Nourish the Thought

Our Five Cents - It's About Time

I was just reading an article that stated Marriott would be canceling their old and tired policy on black outs dates, as of January 2009.  This is fabulous news and a longtime coming.

This is quite timely, as my wife and I are taking our holiday these next weeks, and it was like pulling teeth trying to use our Marriott Reward points.  Actually there were no teeth pulled, because we were told there were no options.  If a time or location was blacked out, it was blacked out and not available.

It has baffled me that many service industry operations do not cater to the golden rule of listening to their customers.  People want to take their trips or simply redeem their well earned points (in any genre) on their own terms, and not be unfairly constrained by black out dates or extra charges (think airlines).

A dear friend of mine gave me my new business mantra:  "don't make it hard for people to give you $$$." 

It looks like Marriott has finally bought into that philosophy.  As of January 15, 2009 Marriott Rewards members will be able to redeem points for free nights at 2,900 hotels any night of the week.  No more stipulations.

Hopefully, this thinking will spill over into other service companies.  One can only dream...

Your Five Senses - Wii "Like the Innovative Thinking"

Wii and Westin - kinda flows doesn't it? 

This innovative partnership taps into many consumer need states: the experience, health & wellness, fun, the cool factor, reducing stress while on the road.  Being a consumate road warrior, I can enthusiastically say that Westin gets me and they get people.  Their ear to the ground and inherent gut check expertise seems consistently right on cue with consumer connection pulse points.  This is yet another example of the innoavtive thinking coming from Westin.

Here is a snid bit of a recent article, speaking about Wii, in Business Wire, May 1, 2008 Thursday 8:38 PM GMT.

Nintendo and Westin Hotels & Resorts announced a partnership that will allow guests to experience the Wii(TM) sensation with a special version of the console ideally suited for use in the hotel environment. Westin Hotels is the first hotel company to partner with Nintendo for its Wii console and will feature this specially designed console as part of the brand's WestinWORKOUT program at 10 hotels across the United States. The special game console is pre-loaded with many popular games, including the groundbreaking Wii Sports(TM)game.

With this partnership, Westin will be among the first hotel brands in the United States to receive delivery of Wii Fit(TM), the highly anticipated interactive fitness game, set to release during the week of May 19 in North America. Using another Nintendo innovation, the Wii Balance Board(TM)accessory, hotel guests will be able to participate in a dynamic mix of more than 40 yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance activities.

"Delivering an active entertainment experience is what Wii is all about," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing.  "We jumped at the chance to be the first hotel to partner with Nintendo and add interactive entertainment to our successful WestinWORKOUT program," said Sue Brush, Senior Vice President, Westin Hotels & Resorts. "We think our guests will be eager to make Wii a part of their workouts during their stay with us."

WestinWORKOUTwas developed inpartnership with worldwide fitness leaders to develop the travel industry's most extensive fitness and wellness program. Last month WestinWORKOUT was extended with the addition of BrainBody Fitness, a program connecting mental and physical fitness through a series of original exercises distributed at each Westin throughout North America. By placing expert-recommended mind and body stretches in a variety of strategic hotel touch points, including the front desk, guestrooms, public spaces and WestinWORKOUT fitness centers, Westin is providing guests with simple and effective ways to sharpen their thinking and calm their minds and bodies for better health.

The Food IQ team and Nourish the Thought applauds Westin for their perpetual innovative and consumer focused thinking - it's a long fly ball; it's outa here and a true home run!  I would be curious to know if anyone had thoughts on how Westin and their innovation (Wii, SuperfoodsRX menu, wellness council, etc.) impacts the consumer; how it makes you feel, what you appreciate and what type of hotel programs resonate with your lifestyle.