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August 31, 2005
How may we be of service?
Ok, I admit it; I’m a Foodie! Big time, and I really mean BIG TIME! ;-) Having a sophisticated and fun 3 hours+ dinner with my friends is on of the pleasures of my life and most people who know me have experienced these “mini-vacations” with me at one time or another. Pete and I are pretty much on the same wave length on the food situation (unfortunately you can tell when you see us) ;-). Chris is still “in training” when it comes to that, but I’m working on it!
In any event, this weekend we went to the Belvedere Restaurant at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills (the best hotel in L.A.) to enjoy their Sunday night special. Shortly after we were seated we found out that they did no longer offer the special dinner we came for. So, we told the waiter that we decided to no have dinner there anymore. As you might know, this is where most “regular” restaurants would drop you like you’re dead weight. Not so the Peninsula! Our waiter apologized that the hotel decided to change the menu and that we made the trip without getting what we came for. Then he left our table only to return 1 minute later with another bread basket, butter, some pistachios and the manager who asked us, which other local restaurant he may call for us to get us in right away. Amazing! We ended up having dinner at Spago just about 30 minutes later (thanks the Peninsula call we got right in). Service is what separates the boys from the men and it doesn’t become more clear than in situations such as this. Even though the Belvedere was not able to “sell to us” they still "serviced us", saved our evening, and ultimately gained three new evangelists. What a way to do business! This is right in line with my personal philosophy on marketing. Chris and I are both members of WOMMA (Word of Mouth Marketing Organization). I’ll be writing more about service, word of mouth marketing, and how these two can make or break a business in the future.
Posted by Ben at August 31, 2005 12:37 AM
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Comments
Ben,
Good job!!! I think you would be fantastic as a restaurant critic..
CW
Posted by: CW at September 1, 2005 09:32 AM