What Revenue Managers can learn from Pretzels & sausages

Act I: The Great Pretzel Debate

Scene: A School Hallway Turned Boardroom

Imagine walking into what you thought was a simple parents' evening, only to be thrust onto the set of what feels like a culinary version of "Shark Tank."

• The task? Deciding on the menu for the school play's intermission snack.
• The catch? It has to be quick, profitable, and silent (yes, silent).

Welcome to what I now fondly refer to as "The Great Pretzel Debate."

As the discussion unfolds, it's clear we're not just talking about snacks. Oh no, we're deep in a metaphorical masterclass on revenue management, where every parent morphs into a makeshift consultant, each with their own outdated market analysis.

"Pretzels with cheese," champions one, harking back to a bygone era when silence was not golden, and pretzels ruled supreme.

When questioned on variety, the room's silence spoke volumes.

It was a menu planning session gone rogue, a stark reminder of those revenue meetings where tradition battles innovation, and outcome remains a distant dream.

Act II: The Sound of Silence

Scene: Crunch Time

Then came the suggestion of nachos—a crunchy contender that fell victim to the auditory audit. "Too loud," they said, "it'll distract the young thespians." Popcorn, the next casualty, was dismissed faster than a bad online review.

It seems we were not just planning a menu but also tiptoeing around the sensory experience of a silent film festival.

This is where the dry humor of our predicament hit me.

Here we were, trying to solve a simple problem with the complexity of a revenue strategy meeting, where every suggestion was met with a counterargument more fitting of a courtroom drama than a school fundraiser.

Act III: The Sausage Saga

Scene: A Culinary Quandary

As the plot thickened with the introduction of sausages, the debate over bread's necessity mirrored the endless discussions about value-added services in revenue management.

"To bundle or not to bundle?" That was the question.

Quotes from butchers were sought with the diligence of a procurement team, yet, when presented with a cost-effective supermarket solution, the idea was dismissed with the disdain usually reserved for third-party booking sites.

Suddenly, cost-saving was out, and artisanal was in.

Pricing discussions turned into a scene reminiscent of setting high season rates. "3 euros for a 'Wienerle' because it's big," argued one, showcasing the kind of simplistic pricing logic that would send any seasoned revenue manager into fits of laughter.

Family pricing debates spiraled into an existential inquiry about value, fairness, and the meaning of life—or at least it felt that way.

Act IV: The Resolution?

Scene: Decision Time

In a surprising twist, the final act didn't bring resolution but rather a plot twist—a change in sausage type that rendered all previous debates moot. It was a moment of clarity, a realization that too many chefs, indeed, spoil the broth.

Or, in our case, too many parents spoil the profit margin.

Epilogue: Lessons Learned

Scene: The Aftermath

As the curtains fell on our parents' evening theater, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the world of revenue management.

Here we were, a group of well-intentioned parents (read: revenue managers), each with our own theories and strategies, yet collectively struggling to make a decision that was both profitable and practical.

This saga, while filled with dry humor and sarcastic undertones, was a poignant reminder of the challenges faced in revenue management.

The key to success, both in menu planning and revenue strategy, lies not in talking but in listening, adapting, and ultimately, in making decisions that drive outcomes.

And so, as I reflect on "The Great Pretzel Debate" and its lessons, I'm reminded of the importance of simplicity, flexibility, and the courage to choose the supermarket sausages over the butcher's.

Because sometimes, the most effective strategy is the one that embraces practicality over prestige, silence over sound, and, yes, even supermarket sausages over artisanal alternatives.

Now, over to you:

Have you ever found yourself in a "Great Pretzel Debate" at work?

How did you navigate through it?

Share your stories; laughter, learning, and the odd sausage saga are all welcome here.

Love,

Fabi

#RevenueManagement #ProblemSolving #Parenting #HospitalityHumor