Email Adam Email
Financial
May 1, 2016

Lessons From Great Wolf Lodge

Sponsored Content provided by Adam Shay - Director of VCFO Services, Red Bike Advisors

If you have a child under 10, chances are you know about Great Wolf Lodge. Great Wolf Lodge has 13 locations around the country. In explaining it to people, I refer to it as as a “poor man’s Disney World.” The typical “lodge” includes a huge indoor waterpark, an elaborate MagiQuest game throughout the hotel, arcade, bowling and an evening show and bedtime story. Our 4- and 6-year-old boys absolutely love it!
 
The last two springs we have taken our two boys for a night at Great Wolf Lodge at Concord Mills on our way to a more extended family vacation. From a business perspective, I’ve been wowed at what a well oiled machine it is. Great Wolf Lodge is constantly sending email offers without triggering an unsubscribe response. That is because the company delivers value in its offers. At the same time, it encourages us to spend more money with it. This comes in the way of packaged selling and offers to attract us to its lodges during its less busy weekday time periods.
 
During our most recent visit, I was caught off guard as to how I was “tricked” into a future upsale by the front desk clerk. As we checked in, we did the usual chitchat and I indicated that we were repeat visitors. She asked if we had ever stayed in one of the themed rooms for the kids. I told her we had not, and my tone probably indicated that I wasn’t a big fan of the more than $50 upcharge that came with that type of room. The clerk said in a very quiet voice, don’t worry, I’ll upgrade you for free. I felt like I had won the lottery until I realized on my way to our room that once our kids saw the upgraded room there is no way I would be able to stay in a regular room again. Intentional (I think it was) or not, I had been had for a future upgrade!
 
The takeaway from this story is that all employees in your organization can and should be looking for ways to deliver, and capture, more value from your customers. By wowing them along with capturing more value, everyone comes away with a win-win. It’s a great way to grow the profitability of your business. My goal today was to help you realize that everyone on your team should be driving and contributing to the profitability of your business.
 
Adam Shay, CPA (N.C. License Number 35961), MBA, is managing partner of Adam Shay CPA, PLLC. He focuses on minimizing taxes and improving the financial results of entrepreneurs, and is actively involved in supporting the Wilmington entrepreneurial and startup community. For more information, visit http://www.wilmingtontaxesandaccounting.com/ or email him at [email protected]. He can also be reached by phone at (910) 256-3456.
 

Other Posts from Adam Shay

Redbikeadvisors block[55]
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Cfss headshots parker robert webversion 21422121214

The Latest Solar Scams and What You Can Do to Help Stop Them

Robert Parker - Cape Fear Solar Systems
Untitleddesign5

The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership

John Monahan - Vistage
Georgiarowe

Salling and Tate Dentistry Launches Annual "Gunner’s Runners" Shoe Collection Event, Aiming to Surpass Last Year's Success

Georgia Rowe - Wide Open Tech

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

Park Progress

The planning for Pender Commerce Park began in the early 2000s when the county wanted to create an economic driver on its largely rural west...


Q&A: Andrews Reflects On Leadership

Pender County Manager David Andrews is slated to retire this summer after 33 years in local government....


MADE: Polyhose Inc.

Polyhose manufactures and fabricates hose protection, paint hose assemblies and rubber hydraulic assemblies from its Pender County facility....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments