Janice Dunphy and Tracey Bancroft present on some of the operational issues facing an indoor play centre operator and practical solutions to make your centre more successful.
1. Tips from the old timers!
Janice Dunphy (The Web) and Tracey Bancroft (Ezeeeplay)
2. Things to consider...
before you start!
- Location, planning and rental price
- Finance, not only where you get it from but how much to spend!
- Recruitment and Staffing...
Then worry about the day to day business!
6. Ongoing Considerations
• Tight management of all your overheads - utilities , suppliers , resources
• Maximize opportunities to negotiate with suppliers to drive down costs
• PEOPLE = 20 - 30% OVERALL COSTS - but also most beneficial resource!!
• Rota structures /controls - match anticipated demand
• Policies/procedures - legislative and business
• 3 'R's - Review, Review, Review
• NETWORK - PPA - organisations, associations, local authority members, MP’s
• Educate yourself, staff - understand the industry/understand your customers
BE PROUD - SELL YOUR BUSINESS - SELL YOU !!
7. Turnover vs Size of Site
•Capacity
Maximising secondary spend
•Effective use of space
Off peak
•Play Value VS turnover
•3 'R's
Review, Reinvent, Review
8. …and then the other bits
• Seasonality…how to attempt to beat it!
• Food service and Secondary Spend
• Customers! Young and Old!
• Creating a culture of customer service excellence, good isn't good enough
anymore!
• Accidents, incidents and claims
• Keeping ahead of the competition!
9. Survive and Grow
• Party package offering ie- Laser Guns, Build a Bear, Retailing
• Add new attractions ie- Playbus, Climbing Wall, GO OUTDOORS
• Diversifying
• Again having a USP and focusing on
your key market’s ie- Toddlers
• Keep customers returning by adding
something new... When to REINVEST??
And how often to REINVEST??
Doesn’t need to be expensive!!
10. At the end of the day…it all depends upon how much you want
it…and how hard you will fight to keep it!