Meet Singles Speed Dating in the Dark!
♫ Wednesday, August 25th, 2010Today’s customer has the internet at their fingertips with their hands full of what you want-cash. How cheap and how fast can you deliver whatever product or service it is that they need or want? It seems that this is the only set of questions that matter to the consumers willing to part with their money these days. If you don’t meet their needs, it’s no problem; someone else is just a click away. It’s really that simple.
We’ve all heard about online dating and speed dating events but think about this exact same concept taking place in complete darkness. Dating in the dark is a bold new cheeky singles game where you are introduced to other singles without any physical features are disclosed.
For those men and women who claim that looks are not important, dating in the dark will test the sincerity of this Philosophy. The concept of this new singles and dating game is to match singles based on personality, compatibility and later in the evening participants have to decide whether there is a physical attraction too.
We hear feedback from singles on a daily basis when people meet through online dating but more often than not are disappointed when the real face to face date takes place mostly due to physical appearance. According to a recent publication in a Sydney lifestyle magazine survey, 48% of the singles under 35 years old claimed that looks were not the main determination when it came to finding a suitable partner.
If you have tried speed dating before, then you will be familiar with dating in the dark events. The only big difference is that you do it literally in total darkness. Depending on which the company that is hosting the event, the event takes place in a darkened room, or participants are blind folded.
Dating in the dark events are usually held at function rooms within an existing bar or hotel. After the 6 minute speed dates take place, participants choose who they clicked with when the lights were off. Each person is then given a name badge and then usually re-located to a lit room where the men and women are free and a conversation with the people they chose when the lights were off to see if the chemistry still exists when the lights come on!
Dating in the dark sets up an atmosphere that builds anticipation and is just plain fun and exciting. The concept originated as a virtual online game on online dating sites and chat rooms and has since moved offline gaining popularity throughout many cities worldwide.
Most people treat it as a bit of fun. Groups of friends often book into these functions for a fun night where anything and everything can happen – the possibilities and outcomes are endless. Dating in the dark – give it ago!
Courting Customers Feels Like Speed Dating
♫ Tuesday, July 6th, 2010Today’s customer has the internet at their fingertips with their hands full of what you want-cash. How cheap and how fast can you deliver whatever product or service it is that they need or want? It seems that this is the only set of questions that matter to the consumers willing to part with their money these days. If you don’t meet their needs, it’s no problem; someone else is just a click away. It’s really that simple.
It all begins to feel a little bit like speed dating; almost as if they are picking the right relationship for a one night stand. What happened to meaningful relationships? Are ideals like romance, courtship, seduction and commitment a thing of the past? Is it really just all about price? Where is the loyalty in that? Has cheap become a deity to be worshiped?
Think about this: Imagine you show up at a speed dating event and proceed to take too long at each table, demand that things slow down and insist on long deep conversations-what would happen? You would be asked to leave because you’re gumming up the works. The same holds true for your business, make sure you’re giving your customer what THEY want and expect at this very moment. After their immediate need is understood and met, only then can you begin the process of relationship building, not before.
The conundrum is that cheap has its place, but odds are your business was never designed to withstand long periods of price cutting. You may still believe in value added and concepts like quality work and long term relationships. You might be old school and refuse to be sucked into the black hole of the price wars. After all, who can’t name a competitor that rose like the sun based on price only to burn out like a super nova when the sales slowed? Having said that, something feels out of whack-the old methods and beliefs are failing to deliver during this tough economic cycle and you are losing sales or worse yet, customers. What should you do?
The answer may lie in a hybrid of the two opposing points of view. In other words, if a product or service you offer becomes commoditized you only have one real option-sell that product or service based on price and adjust costs accordingly while seeking out new, more profitable products and/or service opportunities. You see, if you are a complete slave to either model, right or wrong, you are losing.
Make adjustments to cater to the speed daters, they have little time and want instant gratification. Also, don’t forget the relationship work; which takes time, effort, loyalty and sincere concern for the other party. The important point to remember is that a speed dating encounter could end up as a long term caring relationship! What you need is a speed dating plan that works its way into a relationship plan.
The answer is not simple; you need two sets of plans. The first step is to identify speed dating trends in your industry and adapt to that model quickly. At the same time you need to look for relationship opportunities and train your staff in the art of becoming a Professional Services Firm. Remember the old retailers’ adage-the profit is in the corners. In this case, the profit comes from identifying relationship opportunities and guiding your client away from the false god of cheap and into the power of working and trusting in you.