We love going there, the team know us, the manager knows us, there is always a great atmosphere and it is a real treat that we always look forward to.
The little touches are so important, finding you a good place to sit, recommending a special wine, suggesting a new beer, letting you have a sample on the house, asking your opinion about things they are doing…all in all a great place to eat, drink and relax.
The manager was telling us that they were thinking of introducing a “loyalty card” system to reward the regular customers – For every X number of meals you would get one free as well as some other benefits.
The truth is they don’t need a loyalty card system because they always reward our loyalty with their great service.
Instead of giving me one free meal for every ten we order and processing this through a card system, I’m pretty sure that I prefer being looked after in an informal, discretionary way…not because I have “earned” or qualified for my bonus meal.
Give me a drink on the house, a free dessert, a great seat, a warm welcome …it’s better than any card!
Places that don’t know you, might need a system to encourage repeat business and reward loyalty in an official way ….the great places never need a system!
Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion
Fuzion are a Marketing and PR firm with offices in Dublin and Cork
