It has been 5 weeks since my back surgery and what I thought would be a ten day to two-week recovery has turned into a long physical therapy program that still has about 21 more weeks to go.
However, what can you expect when you have an erector set implanted on both sides of your spine? Rods and screws make a good-looking train track. At least I am able to walk further than before and every day, I get a little better.
During these past weeks, I have spoken to and watched sadly, as my clients have opened with so many restrictions that it is difficult for them to make any money. Some very profitable clients are just happy, at this point, to pay their bills. Others with 50% restrictions are doing 30% to 40%. Those with 25% restrictions are really struggling.
Some, without any food or beverage restrictions, or even at 50% restrictions, are doing better. One client’s outside dining did 20% more this July than July 2019.
Others say business is slow while others are counting on league bowling, in late August or early September, to bring them back.
The fact that there are so many different scenarios out there, it is hard to pinpoint or recommend all encompassing strategies; not that it was ever easy, but you could at least look at some universals. Today, not so much.
One thing is for certain, parks, recs, and day camps numbers are down as well as business groups. I would assume that is probably is your biggest hit from last year.
Below, I have created groupings of centers based upon open play activity and then recommended some ideas to build business up until your 50% or 25% restriction. I know that you may not agree with the ideas below, but even if you do not, maybe it will give you a different perspective at how to look at your center and what to do to fix, at least, part of the business.
Group 1: Very soft Open Play
Group 2: Teens and Young adults only; no family open play
Group 3: Heavy Cosmic Bowling:
Group 4: Families coming slowly but building daily:
Use this group to “bring a friend (I.e. another family). If they bring another family, they get $20 or $25 dollar gift certificates for use on their next visit. The new family gets a gift certificate also but for $10 or $15. Make these people your sales representatives. Get testimonials from them and follow up on Facebook (and post on your website) with these testimonials and pictures. Better yet, have them do a brief video for you; maybe get the kids to talk and be videoed as well! Pay them $1 and get releases from them.
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