How to Lose a guy....whoops....Revenue Manager in 10 Days

We love our beautiful RM's. Remember how they were so tiny 30 odd years ago. Now fully grown, with both feed standing right inside life making our lives so much more happy.

Oh and yes, they can be an absolute pain in the ass. I have been one, I know :

"Taking that last minute bus group arriving in 30min with 50 pax for dinner just before going home waving the F&B staff Good night. Or running the hotel occupancy at 100% for 6 weeks straight....oh or the good old, let's do a lot of kids packages to end up with 500 kids in house :-)"

Help is at hand. You want to drive them bonkers, oh dear you can.

Here are my weapons of choice 😘 The most counterproductive strategies guaranteed to send your Revenue Manager running for the hills.

Day 1: Introduce Chaotic Communication
Start by flooding your Revenue Manager with emails, texts, Slack messages, and hang up every time they pick up. Make sure no two messages contain the same information. Consistency is key… to confusion! Extra points if you follow up with "One more thing I forgot"

Day 2: Micromanage Everything
Revenue Managers thrive on autonomy. So why not micromanage every little decision? Pop by their desk every 10 minutes asking for updates. After all, nothing says "trust" like constant supervision! Pro GM tip: "How much did we pick up for today?" or the good old Budget question: "are we there yet?"

Day 3: Your Data is wrong
Tell them there is a mistake in their spreadsheet and that the numbers are wrong. When the challenge back say: Prove it! 100 dollars the moment the meetings ends they will sit at their desk going through the sheet.

Day 4: Surprise Meetings
Schedule impromptu meetings with no clear agenda. Bonus points if you call them at inconvenient times, like 5 minutes before lunch or right at the end of the day. Best works: Can you come to my office in 5min please. We have something to discuss! Follow it up when questioned with "Let's keep it private."

Day 5: New software daily
Introduce a new revenue tool to look at every day :-) At the end of the day this is innovation, no?!?!

Day 6: But why...so what...how do you know?
Revenue Managers love to share their insights and recommendations. Politely nod and ask every time: So what or but why or bons for: How can you be so sure? Bring boxing gloves if you take it to the level of: I dont believe you, prove it! or my favorite: What if you are wrong?!?!? (face slap guaranteed)

Day 7: Ask for benefit measurements for every
Changed a rate...nice, can I see the benefit calculation please...

Day 8: I need this report right now
Demand detailed reports on everything. And by everything, we mean EVERYTHING. Action plans, you name it. When delivered say, ah sorry, no need, I got the report from xyz already.

Day 9: Introduce a new package...every day
Careful....this might push them over the line :-)

Day 10: Wait for them
Sit at their desk, wait for them to come in. When they arrive, look at your watch, throw a print out of a nonsense spreadsheet on their desk and leave.....

In Conclusion…
There is no conclusion, there is only fun to be had. Revenue Management can be fun, Revenue Managers CAN be fun.....

What's your favorite way to drive a RM potty?

Love,

Fabi

P.S. No Revenue Managers were harmed in writing this article. We hope.