The Unforeseen Hero
Posted on Mon, Aug 31, 2009
A few hours outside Seattle is Leavenworth, a
small Bavarian town, known for its Oktoberfest
celebration; the largest in the United States.
Recently, 2
customers had the same experience:they each booked a room at the same
hotel in Leavenworth
through Orbitz.com.
Soon after receiving confirmation, both customers were informed by the
hotel that rooms were not available at the booked rates – but they
could pay the difference if they wanted to keep their reservations.
Outraged, both turned to the local news station, which aired the story.
Once
it hits the news, a business in the position of the hotel would
probably give in, right? Surprisingly, it was the Leavenworth Chamber of
Commerce who saved the day for both customers by hooking each up
with a hotel room for Oktoberfest. Here’s the video.
Kudos to the Chamber in
Leavenworth.No one would have thought twice if they didn’t respond to
the story. But they saw an opportunity, and took advantage of it. As
one of the two customers, and Leavenworth’s newest Evangelist, said
“they want to make right on someone else’s screw up”.
Where do
you see opportunities? Not opportunities for making sales; but for new
relationships, community building, and creating Evangelists? Make this a
priority, and the sales will follow.