How To Get More Table Bookings Without Giving Up More Of Your Time
Long gone are the days when guests would patiently wait for responses or services. Today’s clientele wants everything now. Speedy replies. Quick service. It’s a challenge to keep pace.
Instead of your front-of-house taking phone calls to take reservations, customers are messaging you via your Facebook page. And if you don’t reply quickly, they’ll try the next.
Before you know it, the number of tables in your restaurant heavily replies on your fast fingers. And it’s not always possible to reply quickly. You’re a busy business owner. With a family who need your attention. Staff who want a ‘quick word’ and suppliers who want to know where to leave the stock. Sorry, Betty, who wants to book a table for her husband’s 60th Birthday meal. You’ll have to hold on while I deal with everyone else.
So, what can you do?
Of course, you can employ someone to keep an eye on this. Or task it out to the staff you currently employ.
But they were not working at 7 am when Betty had her brainwave. They won’t be in until 11 am.
So, you’re in the same predicament.
And Betty’s booked the place over the road in the meantime.
I know what you’re thinking. “Calum, they can put a man on the moon, but I have to reply to my own messages?”.
And you’d be right.
That technology is out there. So that you don’t have to reply to each message. And it’s readily available.
What you need is a ‘chatbot’.
Think of this as your robot friend. That gives immediate responses to enquiries (and also doesn’t take sick days or request annual leave).
Reducing wait times. Increasing customer satisfaction.
And…
You guessed it, increasing bookings!
Betty is happy. You’re happy. You have your life back. You’re not glued to your phone 24/7. Neither are your staff and enquiries are sorted.
The Challenge of Keeping Pace
Adapting to new tools and systems can be daunting.
Especially for us hospitality folk who are used to traditional methods.
And to be honest – not every technology advancement will be right for your business. But it’s good to be in the know. Especially if it can streamline your business and save you a headache.
And that’s what Forked Up is about. Amongst other things. We help you keep up with current trends (if they’ll suit your business). We’ll help you set standards with customer service and operational efficiency. Whether that’s with a chatbot or something else.
If you want a chat about how Forked Up can help your hospitality business, book a call here.
No pressure. Just two business owners having a frank chat. If we’re a good fit, and I can help you, then we’ll talk about the ways we can work together.
– Calum