Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 08:28:44 +1000
From: THE DIXONS <balloons@magna.com.au>
To: DWill96913@aol.com, BALLOON HQ <balloondeco@balloonhq.com>
Subject: Re: hotel decor advice

DWill96913@aol.com wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> I am needing some advice of the correct approach to try and get in on
> decorating at the most upscale hotel that we have in our area......

G'Day from Downunder,
For what it's worth ..... our view on this situation .....

Think about the strategy you should adopt  to remain both ethical and
professional.
1. Your image as a professional in the eyes of this potential client. You are the
owner of a business. So, approach this as a business opportunity. NOT as an
employeee at the hotel.

2. Professional ethics:- Could the banquets manager (and your piers) construe
that you applied for this job at the hotel with the ulterior motive of becoming
their decorator? Once you get the decor contracts on a regular basis, you will
leave their employ? ie: you were playing 2 hands of poker ..... getting paidby
the hotel, whilst marketing your business on the side?

I'm not suggesting you have done anything untoward! But you need to be careful
that others don't see things as "sneaky".  I'd never criticise someone for
applying for a job. We all need to make ends meet. May we suggest you tread very
carefully here and play it this way:-

DO NOT approach the Banquets Manager with any proposal. By all means, mention to
fellow employees that you also manage a balloon decorating company. Hope that
THEY mention it to the boss. Then, when the boss approaches you (and only then)
are you in a position to talk with him/her "business-to-business". Always suggest
that you talk business aftter or before your shift - NEVER during work hours for
which they are paying you. If they want you to decorate at the venue, make sure
they know that it MUST be on a contractual basis with the balloon business which
you own and manage.

It's very important for the image of your business that you are not perceived to
be there with the ulterior motive of undermining their current preferred
decorator. DO NOT criticise their work.  If they know you are a balloon decorator
make sure you never show any emotion or appear to be impressed, disappointed,
anything .... with the balloons installed by others. Your lack of comment tells
them that you could do better. If asked ..... simply say that it's your
professional policy, "If we have nothing nice to say, we say nothing!" Or .... if
the work is of high standard say, "Yes, their balloon work is (pause) quite
good." ..... Leaving your potential customer with the thought that your balloon
work must be KNOCKOUT rather than just "quite good". More importantly, they will
be impressed by your professional ethics in NOT criticizing your competitor's
work.

Good Luck.
--
Don  and Dolly  Dixon CBAs
Sydney  -   AUSTRALIA