Keep It Simple

By Greg Coffone
Published: 05/01/11 Topics: Comments: 0

I recently read a blog posted by a much respected officer of a Vacation Rental Software Company. In it he purposes the calculation of the worth of a client. In this former vacation rental manager’s opinion, software companies have clients, we have guests.

By definition a client is a person or organization using the services of a professional person or company. A guest is a person who spends some time at another person's home.

If we begin to view our guests as corporate clients, we loose the very essence of a Vacation Rental Manager. Many of us became VRM’s because we had a passion for making a vacation memorable. It is our responsibility to make our guest’s comfortable and secure.

It is not important to gather as much information about them as possible to determine if they will rent from us again, or to figure out if our advertising is working. They booked didn’t they? Will they come back? If they come back to our area, and we helped make their vacation memorable, good chance we will see them again.

Many software companies are looking for ways to add revenue. Let’s face it, a reservation isn’t that difficult and most software has it down pat. It’s hard to charge more for a reservation process.

Whistles and Bells are revenue generators. They are heavily promoting analytical processes. These are fine for the “big boys”, however, does the average VRM have time to analyze his/her reservation data? The writer I mentioned above recommends using a formula developed by a major business school to “calculate” the worth of a client.

Well when you finish inspecting properties, doing maintenance, taking reservations, solving guest problems, dealing with employees, maybe you can take your calculator to bed with you.

Here is my formula. Make sure your properties are ready, put a smile on your face, and put the welcome mat out. The rest will take care of it self.

Author: Greg Coffone, Vacation Rental Association
Blog #: 0183 – 05/01/11