Theme_Park_Insider
04-14-2009, 09:30 AM
By Robert Niles: There is great advice, and strong business lessons from history, in James Surowiecki's piece in the New Yorker (http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2009/04/20/090420ta_talk_surowiecki) this week.
Surowiecki never mentions theme parks in the piece. But he does tell of other consumer businesses and how they reacted to depressions and recessions. In short, those that cut back did worse during the recovery than those who remained aggressive in the down times.
Let that be a lesson to theme parks mulling a cut in customer service, new attraction design, promotions or advertising. Now is the time when you can bury your competitors - or bury yourself.
Fans are looking for ads touting new rides, new shows, new experiences and fresh deals. Ultimately, fans are looking to see who has their back this summer. Parks that come through will be the parks that endure.
More... (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200904/1161/)
Surowiecki never mentions theme parks in the piece. But he does tell of other consumer businesses and how they reacted to depressions and recessions. In short, those that cut back did worse during the recovery than those who remained aggressive in the down times.
Let that be a lesson to theme parks mulling a cut in customer service, new attraction design, promotions or advertising. Now is the time when you can bury your competitors - or bury yourself.
Fans are looking for ads touting new rides, new shows, new experiences and fresh deals. Ultimately, fans are looking to see who has their back this summer. Parks that come through will be the parks that endure.
More... (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200904/1161/)