LIW 2012- Operational Issues (PAR Seminar)

Tips from the old timers!

Janice Dunphy (The Web) and Tracey Bancroft (Ezeeeplay)

- 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!

Things to consider... before you start!

Sometimes you just can’t compete!!

Operational details• Staff and rotas!• Staff…• Staff..• Sorry All……

…….Staff Staff Staff…The good, the bad, the ugly and the certifiable! Sorry Julie x

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 !!

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

…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!

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!!

At the end of the day…it all depends upon how much you want it…and how hard you will fight to keep it!