| When you are running a bed and breakfast, it is | | | | your bed and breakfast. Does your property |
| vital to keep an eye on the competition, both | | | | have a good external image? Is the paint peeling |
| new and established. All bed and breakfast | | | | or are the windows rotting? Has your signboard |
| owners are aware that a reputation spread by | | | | seen better days? Don't forget to keep the lawn |
| word of mouth is worth its weight in gold. It goes | | | | mowed, borders neat and free from weeds and |
| without saying that you need to keep your quality | | | | overgrown vegetation, and parking areas well |
| high to maintain your position. If you constantly | | | | maintained. Good lighting is essential for guests |
| monitor and improve standards and quality, this | | | | arriving in the dark. Add some evergreen plants in |
| will ensure that your guests' expectations will be | | | | pots for all year round colour, as well as cheerful |
| met and that your reputation will be maintained. | | | | window boxes and hanging baskets in spring and |
| This means that all the time you need to be | | | | summer. Remember that passing trade may be |
| determined to make things better in every area, | | | | your next paying guests, but only if your bed and |
| so that the chances of something going wrong, or | | | | breakfast has kerb appeal! |
| failing to meet your guests' expectations are as | | | | The other area it is important to check upon is |
| minuscule as possible. | | | | your advertising. Remember that every |
| One way of monitoring the standards in your bed | | | | establishment, whether it is a Leicester bed and |
| and breakfast and to ascertain whether | | | | breakfast or a five-star London hotel, needs to |
| improvements or changes are needed is to invite | | | | have a corporate image. This is more than just |
| friends or relatives to stay during a quiet period. | | | | the sign outside your property. Pay close |
| They can try out the rooms and communal guest | | | | attention to the brochures and advertisements |
| areas, to make sure everything is as excellent as | | | | that you are putting in tourist locations, print |
| it should be. This can help to uncover irritating | | | | media and on line. A recognisable logo and print |
| inconveniences that you were previously unaware | | | | style will help to establish your brand and |
| of. For example, although you might clean the | | | | remember to use this on your headed paper and |
| shower every day, only by actually using it would | | | | any other stationery. Check the grammar, spelling |
| you find out that perhaps the water suddenly | | | | and layout of all your print media; any mistakes |
| runs cold, or that the shower door leaks. If it is | | | | contribute to a poor brand image and look |
| not possible to invite friends or relatives, then you | | | | unprofessional. |
| could try using one of your own guest suites. This | | | | Above all, remember that customers come first. |
| will give you an extra perspective on the quality | | | | Make your guests feel welcome and treat them |
| of the room. It is the little things that matter and | | | | with courtesy and respect. Your good reputation |
| you need to be as critical as possible. Have the | | | | will continue to spread and this will be the most |
| towels seen better days? Is there enough shelf | | | | powerful tool for maintaining your market position, |
| and hanging space? Could the bathroom do with | | | | whether you are the owner of a Leicester bed |
| an extra towel rail or hook on the back of the | | | | and breakfast or the manager of a five star |
| door? Do all the drawers open smoothly? | | | | London hotel. |
| Don't forget to critically assess the outside of | | | | |