Restaurant marketing-and-management expert Howard Gordon, former senior vice president of business development and marketing for The Cheesecake Factory, shares tips and strategies to help operators take their businesses and brands to the next level. en-us http://www.rimag.com/blog/1250000725.html?nid=4757 Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. Subject to its Terms of Use November 9, 2009 http://www.rimag.com/blog/1250000725/post/1900047190.html?nid=4757 When a program gets stuck on our computers, we reach for the ever-present reset button.Which got me thinking: Why not apply the idea of a reset button to other parts of our business that, from time to time, get stuck too? Since starting my consulting business, I have found that when companies ar… http://www.rimag.com/blog/1250000725/post/210046421.html?nid=4757 You know what I’m taking about: the tiny print that says "limited time offer" "service include," "terms apply," "two-year commitment required," and "this offer cannot be used with any other offers." As customers, we hate it, but as operators, w… http://www.rimag.com/blog/1250000725/post/1680045568.html?nid=4757 The other day I was reading the newspaper and saw a list of auto dealerships being closed. On the same page was the news that Apple is coming out with its new iPhone 3G S next week. The question is, which of business these businesses is yours like? One where not having kept up with the times h… http://www.rimag.com/blog/1250000725/post/460045046.html?nid=4757 A recession forces businesses to operate more efficiently, but many people panic and make bad decisions that lead to damaging trade-offs. We need to give top priority to quality ingredients of our businesses: decisions, food, beverage, service, tabletop, uniforms, décor, etc. When things get … http://www.rimag.com/blog/1250000725/post/1730043773.html?nid=4757 Sure, we are all marketers. We all sell our ideas to our customers and staff members every day. The question is, how effective are we? Case in point: I recently was on a trip to New York and stayed at the same hotel I have for a number of years. They just finished $90 million renovation and are p… http://www.rimag.com/blog/1250000725/post/780043478.html?nid=4757 In recessions, companies must understand consumers' shifting needs and adjust their communications strategies and offerings accordingly. It is critical to track how your customers reassess priorities, reallocate funds, switch brands and redefine value. Customer behavior has changed. To… http://www.rimag.com/blog/1250000725/post/920042892.html?nid=4757 What if your company could actually improve its competitive position during an economic turndown, a slump or anytime? No question about it, this is a tough time to be selling to customers. Their budget allowances for the moment simply are not there. Customer relationships need a boost to keep them …