How to Handle Sponsorships

Sponsorship, especially on exchange deal is one marketing tool that is, in my opinion, the most cost-effective.

Sponsorship asked from restaurants have better retention in people's minds rather than advertisements. Sponsorships usually have the following:

• Sponsorship requests come from company's with a targeted audience, which if matched with yours, will be a good activity.
• Sponsorships allow you to do other things on-premise or during the event like flyering, streamer display, inclusion in tri-media, printed materials and online promotions.
• Exchange deals for restaurants gives the customers try the food. The cost will also be lesser for restaurants because of the added profit margin on food.

If you get a letter for sponsorship, review it based on the following:

• Are the people in this event or activity same as my target market?
• Is it still in my budget?
• Will my name be seen among all the other sponsors?
• What other activities am I entitled to?
• Will signing up for the sponsorship bring good mileage for my restaurant?
• Is the event aligned with the company's values and principles?

Admittedly, there will be sponsorships that will be beyond your need. Example, there might be a great artist coming to Manila and you are located in another city. You may be able to afford it but being based in another city, the event might not be a good activity for you.

There will also be activities that might be congruent with your thrust or company principles. Example, you are a family restaurant and the event is for a bikini open contest. Great event but not in tandem with your values.

If you decide and if the requesting party or organizer agrees, an exchange deal is the best arrangement for restaurants. Exchange deals can be partial or full barter deals. Partial meaning you pay part in cash and part in services or product. Remember to compute the full or partial barter based on your selling or published price not on your food cost. This way, you save by actually jsut spending for food cost. There might be arrangements for discounts or gift certificates. Compute all these based on your selling price.

Other things to check:

LOGO. Make sure your logo is placed properly.

COMPANY NAME. Your company name should be spelled correctly. Sometimes, it is better to use your company name together with your logo to build your brand and at the same time, identify your company properly.

POSTERS OR STREAMERS. Ask to be able to place your streamers in the venue or to distribute flyers.

Sponsorships are great! Do not instantly shun just about any letter that comes your way. It is a great way to spread the word about your place.

Creating a Service Culture

They say restaurants have to be a great combination of great food, suitable setting and great service. I totally agree.

In this article, I would like to focus on the topic of great service.

It all starts with creating a culture of service. An owner or manager or the management team sets this. This is the kind of message they send to their employees in terms of how they want their employees to treat or attend to their customers. I am saying it should be from management because most of the time employees do emulate from their leaders.

So how exactly do you create a culture of service?

First, managers and owners should clearly define policies regarding service. It is more than knowing or setting tables right or having the trendiest menu. It is setting the "mood" you want in the restaurant. It is defining behavior you want your servers to have, the proper answers to probable questions. It is also setting the manner as to how complaints and adversities are going to be handled.

Second, managers and owners should be great service examples. When employees see managers not minding diners who have requests or treating them in a foul way, they would not have any inspiration to do otherwise. Our bosses are doing it, why will we do otherwise?

Third, encourage great service. This is done by measuring what is great service and rewarding employees when they are consistently giving it.

Fourth, listen to customers. When customers feel that what they say and think is important, it puts your restaurant in a special place in their choice of dining.

Creating a setting that encourages great service in your restaurants is absolutely important.

Does your restaurant need a website?

Well, seems like a simple question, right? Not entirely. But yes.

So does your restaurant need a website? If you're a local restaurant with home-cooked-style meals or if you cater mostly to locals?

Being online seems to be a must these days. A website is good but while you are still contemplating on getting one, you may get a facebook or twitter page for your company for the time being.

Here are a few criteria before you go sign a web development contract.

1. BIGGER FUTURE PLANS.

If you have a plan to expand the business to a level that it would need promotions beyond your locale, then get a website.

2. MAJOR TOURISM PLAYER

If your restaurant is a major restaurant in your area, especially if your area is a popular or upcoming destination, then get a website. Tourists going to a certain destination search ahead of their travel for places to go to, restaurants and hotels online.

3. UNIQUE MENU OR RESTAURANT CONCEPT

The world is always on the lookout for a unique eat.

4. BRAND

If you are building your brand for expansion or franchise, a website is always a good tool.