The Real Christmas KPIs: Kindness, Presents, and Indulgence

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It’s that time of year when we trade forecasting spreadsheets for gift lists and occupancy strategies for holiday cheer. But even in the spirit of the season, we know KPIs are never far from a revenue manager’s mind.

So, let’s redefine those Key Performance Indicators to focus on what truly matters this Christmas: Kindness, Presents, and Indulgence (KPI).

1. Kindness: The Ultimate Guest Experience

Revenue managers, you’ve spent all year optimizing experiences for guests. Now it’s time to turn that same energy inward and outward:

• Internal KPIs: Show appreciation for your team. A simple “thank you” or a heartfelt message can go a long way in boosting morale. ??
• External KPIs: Spread kindness beyond the office. Surprise a stranger with a coffee, donate to a local charity, or even help a fellow RM stuck in a forecasting loop. Your RevPAR (Reputation Perceived Among Residents) will skyrocket. ??

Target (because I know you want one): Deliver 5 acts of kindness this holiday season.

2. Presents: Yield Management for Loved Ones

When it comes to gifting for the people who matter most, revenue managers know how to bring joy while keeping it meaningful and efficient:

• Segmentation Strategy: For your partner: Go premium with something deeply personal—think experiences over things. A surprise weekend getaway or a handmade gift is perfect for your VIP. For kids: It’s all about the WOW factor. Get them that one item they can’t stop talking about, but throw in a thoughtful twist—like an activity you can enjoy together. For extended family: Practical gifts or shared experiences (like a family game night set) can hit the sweet spot without breaking the bank. ??
• Booking Window: Bummer, you missed it. one day to go!!! even dropping your rates wont cut it this time ;-)
• Target: Hit a family-wide HGS (Heartfelt Gift Satisfaction) score. The ultimate measure? Big smiles, warm hugs, and maybe a tear or two of joy. ??

3. Indulgence: Maximize Festive ROI

After a year of crunching numbers, you’ve earned a little indulgence. This KPI is all about maximizing the return on your festive investments:

• Revenue Recovery: Treat yourself! Whether it’s a luxurious meal, an extravagant holiday experience, or finally upgrading that laptop for smoother Excel sessions, prioritize yourself. ?
• Occupancy Optimization: Block your calendar for some much-needed downtime. Unwind with family, friends, or even just your favorite holiday movie and a glass of mulled wine. ????

Target: Reach 100% occupancy of personal joy this holiday season. And this comes with SWITCHING OFF!!!!

Pro Tip: Always Measure the True ROI

The true measure of your Christmas KPIs isn’t in the size of the gifts or the number of acts of kindness—it’s in the smiles you create, the laughter you share, and the memories you build. ??

So, Revenue Tribe, this season, let’s hit the trifecta:

Be Kind, Give Thoughtfully, and Indulge Guilt-Free. Because these are the KPIs that really matter.

I am off now. See you in the new year. No LinkedIn for me until then. I will be moving more and more to a dedicated Revenue Community I am building in 2025 and your support would be super appreciated. You can sign up here to see what it will be all about: My Revenue Tribe

Wishing you all a holiday season filled with love, laughter, and perfectly optimized joy.

Merry Christmas and a KPI-tastic New Year! ???

Love,

Fabi ??