Merzario 2:50
Ruggiero 2:55
Malighetti 2:56
Zorloni 2:59
Marchesi 3:02
Negri 3:15
Forni Riccardo 3:16
It is amazing how many people call different housing companies and only ask about the price. “What is your rate for a one bedroom apartment for one month?” My question would be, “What is included for the price?” The differences are incredible, and it’s not the big things but the little things.
If you are going to make something comfortable and convenient, can you see it in a picture?
Recently, I toured a competitor’s apartment, and I discovered they offered salt and pepper shakers without the salt and pepper. No one wants to go out and buy salt, pepper and sugar when they may be staying there for a month or two. These are the little things that make the difference.
Newer, luxury buildings are always more expesnive than the older buildings. They usually have more convenient amenities such as a washer/dryer, and of course it is a more modern building. Location is very important relative to price.
What is included for the price? Electricity, maid service, wi-fi, expanded cable (not basic cable), king/queen size bed, local and long distance calls? And what is the quality of the furniture and furnishings in the apartment? All of this should be considered when inquiring about the price of a corporate apartment.
~From the journal of Francine Manilow~
An elderly man was sitting next to me on a flight from San
Diego to Chicago. He told me he was from Australia and spent a wonderful month
in Chicago a couple years ago. When I asked him where he stayed, he said with
gusto, “Why I stayed with Mrs. Manilow!”
Before I told him my name, I sheepishly asked, “How were the
accommodations?” “Great!” he said with excitement.
Relieved to hear the answer, I proudly presented my business card to him.
Word of mouth is still the best marketing technique when trying to acquire the right customer.
In small business, finding your niche is so important because it greatly limits the
amount of valuable resources spent marketing to the wrong customer.
~From the Notepad of Francine Manilow~
After a long career in business, the awards are suddenly piling up for Francine Manilow, founder of the Chicago-based corporate housing supplier Manilow Suites.
In 2010, Ms. Manilow received the Chicago Business Woman of the Year Award from the National Assn. of Women Business Owners, was inducted into the University of Illinois at Chicago Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame and joined the board of the Center for Women’s Business Research. Last week, the Women’s Business Development Center announced it is naming her its 2010 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year.