is – a quintessentially English pub, full of charm and character. The food was absolutely outstanding, and it got me thinking: what makes an experience truly memorable? It’s when something exceeds expectations, isn’t it? Whether it's an exceptional meal, a captivating show, or even… your interactions with businesses. Think about the companies that have left a lasting impression on you. What did they do differently? How did they go above and beyond? I’d bet they exceeded your expectations in some way – maybe through remarkable service, a unique solution, or by making you feel genuinely valued. In today’s competitive landscape, exceeding expectations isn’t just a nice touch – it’s essential. It’s how you build loyalty, earn a strong reputation, and, ultimately, drive success. So, here’s a little challenge: how are you exceeding expectations for your clients and customers? Food for thought, wouldn’t you agree? 🍽️🍷 #exceedingexpectations #thegrandtour #customerservice