The Last Bastion: Boardgame tactics as a Revenue Playbook — Photo by Created by HN with DALL·E

For those of you who don't know....like me what The Last Bastion is. It is a boardgame. Yes, lol. And a complicated one at that.

So here is the gist of it and how it brings valuable lessons for revenue leaders big and small:

The game itself

"The Last Bastion" is a cooperative board game where players band together as heroes to defend a mystical bastion from hordes of attacking monsters. Each player assumes the role of a unique character with special abilities, working in unison to repel the invaders and protect their stronghold.

The game is structured around turns where players strategically move around the bastion, utilize magical items, and combat monsters (who are not controlled by players). As these creatures relentlessly advance towards the bastion, players must carefully plan and execute their defenses to ensure their survival and ultimate victory over the invading forces.

TLDR: It’s like playing a game of pretend where you all work together to beat the challenge set by the game.

The Game Setting: The Bastion as Your Hotel

Imagine your hotel as the bastion—a stronghold that must be defended. In this case, the "monsters" are the various challenges and market pressures that threaten the hotel's profitability and operational efficiency.

These could include economic downturns, competitive pricing strategies by rival hotels, changes in customer preferences, or disruptions like those caused by technology or global events.

Got it? Cool, next!

Players: The Hotel Management Team

Just as in the game where players work together to defend the bastion, the hotel management team must collaborate to safeguard the hotel's interests. Each team member can be seen as a different character in the game, each with special skills:

  • Revenue Manager: Like the strategist in the game, who plans where to place heroes to best defend against the incoming monsters.
  • Marketing Manager: Similar to a scout, who helps understand the terrain (market trends) and guides the team's efforts in attracting guests.
  • Operations Manager: Like the guardian who ensures that the bastion’s defenses (hotel operations) are running smoothly and efficiently.
  • Sales Manager: Acts like a warrior, out in the field, securing business deals and partnerships to keep the hotel competitive.

PS: Yes, Sales Managers....you are proud warriors and awesome!!!

Game Turns: Decision-Making Cycles

Each turn in "The Last Bastion" can represent a decision-making cycle in hotel management. This includes assessing the current market conditions, competitor actions, internal performance metrics, and then making strategic decisions on pricing, customer service, promotions, and other operational aspects.

Monster Attacks: Market Challenges

In the analogy, each wave of monsters could represent different challenges the hotel faces:

  • Low Season: Times when demand is naturally lower.
  • New Competitors: Other hotels opening nearby or existing ones upgrading their services.
  • Technological Changes: Need to implement new technologies or platforms that change how rooms are booked or services are offered. Think IVI :-)

Winning the Game: Achieving Business Goals

Just as in "The Last Bastion," the ultimate goal is to survive the waves of monsters. For a hotel, this means not just surviving market challenges but thriving despite them by maximizing revenue, maintaining high guest satisfaction, and enhancing operational efficiency.

Conclusion

Now you know it: you are warriors, guardians, amazing players in the revenue management game and just like in "The Last Bastion" the winners who overcome all challenges will be teams that:

  • agree that teamwork is a must but their individual roles can solve specific challenges, so each one plays a role
  • understand that only a strategic manner will yield highest results