Archive for May, 2006
May 29, 2006 at 8:01 pm
· Filed under Headlines, Internet
Use the right technology, not just the latest gadgets (May 29, 2006)
"The role of technology in foodservice is constantly changing, forcing companies to adapt regularly if they are to benefit from the latest advances. Today, technology plays a role in nearly every aspect of the business." (Nation's Restaurant News)
Many wi-fi spots vulnerable to hackers (May 28, 2006)
"Computer security specialist Cory Michal needs only five minutes, using store-bought technology, to access credit card information from a downtown Milwaukee restaurant." (The Business Journal of Milwaukee) [via MSNBC]
NRA Touts the Latest in Innovation (March 2006)
"…it’s rare to see a show devote separate time and floor space to truly new and advanced equipment. And that’s what makes the Kitchen Innovations program, launched last year at the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, so exciting." (Foodservice Equipment Reports)
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May 28, 2006 at 11:49 pm
· Filed under Headlines
Recent News:
Touch-Free Technology (May 28th, 2006)
"It’s the Sanidoor. Just wave your hand in front of the sensor and the door swings open without you having to touch the handle." (Central Florida News 13)
Cutting corners with technology (May 25, 2006)
"Be it the use of gadgets that plump bottom lines or software to keep an eagle eye at each point on the value chain, the verdict is clear. The industry has to keep abreast of innovations, lest it wants to be left behind due to changing trends, both in terms of customer service and production methods." (Express Hospitality)
BD's chain solicits guest feedback with electronic comment cards (May 8th, 2006)
"Seeking more feedback from more diners, some operators are replacing paper comment cards and other traditional customer survey methods with automated systems designed to elicit patrons' opinions before they exit the restaurant" (Nation's Restaurant News) [via FindArticles.com]
Press Releases:
SonicRecruit Serves Up New Solution to Restaurant Industry (May 25, 2006)
Read the rest of this entry »
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May 26, 2006 at 3:18 pm
· Filed under TechWaiterBell News
We will be expanding the focus of this blog to not only include how internet tools can benefit restaurants, but also include the latest restaurant technology news. The reason for this change is that we come across a lot of news about restaurant technologies that can be organized for the benefit of restaurant owners.
As always, please feel free to send us feedback.
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May 22, 2006 at 2:03 pm
· Filed under Marketing, Research, Web 2.0
excerpt:
"Jennifer Jones of Marketing Voices interviews Phil Gomes, Vice President for Edelman’s Me2revolution group, the largest independent public relations agency in the world. Jennifer talks with Phil about the intersection of corporate communications and social media. They discuss what social media is best today and how blogs, and podcasts can build stronger brands."
source: "Marketing Voices – Building Stronger Brands with Blogs, Podcasts, and Wikis" by Jennifer Jones (Marketing Voices, May 8, 2006)
Your restaurant is a brand. When customers see the name on a menu, a sign, or an ad, you are trying to build a stronger brand. Your restaurant "brand" is also you and your staff, and creating a connection between your restaurant brand and customers in social media (aka Web 2.0) can be a delicate matter.
For information on this developing trend of social media marketing and public relations, Advertising Age has released a 2006 Interactive Marketing & Media Fact Pack (pdf format).
excerpt:
"Marketers are "definately spending on:
- adding RSS feeds (40%)
- in-house blogs (35%)
- ads on third party blogs/blog networks (30%)
- video ads (27%)
- ads in RSS feeds (21%)
- mobile/wireless (20%)
- in-house podcasts (18%)
- sponsoring podcasts (14%)
- product placements in video games (10%)"
source: "Interactive Marketing & Media Fact Pack 2006" (Advertising Age, April 17,2006) (via FKCBlog)
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May 21, 2006 at 1:32 am
· Filed under Internet, Low cost, Marketing, Programs
excerpt:
"Think what a Web site could do for a restaurant: It could inform potential customers, like myself, of the restaurant's dress code, wine list, opening hours, ambience, reservation policies and menu (with prices … though we know most chefs think their culinary creations are priceless and talking about money is pedestrian, I’d like to know in advance how much a meal is going to set me back).
I could put my e-mail address on a mailing list via the Web site, and the restaurant could send me an e-mail update periodically: “Chef’s Special Today: Sea Scallops!” “Every Tuesday Night: A Complimentary Glass Of Wine With Every Entrée.” “We Have Added New Low-Carb Menu Items!” A more sophisticated restaurant Web site could even allow diners to book their own reservations and automatically e-mail reminders the morning of the reservation date.
The restaurant could post coupons for slow, early-midweek nights to tempt diners: “Every Monday And Tuesday: 15 Percent Off All Entrées.”
source: "Do Restaurants With No Web Sites Have Something To Hide?" by Tracey E. Schelmetic (May 18,2006)
You want a web site, but you don't have the programming skills or the money for software, web designer, and a hosting service, no problem. The one thing that will cost you money is your domain name (e.g. www.your-name.com) which can cost you as little as $10 a year.
There are many ways to put an acceptable restaurant web site for $10 in less than 24 hours. While web design may impress some customers, many times people are looking for general information about your web site.
For restaurant owners who would like to test the web waters before making a bigger investment, or for those stretching dollars, we will be posting a small guide to get your restaurant online with a fast, cheap (in cost, not look), and effective web site.
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May 17, 2006 at 11:10 pm
· Filed under Free, Programs, Tools
excerpt:
"There are a lot of great freeware products out there. Many are as good or even better than their commercial alternatives. This list features my personal pick of the "best of the best."
Listed below are 46 different freeware categories with my selection of the best products in each category. The list is ordered by program function rather than merit so you'll get the most out of it by browsing down this page at leisure. The pathologically impatient can consult the index below."
link: Tech Support Alert's The 46 Best-ever Freeware Utilities
For any restaurant owner who doesn't have a large software budget, you can probably find a free alternative program that can do the job just as well.
Freeware (or free programs) usually come with no strings attached, they are free to download and yours to use. This site is helpful in providing multiple freeware alternatives and reviews.
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May 16, 2006 at 6:36 pm
· Filed under Free, Marketing
excerpt:
"Marketers from 110 organizations contributed test results and lessons-learned stories for this fourth annual Wisdom Report, including: American Red Cross, CompUSA, Cox Communications, Deloitte & Touche, Palo Alto Software, and The Motley Fool:
• Email campaign segmentation test results
• Search marketing lessons (especially combining PPC and SEO)
• Offline advertising and marketing lessons
• Web site design and landing page lessons
• Business-to-Business marketing campaign lessons
• Office politics and job searching tips for a successful marketing career"
link: Online Marketing Wisdom 2006 – Free Report (from Restaurant News Resource and MarketingSherpa)
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May 16, 2006 at 10:01 am
· Filed under Free, Marketing
excerpt:
"All businesses in local phone directories are included in the search engines' basic listings at no charge. Marketing experts say a small-business owner should spend a few hours making sure the search engines have up-to-date information on the company, such as its business category, accepted payment methods and Web address.
Some search engines and online directories also offer enhanced listings for a fee. For example, Melanee Thai Restaurant, on West Pico Boulevard, comes up when Yahoo users do queries for "Thai food Beverly Hills." The restaurant pays Yahoo $9.95 a month to display standard information plus a biography of its chef, a menu, coupons and photos of dishes.
"It used to be you were competing with everyone on the general search engine," said Thomas Mix, who built the Melanee Thai website. "Now it's localized, so your nearest competitor got a lot nearer. If they're in [the search engines] and you're not, you're going to lose business."
source: "Looking online for local customers" by Chris Gaither (Los Angeles Times, May 16,2006)
The article also cites this interesting statistic:
"Consumers, however, haven't held back, with 39% of those surveyed in February saying they used search engines for local shopping. Thirty-six percent said they used print Yellow Pages for local shopping, down from 51% in 2003."
There is a change in trends, and restaurants should be aware of having their information placed in the right databases. Most major databases will allow you to input your information for free. This is different from submitting your url to search engines, you are entering your restaurant information to be listed.
Google Local Business Center
Yahoo Search Marketing
AOL Yellow Pages
Superpages
Yellowpages
Localeze
note: We will focus on ad services such as Google's AdWords for restaurant marketing at another time.
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May 12, 2006 at 5:53 am
· Filed under Free, Information Management, Research, Tools
Rollyo.com allows you to create a customized search engine using web sites you specify. I have created a Rollyo search engine using only restaurant industry web sites (click here). To see the usefulness of Rollyo, I just recently did a search for "outdoor dining" using google and the customized rollyo search engine.
Google search results for "outdoor dining"
Rollyo search results for "outdoor dining"
For a restaurant owner, the Rollyo search results link to much more relevant information which saves time and lets you spend more time reading then looking through search results. You can focus your sources on vendors, specific regions, or select magazines, as well as mix and match.
Go to Rollyo.com to create your own search engine and use your own sources.
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May 10, 2006 at 9:43 am
· Filed under Free, Marketing, Web 2.0
excerpt:
"What we discovered are five emerging trends that every small business should be aware of. We still think that small businesses should be cautious and look to use new media or Web 2.0 in highly personalized ways, using sound marketing principles.
…Customers value who they do business with sometimes as much as what they buy. Blogging provides you with a more personal environment, where you can both promote your product and present a more personal view of your business.
Horsefeathers, a restaurant in North Conway, NH, publishes a blog about food, wine, local events, and restaurant news as a way to keep customers connected and loyal."
source: "Why Small Businesses Should Care About Web 2.0 Marketing: A Discussion with the Creator of Duct Tape Marketing" by Eric Kintz (MarketingProfs.com, May 9,2006)
For restaurant owners wondering what are the latest free web marketing tools, this article will give you a good overview from which to start. These tools open up many possibilities for restaurant owners to connect with the public.
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