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TravelVision: Decking the Halls for 75 Years!

TravelVision: Decking the Halls for 75 Years!:

Wonderful party, wonderful historic hotel! Last night the halls were decked with ribbons and bows as Fort Lauderdale's historic Riverside Hotel celebrated it's 75th year. The Riverside, the oldest hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, has done a wonderful job of preserving it's historic charm while balancing it with modern luxury and amenities. It belongs to the Wells brother's family who in the 1930's envisioned this area as a destination and launched their dream. Originally a thoroughfare to the beach Las Olas Boulevard soon became known for its upscale shopping. The hotel sits proudly on this iconic American street and is the only hotel directly on it. Just step out the front doors and your on the boulevard alongside upscale boutiques, art galleries and restaurants or step in and you'll likely meet the neighbors of Las Olas at Prestin's Lounge.
A favorite hang of both locals and tourists today this trendy area is the perfect blend of old and new with places like The Floridian diner, Flora Ottimer's children's boutique and trendy hotspots like Rocco's Tacos. But wait there's more! Just minutes away from the Riverside Hotel by foot is Riverwalk where you can stroll along the water, eat more, explore more of Fort Laudedale's history or catch a Water Taxi. The Riverside Hotel is the perfect location!

Goal


"A goal properly set is halfway reached.”

"Um objetivo corretamente conjunto é meio caminho atingido."

75th Anniversary Proclamation for the Riverside Hotel


Good Evening,
I would like to express my gratitude to our Mayor Jack Seiler, Comissioner Rogers and Former Congressman Clay Shaw in presenting a Proclamation to the Riverside Hotel and Barbara Wells in an intimate setting with family members and long-time friends. It was a very special 75th Anniversary recognition of our Hotel located on beautiful Las Olas Boulevard.

Also to be recognized are Mike Weymouth, President of the Las Olas Company, Diane D'Angelo, CFO of the Las Olas Company, and Vann Padgett, VP of Real Estate for their outstanding leadership of the company!

Thank you,

Heiko Dobrikow
General Manager

PS: "Champ Carr" the first Hotel General Manager for the company would have been proud of the special soirée!

www.riversidehotel.com

Confidence


“Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking the tartar sauce with you.”

"Confiança é indo depois de Moby Dick em um barco e tendo o molho tártaro com você". 

Daily Leadership Tip: www.dobrikowgroup.blogspot.com

Keep walking


If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking

20 ways to get more review

When it comes to getting reviews from the media, I like to take the approach of 'you make your own luck'.

It’s very easy to send press releases to a selection of media publications, sit back and forget about it, but like any form of outreach, without a targeted approach the results will be poor.

The quality and quantity of your media reviews is tied directly to the amount of effort that is put in, and the amount of research that is done before you hit send on an email.

Working as both a blogger who reviews products, and as a marketer who is trying to get reviews, I’ve compiled 20 solutions based on my own experience.

So without further ado, let’s make some luck.

1. Reviews with competitions
When Mike Stelzner wanted to promote his new book he offered 50 bloggers a free copy of it to review and another one each for them to give away.

He got coverage for this giveaway, then for the reviews, and again in each competition on each site. Three sets of coverage in one go.

2. PR wire services
PR services like Gorkana let you subscribe to requests from journalists. Often this includes requests for products to review, and in the last week I’ve seen requests for video games, hotel stays, restaurants, gadgets, home décor and fitness products.

Monitoring these services helps you identify journalists who have specific needs in your niche.

3. HARO
Help a Reporter Out is the US equivalent of Gorkana (and it’s free!) so this should be used as another PR wire service.

They don’t allow journalists to ask for products to review (due to a few bad experiences) but by helping journalists with news requests they will keep you in mind for similar coverage that can lead to reviews.

4. Twitter hashtags
The two Twitter hashtags #journorequest and #journalistrequest have journalists asking questions. This also includes calls for products to review.

To cut down on wasted time, set up a filter (with Tweetdeck or Hootsuite) that includes the hashtag and a keyword for your niche.

5. Twitter friendships
Using followerwonk.com you can search Twitter bios to identify people who talk about things within your niche. When you find relevant people, add them to a list on Twitter and interact with them.

Over time you can introduce your product and ask for a review.

6. Press areas
Every website should have a press area, which lists a PR contact, so it’s really easy for people to get in touch. I regularly contact companies asking to review their products on my blog, and it’s so much easier for me as a blogger if they have a press area.

Make it as easy as possible for people to contact you and always respond.

7. Have a process
I’ve asked some companies for products to review before and found that although they want a review they take weeks to respond or to send products out. If I had a specific deadline this is very frustrating and makes me less likely to contact them again.

If you can’t react quickly you might miss a core opportunity, so put a process in place today so you can capitalise on reviews.

8. Consider all possibilities
The requirements of the media change for each publication. So while one may be able to return products, another may not. Just because a blogger can’t return your product, it doesn’t mean you should turn down the review.

If they are offering a link to your website, or they can show the product to a large number of people, then the value of this may be more than the cost for you to give a product away.

9. Exclusive blogger gifts
To encourage bloggers to talk about your product, try to make them feel special. To promote the movie Coraline, the producers sent out 50 boxes of movie props to influential bloggers, which helped them get high profile exposure. (More reading).

10. Site search
A sure-fire way to annoy the media is to ask for a review from websites that have never reviewed anything before and who never will.

So when you have a prospective website use their site search and simply look for the word “review”. If they don’t have a searchbox then search Google for “site:http://www.koozai.com review” and replace the URL with the site you want to explore.

11. Google search
The simplest way to find relevant sources is to use Google and look for sites that have previously reviewed products in your market. So a simple search like “product niche + review” can be very effective.

It also means that when you email the blog owner you can reference the review you found them for. This makes for a more natural conversation and is a better option than a generic “one size fits all” email.

12. Competitor copying
Likewise, you can use Google to find reviews of competitor products, or a similar product to your own. Search for “competitor product + review” and you’ll find people that already like to review products in your niche that you can contact.

Create an email that explains how your product is better or different to the competitor product, and use this for a very strong outreach proposition.

13. Google blog / news search
A standard Google search can find you a lot, but for really targeted prospect finding I prefer using Google Blog search and Google News search. You can access these search filters on the left hand side of Google after performing a search.

Rather than sifting through 208 million results for “Movie review” you have just “7920” on a news search. Much more manageable, and you can add extra keywords for a more specific search.

14. Technorati
To analyse several blogs at once, Technorati is a great directory. You can search blog posts from over one million blogs, helping you to find relevant media sites to contact.

A directory category system also lets you find blogs by sub categories, creating a handy list that you can use.

15. 'Sponsor' a review
If you’d rather spend money on someone else finding the right prospects for you, Sponsored Reviews will find bloggers to cover your products as part of their paid service.

The bloggers earn money for writing the review, which gives them an incentive to do so, and it’s an honest process with bloggers allowed to talk fairly about your products, keeping everything nice and ethical.

16. 'In the media' page
Every time we get a mention in the media at Koozai, we add it to a list on our website and we also link to the coverage.

Over time this has become an excellent resource for us, as when asking for press coverage we can point prospects to the ‘In the Media’ page and they can see that which publications have talked about us.

It also means that bloggers know they’ll get a link in return for coverage.

17. Get your design reviewed 
Alongside getting your product reviewed, you can also contact design websites and ask them to review your website design.

We’ve also seen success by sending images of clients products that are taken in an artistic way and getting these featured on design blogs.

18. Your customer service is under review
The most likely chance of someone writing about you online, without any input on your part, is a review of your customer service. Especially if they’ve had a bad experience.

So ensure your customer service is up to scratch as this type of review can really hurt. If your team are always helpful, bloggers may even review the positive experience that they’ve had.

19. PR Events
If your product would benefit from a demonstration, then invite a selected group of the media to see the product and let them get an exclusive look. This helps them feel valued, and allows you to give them a hands on experience.

However, you must be clear that they are being invited to test a product, otherwise this can lead to a backlash if bloggers are deceived into attending.

20. Look offline
Lots of print publications have websites that tend to have high numbers of visitors and links. To identify these places, use the list in the Writers Handbook (for a cheap solution), or in BRAD insights if you have more money to invest.

Both sources give you direct contact details for editors and key people who can get your product reviewed.

Mike Essex is Online Marketing Manager at Koozai Ltd and a guest blogger on Econsultancy. Follow him on Twitter. 

Learn from defeat

"If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost.”

"Se você aprender com derrota, você não realmente perdi.

Daily Leadership Tip: www.dobrikowgroup.blogspot.com

People to love

Respect people who find time for you in their busy schedule but love people who never look at their schedule when you need them.

Top Ten Reasons in retaining guests

Dec 16, 11 | 12:09 am

It's estimated it costs anywhere from 5 to 8 times more to gain a new customer as opposed to retaining your existing ones. When you consider the cost of advertising, marketing, sales people, etc. to attract new customers this becomes obvious.
It's also said that 68% of customers will fail to return if they feel unappreciated. This is the number one reason businesses lose customers.
Based upon these two statistics, it is obvious your business be it a hotel, B&B or restaurant needs to place as strong an emphasis on keeping existing customers as it does on gaining new ones. Here are ten ways to do this.
1.      Last impressions.
Make sure your guests leave with great lasting impression of their stay with you. Ensure they realise that you appreciate their custom. A sincere thank you in person goes a long way. Give them a little memento to take home with them as a lasting reminder: a box of homemade truffles, jam or pickles or gift bag of your exclusive toiletries for your leisure guests, or quality logoed accessories for your corporate market. Following this up with a simple personalised thank you note a few days later will not only show your appreciation, but it will give them something to remember you by, especially if it is handwritten and tailored to them.  
2.      Keep in touch.
Out of sight is out of mind so even if your guests are only likely to visit you once a year, keep in touch with them for the whole year so that when they come to book again you are very firmly in their mind. Let them know what other activities you have going on, you never just know it could just tip the balance in favour of them coming to see you as an extra visit. You can also remain on their radar by your presence on social media. Do your homework first and find out the best options to suit your guests.
3.      Reward their loyalty with exclusive deals.
Make your loyal guests feel special by putting together packages or deals which are exclusive to them. This again demonstrates your appreciation of their custom, as well as potentially prompting additional bookings. As a loyal guest, the last thing you want to hear about is an offer that's only available to ‘new' customers.
4.      Understand your guests' needs.
Keep up-to-date with what your guests want from you by listening to them. Get to know your guests and be visible in your hotel, making personal contact with your guests to build rapport and trust. They are then far more likely to tell you what they want and what would encourage them to return. The more you get to know your guests the easier it is to anticipate their needs, and deliver what they want on a consistent basis to keep them satisfied. Avoid being so bound by your own rules that you can't be flexible. If a guest wants a lie in and would like breakfast at 11.30, is this really that big a problem if it means they enjoy their stay and tell their friends?
5.      Ask for feedback.
Never take your regular guests for granted; ask for their feedback and resolve shortfalls quickly. Problems or challenges are often your opportunity to shine and leave a positive lasting impression if dealt with positively. Now's a chance to exceed expectations. Face to face feedback will always win over a comments form or questionnaire.  Ask them what they like and what disappoints them if anything, so you can learn from this and continually improve.  Guests will be flattered if you ask for their opinions. So also ask for their feedback on new ideas, or for their recommendations on how things can be improved.
6.      Remember them.
Address your guests by name; it's really positive when someone remembers your name especially when you aren't expecting it. This goes for giving the name right when you're writing it down. And although you may know this regular guest, do your staff know them too. Record their personal details and any special requirements. Do they have any particular likes and dislikes, what is their favourite room, do they have any particular requirements such as a late check in. Do we know their birthday or any special anniversaries? Remembering such details will always be appreciated.
7.      Get the basics right.
Ensure your guests' second, third, or 50th visit is as good as their first. Have systems in place to ensure you're able to deliver the same level of service on a consistent basis. Take the customer journey regularly, and see everything from a guest's perspective. Be sure to under promise and over deliver. With regular guests this means continuous improvement, as they will have set expectations, which we need to strive to exceed on every visit. Simple things delivered well will always be better than trying to be over sophisticated and delivering it badly.
8.      Train your staff.
Your staff need to know the level of service that your guests expect, and have the appropriate training, tools and systems in place in order for them to deliver this. Brief your team so that they too can recognise and remember your loyal guests and empower them to deliver what your guests want and expect. In the unfortunate event that your guests have cause to complain, give your staff the training, confidence and authority to deal with complaints promptly. Your recovery of the situation can in itself earn you brownie points.
9.      Know your competition.
Keep an eye on your competitors, what they are charging, new services they offer, improvements, marketing promotions, etc. Make sure your services are the best value for the money. You do not necessarily have to lower your prices when your competitors do, but make sure your guests know that you are worth the extra money. Stay competitive.
But I'm not just talking about other hotels; your guests will compare you with anyone else who delivers a service. So as long as you deliver a five-star service you're going to compare favourably with all your ‘competition'.
10.   Wow your guest.
Think of the things that are of high value to your guests but low cost to you so you can give added value. Give people a reason to talk about you. Always look for an opportunity to go that extra mile to wow your guest to make it really difficult for them to ever contemplate not coming back to you.
It's all about giving guests a reason to return.

Facing Change

Changing the Face can change nothing. But'Facing the Change' can change everything

Yesterday And Today

Don’t Let Yesterday take up too much of Today

Success

 “Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.”

"Sucesso é a utilização máxima da capacidade que você tem". 

Daily Leadership Tip: www.dobrikowgroup.blogspot.com

Ladder of success

"You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure.”

"Você não pode subir a escada do sucesso vestido com o traje de falha".

Good at home

"People who have good relationships at home are more effective in the marketplace.”

"As pessoas que têm boas relações em casa são mais eficazes do mercado."

Motivation

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.”

"As pessoas muitas vezes dizem que motivação não dura. Bem, nem faz balneares - é por isso que recomendamos diariamente. " 

Daily Leadership Tip: www.dobrikowgroup.blogspot.com

Failure is not a person

"Remember that failure is an event, not a person”

"Lembre-se que a falha é um evento, não uma pessoa" 

Winterfest Boat Parade is TODAY!

Come to the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulvard with convenient parking!

Watch the opening Winterfest Boat Parade FIREWORKS from one of the 3 PARTIES offered by the Riverside Hotel!

Book your Party Tickets (VIP River Patio Party $109pp, VIP Dock Party $55pp, Family Friendly Viewing Area $25pp) today by calling 954-467-0671 or by clicking on the link below:

http://riversidewinterfest.qrickets.com/

PLEASE RESHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Attitude

Daily Leadership Tip:

"Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude”

"Sua atitude, não sua aptidão, irá determinar sua altitude" 

Rockin' Boats & Holiday Floats - One more day to the Winterfest Boat Parade!



Come join us at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas and be part of the starting point of the 40th Winterfest Boat Parade!

Book your Party Tickets (VIP River Patio Party $109pp, VIP Dock Party $55pp, Family Friendly Viewing Area $25) today by calling 954-467-0671 or by clicking on the link below:

http://riversidewinterfest.qrickets.com/

Born to Win!

Daily Leadership Tip:

 “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”

"Você nasceu para ganhar, mas para ser um vencedor, você deve planejar vencer, prepare-se para ganhar e esperar ganhar". 

Make every hour count!

Don’t count every hour in the Day… Make every Hour in the Day Count

Winterfest Boat Parade Count Down


Save the Date: December 10th - Starting at 6pm - Winterfest Boat Parade Party Count Down: Only 2 Days left ~ Come to the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard

See the Start of the Winterfest Boat Parade at the Riverside Hotel:

Book your Party Tickets (VIP River Patio Party $109pp, VIP Dock Party $55pp, Family Friendly Viewing Area $25) today by clicking on the link below:

http://riversidewinterfest.qrickets.com/

Your own path


When you come to a fork in the road and don’t like either direction, make your own path!

You are the one!


Daily Leadership Tip:

“You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.”

"Você é a única pessoa na terra que pode usar sua capacidade".