09 Aug 10 Keeping Group Cruise Planning Simple
Planning a group cruise can seem like a logistical nightmare at first, but is not actually a complex as it might seem on the surface. Follow these three basic tips to keep your sanity and composure while simultaneously planning a great group cruise:
- Create lockdown dates – If last minute changes drive you crazy, then eliminate them simply by letting everyone know that the cruise line has a lockdown date for final planning. This works even when cruise lines do not have such a date, or if you put your lockdown date a little bit ahead of theirs. Remember to stick to whatever date you provide participants via e-mail or memo.
- Get help – Most cruise lines have concierge services that can take a fair portion of the planning and logistics off of your shoulders, but they need to know what you want. It might be a good idea to contact the concierge service/planner and make a point of contact that can provide you with options and details that can be passed on to participants/decision makers.
- Have alternatives ready – If you suspect that Bob Jones from sales is going to request something that is unavailable, having an alternative that is acceptable is better than a no. Be sure to explore alternatives before using those terrible two little letters: N and O.
Tags: Bob Jones, Composure, Concierge Service, Concierge Services, Cruise Line, Cruise Lines, Decision Makers, E Mail, Group Cruise, Little Bit, Logistical Nightmare, Logistics, Minute Changes, Participants, Point Of Contact, Sanity, Service Planner, Shoulders, Terrible Two
18 Sep 09 Courtesy Under Pressure
Planning an event can be stressful for both the planner and the client. Some events just naturally involve more stress than others. Weddings are a good example. Everyone is going to come into contact with stressed clients sooner or later and it can be very helpful to have a game plan for such times.
Listen. Before you do anything else, close your mouth and listen to what an unhappy client is trying to tell you. Mirror what you have heard by paraphrasing what he has told you. This can help clarify the situation and sometimes it is enough for an overwrought client to know that he has been heard.
Now that you know what the problem is, ask what the individual wants to see happen. What is the best possible outcome and is it within the realm of possibility? If you cannot right a situation, do you know someone who may be able to handle it? Sometimes there is no alternative but to give a problem over to a superior.
Always remain courteous. It costs nothing but a little effort and most of the time it will defuse the situation. Maintain your sense of composure and keep reminding yourself that this too shall pass.
Tags: Best Possible Outcome, Composure, Game Plan, Stress, Unhappy Client, Weddings
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