In the second Catermind session, key industry leaders and experts shared innovative strategies to help catering businesses thrive. This event highlighted the importance of relationship-building, smart sales cycles, and converting third-party orders into direct orders using tools like Catering Rewards. Here's a recap of the top strategies discussed:
New Members and Community Updates
We welcomed several new members, including:
- Amanda Quinn from Viva Chicken
- Vincent Lesh from Takeout Taxi
- Kelly Grogan from Crumbs
- Szabi Bako from Fyge
- Dara Chinnis from Meat Boss
Key updates from the community were shared by leaders such as Jennifer Kalmbach and Kevin Polk from the Local Delivery Coalition, and Byron Duncan and Tara Brown from New Catering Connections.
The Catering Wave: How to Maximize Sales Cycles
Byron Duncan introduced the "Catering Wave" strategy, an approach to capitalize on the natural peaks and troughs in catering demand throughout the year. This method focuses on increasing sales and outreach as demand rises, reaching the peak during major seasons, and maintaining customer service as demand ebbs. The major catering spikes to plan for are:
- Appreciation Season (April/May)
- Back to School/Office Season (August/September)
- Holiday Season (November/December)
Byron stressed the importance of adjusting your sales efforts based on the rise and fall of this "wave":
- During slow periods, focus on research, planning, and relationship development.
- As demand rises, increase sales activities, order taking, and customer relationship management.
- At the peak, focus on closing deals, taking orders, and providing stellar customer service.
Converting 3rd Party to 1st Party with Catering Rewards
Preet Saini discussed how businesses can convert third-party orders into direct orders using Catering Rewards. By offering incentives like redeemable points and exclusive deals, catering businesses can encourage customers to bypass third-party services and order directly. This not only saves on fees but also enhances customer loyalty and engagement.
Chews Local Delivery: Supporting Restaurants with On-Demand Delivery
Matt Stewart introduced Chews Local Delivery, a local, on-demand delivery service designed to help restaurants save money while maintaining reliable delivery. By cutting down on third-party delivery fees, restaurants can protect their margins and improve profitability.
Key Takeaways for Catering Success
- Build Relationships: Regularly check in with past clients and prospects to maintain strong relationships. Use periods of low demand to plan and research new opportunities.
- Leverage Catering Rewards: Convert third-party customers to direct orders by offering rewards and incentives.
- Ride the Catering Wave: Align your sales efforts with the natural ebbs and flows of the catering year to maximize your potential.
Don’t Forget to Sign Up for the Next Catermind!
Missed this session or want to revisit the key insights? Watch the full video for more detailed strategies here. Stay tuned for our next Catermind session, where we’ll continue to provide valuable tips to help you succeed in the catering industry. More details will be available soon!