21 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

PI: = Process Improvement

 

On our Hawaii trip it became apparent that no matter how far out that I get the calendar set up ...if the trip is NOT open for booking then really proactive members will now know they HAVE a guaranteed spot and will make other plans. To avoid this I created the Susan Rule which is as follows:

 

1. All members on a trip (and SD staff at anytime) can sign up for a spot on a trip even if not open and they will be guaranteed that spot for up to 2 weeks AFTER the trip finally opens for booking. This allows them to have time to sign up if traveling and its their spot so they can plan accordingly.

 

2 We also committed to getting trips opened further and futher out and I promised to to do it. It will be a pain but once done it will be easy to maintain.

 

Please let me know ways to ensure we can implement......

 

1. We need a standard spot for those on the guaranteed list to be listed (TC topic? Or buildout topic)

2. We need to decide if we leave their inv out of the system or enter it but monitor to when spots remaining equal the saveed number of spots?

3. We need to remind people they are on the list and they have 2 weeks to get signed up or make other arrangements for their spot.

4. Anything else come to mind to make this program work?

 

Thank you!

 

STATUS ON IMPLEMENTATION THUS FAR (Jan 2020)

 

1. Emails sent to trips and Brad forwards to Butch. (Rather than send to Butch directly so as to not confuse people Brad offered to relay the messages.)

2. Sample of the main first message below:

 

GROUP PM PLEASE DO NOT DELETE

Sample Trip Name  Month dates, Year

 

MASTER LIST OF GUARANTEED SPOTS:

 

1. Kamala

2.

3.

 

 

 

Hello SDer!  We are working really hard to not only book trips further and further out but also to OPEN them further and further out.

 

In the meantime we have created a UNIQUE and SPECIAL PROGRAM for our best members...those who travel with us or volunteer by helping us. Inspired by fellow members who say its not enough to know a trip will open ...they need to know they have a spot on it and can book airfare, get the time off, etc.

 

So we created this new GUARANTEED SPOT PROGRAM.  Here is how it works.

 

1. If you send us an email like the message below this one that is being posted after every trip we run AND going backwards in time to the earlier 2019 trips and then the 2018 trips or are a club volunteer and have sent the email asking for a GUARANTEED SPOT then the following happens.

2. Your name will be on the GUARANTEED SPOT BEING HELD LIST for each trip in our "behind the scenes command center' so we know who is on the list and can monitor total spots 'prebooked and committed too' so we DO NOT OVERBOOK A TRIP.

3. You will get a dedicated PM (private message) that ONLY contains the names of the people who have been guaranteed a spot. No one else will be on this list. Your name will automatically be added to the "Who's Interested when this trip is open for booking list" we maintain for each trip BUT we suggest you simply post in that topic as well to take some of the load off the volunteers.

4. A min of 1 week before we open the trip for everyone to book YOU WILL GET NOTICE ITS OPEN FOR PRIVATE BOOKING AND YOU CAN BOOK YOUR SPOT sealing the deal. You may end up with 2 weeks prior to general booking but for sure 1 week before anyone else.

5. The 2nd week you are guaranteed to have in case you are traveling or need to juggle funds etc. *may* be exclusive to you only  ie. private booking OR it may coincide with the general booking notifications. By having your name on the "Tell us when this trip is open" list you know when the general booking has started.

6. If you have to release your spot there is no penalty. You simply do NOT sign up for it.  If your plans change before we open the trip we ask that you email trips@singledivers.com to let us know as a courtesy.

7. If you need more than 2 weeks to get signed up due to lack of internet or traveling... please let us know and we will do everything we can to work with you to retain this spot for you until you can book it. 

8. If you have any questions you can reply back to this message if you thinks its a question everyone would benefit from. If it is personal or not suited for everyone to see...please email Kamala aka WreckWench directly at kamala@singledivers.com

9. The trip PM will also give you advance warning of when we will be opening the trip up. This lets you know its going to happen very soon so if you are traveling we can help you work around it.

10. You will get the same early booking discounts that everyone else will receive ...you just get to book first before anyone else and with the exact number of spots available so that everyone gets what they wanted.

11. AND YES YOU CAN BUY YOUR AIRFARE!!  Since some trips are inside the air booking window and are still not open for booking yet...if you are on this list YOU CAN BOOK YOUR AIR!!

 

Thank you for being loyal supporters of our club and KEEP LETTING US KNOW HOW TO IMPROVE IT. This was a direct result of member feedback on how to improve the club! Suhweet!!!

 

HOW MUCH TIME DO I GET FOR EARLY BOOKING:

 

If the trip has a limited number of spots and the guaranteed spot list is getting close to that max number then we will give you 1 week PRIOR to general booking AND 1 week during general booking to ENSURE YOU HAVE EVERY CHANCE TO LOCK IN YOUR SPOT.

 

If the trip has an unlimited number of spots or far more than the number of people who wanted us to hold them a spot we will give you 2 weeks DURING general booking to secure your spot. If at any time your spot could be booked by someone else during the general booking process we will hold a spot back for you so you are safe in your booking during your 2 weeks guaranteed booking widow. 

 

(Note if you are having extreme difficulties trying to book during the SPECIAL EARLY BOOKING PERIOD...email trips@singledivers.com and let us know and we should be able to work around the issue for you. NOTE: YOU MUST PUT GUARANTEED SPOT EXTENSION REQUEST IN THE TITLE to help us answer quickly and help you.)

 

DO NOT DELETE THIS MESSAGE:

 

Please do not delete this message EVEN IF YOU POST 2X. We will delete the duplicate post. If you accidentally delete the message we can not add you back and you will not get the advance warning. that the trip is open. Sadly that could effectively deny you the advance warning we promised you for booking your spot. We must hold you accountable for keeping  the ONLY LINE OF COMMUNICATION we are using for the management of this program open. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not delete this message or you could jeopardize your spot. Thank you!

 

HOW TO SEE WHO IS ON THE GUARANTEED SPOT LIST FOR MY TRIP:

 

To see who else is ALSO guaranteed a spot you will need to log into the SingleDivers.com PM system to check the first post of the PM entitled GUARANTEED SPOT for _____ Trip. 

 

AGAIN DO NOT DELETE IT OR YOU MAY FORFEIT YOUR SPOT as its the only one way we have to communicate with you and you can not be added back. We also can not try and keep up with who deleted the message because we do not see this on our end. The only way you know you did it is that you won't get any updates and you can't find it in your inbox. So as Nike says...JUST DON'T DO IT!! 

 

 

HOW TO FIND THE GUARANTEED SPOT PM AND SEE ALL PREVIOUS RELATED UPDATES:  

 

If you want to see ALL the messages that have been posted in the GUARANTEED SPOT pm please do the following:

• go to www.singledivers.com
• click on FORUMS
• click on Take me to the Surface Interval Forums
• In the upper right log in (do NOT log in at www.singledivers.com as this will only take you to the booking system and not the trip PM which resides in the forums)
• Once logged in you will see a gray envelope icon to the left of your screen name
• If the envelope has a green number in it that means you have new unread messages
• If the envelope is greyed out then you have read all the message but either way... click on the green number OR the gray envelope and you will be taken to your PM's. (Private Messages)
• Once in the PM inbox click on the PM for the trip you are on. EACH trip will have an "GUARANTEED SPOT PM" with that trip name in the title and the trip date in the subject line.
• DO NOT DELETE  this message as we can never add you back and you will miss all the important trip updates that we send prior to a trip with our group.

 

Questions? Either click on the RED HELP button or email admin@singledivers.com

Timing? SingleDivers.com is an all volunteer dive club so please give us a day or so to get back to you. If its urgent please feel free to email kamala@singledivers.com directly or call me at 8645576079. If I am traveling I will only have access to email but it may be on a different timezone and during non-diving hours.

Wanna Help? We ALWAYS need volunteers Please email kamala@singledivers.com to discuss how you can best help or ideas you have for helping out.

 

Thanks for joining our club AND joining one of our awesome trips!

 

ORIGINAL MESSAGE YOU REC'D after traveling with us:

 

"MEMBERS ROCK RULE" aka GUARANTEED SPOT ON A TRIP FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS AFTER ITS OPENED UP FOR BOOKING:

 

It has come to my attention that despite getting the trip calendar set further and further in advance...UNTIL a trip is open and a member KNOWS they are signed up...they can't really bank on being on one of our epic trips. To remedy this we have created a special opportunity for anyone who has been ON A TRIP with us in 2019 to HOLD A GUARANTEED spot risk free for 2 weeks after the trip opens up. During that time as long as you sign up the spot remains yours. If you have to change your plans you can let the spot lapse and we will open it up to another member! YES MEMBERSHIP HAS BENEFITS!!! 

 

So take a look at the trip calendar fleshing out as we speak and let us know if you want a guaranteed spot on one of these epic trips JUST BECAUSE YOU TRAVELED WITH US in 2020, 2019 or 2018! Awesome!

 

To get your name on the GUARANTEED HELD SPOT LIST....simply email trips@singledivers.com with the following info in the subject line:  Guaranteed spot for _______ trip for _________ member.  Simply tell us the name of the trip and week & year that you want us to hold the spot for you and you'll be added to the guaranteed "who's going" list we will maintain until we can open them up. We plan to give those who are on this special Early Guaranteed Going list a full week before others even know the trip is open for booking and then give you a second full week as we announce to the world that the trip is open!

 

NOTE: This list will not be public but we will create a PRIVATE MESSAGE for each trip with guaranteed sign ups so we can give you advance knowledge when its open to you FIRST and then open for general booking!!! Traveling with us has NEVER been more rewarding!

 

End of PM is here

 

TIPS ON STANDARDIZING THE PM TO PARTICIPANTS:

 

Ok I have tried to clean up and standardize the Guaranteed Spot PM's. See below.

A few thoughts...

1. Use the group pm terminology in the 4 messages listed below ABOVE the details of how the program works when you do a new one.

2. Please add the full dates and year to the title.

3. Please use the real first name of the people in the list including screen name. 

4. You may wish to add the extra material I added about not deleting etc UNDER THE PROGRAM DETAILS vs me doing them as separate posts. Just copy them into the main post under the material you have so far.

5. Please add DO NOT DELETE at the very end of the Dates ex

GUARANTEED SPOT Dominica May 30-Jun 6, 2020 - DO NOT DELETE

This will make them all more consistent going forward and also ensure they don't delete them. Or hopefully do not delete them. This is a "learn as we go" sort of thing as we think of ways to improve the program. Thank you!

Edited by Cajun Diver, 24 January 2020 - 06:05 PM.
Updated with info from the Raja PM

[Cajun Diver]

Please let me know ways to ensure we can implement......

 

1. We need a standard spot for those on the guaranteed list to be listed (TC topic? Or buildout topic)

2. We need to decide if we leave their inv out of the system or enter it but monitor to when spots remaining equal the saved number of spots?

3. We need to remind people they are on the list and they have 2 weeks to get signed up or make other arrangements for their spot.

4. Anything else come to mind to make this program work?

 

Initially it will need to be on the buildout topic so when the HIKA is done the spots can be held back.  Once the trip is open then it would need to be tracked on the TC Action items topic.  Notification could be done in the trip open PM.

 

There needs to be a post explaining this or it needs to be added to the FAQ's.

 

Might also extend this to any premiere member - ie allow them to reserve a spot for up to 2 weeks even if not on a trip.

[Cmdr. Clownfish]

IF I understand Butch, then I think he is correct.  You hold the inventory back and if after the 2 weeks has past then you add the inventory back in for everyone on the list that did not sign up. I would send them an email and not put it in a public PM since some people may not want the world to know they were one the list and may not even want their name in a post.  These people would need to be tracked on the backend.  

[WreckWench]

I like the idea of sending the note that the trip will open and so they can be ready.to book first if at all possible.

 

1. Can we just allow them 1 week of early booking without announcing the trip as being open yet?

 

Since most are interested in the trips with very limited spots we have to be careful about holding back the inventory UNLESS we have unlimited spots. But the trips people seem most interested in are the ones with limited inventory thus far. Otherwise we could create a rush by showing so few spots...which could also be a good thing.

 

So it seems all ideas have pros and cons no matter how we approach it.

 

Other brainstorming ideas for handling include:

 

1. Doing as Butch said and announcing the new program to people for anyone who has taken a trip with us to presign up for a dedicated spot. Another benefit of membership?  Or maybe an early holiday present to anyone who has traveled with us before.... great way to include SD in your New Year's Resolutions?  Or just leave it for each group of people on a trip to feel special?

2. Could offer 1 week guaranteed booking for any premier member or 2 weeks for those who have traveled with us? 

3. Could keep it private to start and manage however we decide.

4. Could show all the inv avail but show the spots as committed to a dive shop group aka our members with the special deal.  Then as anyone signs up who is part of that allocated inv we note it in the TC forum or build out forum. When we get down to too few spots (if this ever happens) we can we can then hold them back or release them to the general inventory.

 

1. Kamala

2.

3.

4-

5.

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15-20 Dive Shop Group (for public showing but think of this as the group of early guaranteed sign up spots)

SOLD OUT

 

 

Or we can possibly show all inv and give the members with guaranteed spots an extra week to quietly book before anyone else and then open the trip to everyone and they also get the first week when everyone else is booking and working to get organized. By having a bunch of sign ups we will jump start each new trip as it opens which is good.

 

Or maybe we give the trip members a way to book the dep and get an early booking discount? (see the other issue I raise below about our good members juggling too many trips payment wise)

 

If we continue to open trips out further and further which is the goal then it won't be as much of an issue as they are less and less likely to sell out in theory.

 

ANOTHER ISSUE I NEED TO THINK ABOUT.....

 

When you push the window further out like we are doing (THIS IS GOOD) then we have some payment timing issues for our repeat members. In other words they can't pay off trips they are going on this year and pay out lots for trips in 1-2 years.

 

So I'm looking at ideas for how to still reward early deposits and/or bookings etc.

 

1. One idea is to offer the members who book early their guaranteed spot a special coupon worth $ if they do the deposit and worth $$ if they pay in full. This could only be shown to the members who have signed up on a dive trip sort of thing or been on a trip this year FREQUENT DIVER DISCOUNT sort of thing.

 

2. Many have suggested a loyalty program of sorts if at all possible and these measures may be the way to do it.

[WreckWench]

Add'l input from the namesake...  aka Susan "resqdew"

 

It's good to try new ways to get people to sign up for trips, but there needs to be a better name for the rule that is more inclusive to all divers.

 

Other suggested rule names: Diver Bonus Rule, Trip Guarantee Rule, Repeat Diver Bonus, etc.

I could be dead in two years so you probably won't want to continue to call it Susan's Rule......  too creepy.

And, there will be less explanation needed if you call it the Repeat Diver Bonus, which is the name I prefer you use.

 

If possible, there needs to be an easy way for each diver to keep track of which trips they have used the rule for - - I know I am on the list for at least one trip in the future, but I didn't write it down so I'm not exactly sure which one. Yes, most of the time it's posted on the trip page on the website, but most divers won't want to look at each trip page to try to find their name. This might be a minor point, but you know that people will ask about it.

 

Like Jose stated, any discount system needs to be simple and easy to understand. The main point would be to ensure that IT WORKS within the stated deadline.

 

 

 

Input on how to manage discounts and EBD's when posting so far in the future from Jose & Jenny:

 

Keep it as simple as possible. Reality is that most of your clients aren't going to be swayed too significantly to go on a trip based on tons of potential discount. Option #2 you listed seems like a simple way of doing it. Maybe for really early deposits get free nitrox or like $100 OFF and really early full payment you get nitrox and a significant discount. 

 

Maybe make the really early deposit a smaller deposit like say 50% of what the usual initial deposit would be and the remaining 50% to be due when your typical opening date would be. This way early depositors don't feel they are putting up too much money very early but get the comfort of knowing they are definitely booked for the trip.

 

 

WW's thoughts to above:

 

PAM I NEED YOUR INPUT ON THE FOLLOWING.... notably :

 

For Pam

• Can we put a coupon on a dep AND a coupon for paying the balance in full via a 2nd payment? So they dep and get a discount so we don't have to have 2 different deposits and then they pay in full by a certain date and they can apply a 2nd coupon on the balance. In other words...can we set it up so you can use 2 coupons on 1 order?
• We are leaning towards 1 set of discounts for the people on the guaranteed spot list i..e the best repeat booking clients of SD...for 2 weeks prior to the trip opening for the general public so they can expire and be hidden from the regular EBD's we currently do. I think this will work but need to verify.
• If we try to have 2 different dep amts then we need 2 different sku's right because all the payments are different? I want to avoid this option as its a lot of extra work.

 

My general ideas regarding discounts and deposit amts as we push opening of trips further and further from the trip date:

1. SUPER big discount for payment in full if opened up REALLY far in
advance.

2. Sign up and dep by ______ and get instant $ off the trip.  Pay in
full by _____ in a single payment and get another $ off (have to check
to see if we can do 2 coupons for one trip or not. We might have to do
it manually)

3. Offer coupon discounts that really stretch out but for smaller amts. In other words they last for 1-2 months vs 1 week if the trip is in say 21 or 22.

 

[Cajun Diver]

From 11/4/2019 email:

To help manage this we will have a post and list in the PRIVATE Trip building topic or better yet summarized on the first post like we do other things... of anyone who signs up for the guaranteed spot program. Then lets open up a PM for those members entitled GUARANTEED SPOT on ______ , 20___. 

We can then paste the following summary below in the PM (modified for each trip ) and then list the names as they are added. As we add someone then make a new post telling who has been added to the list.

 

"MEMBERS ROCK RULE" aka GUARANTEED SPOT ON A TRIP FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS AFTER ITS OPENED UP FOR BOOKING:

 

It has come to my attention that despite getting the trip calendar set further and further in advance...UNTIL a trip is open and a member KNOWS they are signed up...they can't really bank on being on one of our epic trips. To remedy this we have created a special opportunity for anyone who has been ON A TRIP with us in 2019 to HOLD A GUARANTEED spot risk free for 2 weeks after the trip opens up. During that time as long as you sign up the spot remains yours. If you have to change your plans you can let the spot lapse and we will open it up to another member! YES MEMBERSHIP HAS BENEFITS!!! 

 

So take a look at the trip calendar fleshing out as we speak and let us know if you want a guaranteed spot on one of these epic trips JUST BECAUSE YOU TRAVELED WITH US TO ROATAN!!! Awesome!

 

To get your name on the GUARANTEED HELD SPOT LIST....simply email trips@singledivers.com with the following info in the subject line:  Guaranteed spot for _______ trip for _________ member.  Simply tell us the name of the trip and week & year that you want us to hold the spot for you and you'll be added to the guaranteed "who's going" list we will maintain until we can open them up. We plan to give those who are on this special Early Guaranteed Going list a full week before others even know the trip is open for booking and then give you a second full week as we announce to the world that the trip is open!

 

NOTE: This list will not be public but we will create a PRIVATE MESSAGE for each trip with guaranteed sign ups so we can give you advance knowledge when its open to you FIRST and then open for general booking!!! Traveling with us has NEVER been more rewarding!

[WreckWench]

Thanks Butch. Wifh wifi down until yesterday...its hard working off my phone.

[WreckWench]

BELOW are the people who have opted to be part of this promise so far AND THE MESSAGE I JUST SENT THE HAWAII PEOPLE WHERE WE STARTED THIS PROGRAM.

 

TO DO:

 

Brad please set up a PM for each trip and add the people to them as you have time and repost the info above about them being locked in. Then as they reply back to the trips@ email add them to the PM that tracks them. When the trip is ready to open we will open it privately to them first and them to the general public.

 

GUARANTEED SPOTS ON FUTURE TRIPS:

 

Please let me know if anyone else wanted a guaranteed spot on the Socorro trip before I open this up to other trip goers from the Roatan Trips.

 

Email trips@singledivers.com or reply to this email version WITH YOUR NAME AND THE TRIP YOU WANT A GUARANTEED SPOT ON.

 

We will manage this two ways...we will track in our back room management area this info but we will ALSO create a trip pm for being on the early guaranteed spot program for each trip in question. As updates are avail you will be the ONLY ones getting them firsthand and you will be able to book for at least 1 week before the general public so as to ensure you get a coveted spot if the trip is uber popular.

 

A PM will be set up for the Socorro trip and I just want to be sure we did not miss anyone on it OR ANY OTHER TRIP WE ARE OFFERING.

 

Socorro May 27 - Jun 4, 2021  (partial list....please EMAIL trips@singledivers.com to add your name to the list(s)

 

1. Kamala

2. Susan

3. Zil

4. Beth

5. Amy

6. Pat F

 

All our trips locked in so far are HERE

 

[dive_sail_etc]

From 11/4/2019 email:

To help manage this we will have a post and list in the PRIVATE Trip building topic or better yet summarized on the first post like we do other things... of anyone who signs up for the guaranteed spot program. Then lets open up a PM for those members entitled GUARANTEED SPOT on ______ , 20___. 

We can then paste the following summary below in the PM (modified for each trip ) and then list the names as they are added. As we add someone then make a new post telling who has been added to the list.

 

"MEMBERS ROCK RULE" aka GUARANTEED SPOT ON A TRIP FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS AFTER ITS OPENED UP FOR BOOKING:

 

It has come to my attention that despite getting the trip calendar set further and further in advance...UNTIL a trip is open and a member KNOWS they are signed up...they can't really bank on being on one of our epic trips. To remedy this we have created a special opportunity for anyone who has been ON A TRIP with us in 2019 to HOLD A GUARANTEED spot risk free for 2 weeks after the trip opens up. During that time as long as you sign up the spot remains yours. If you have to change your plans you can let the spot lapse and we will open it up to another member! YES MEMBERSHIP HAS BENEFITS!!! 

 

So take a look at the trip calendar fleshing out as we speak and let us know if you want a guaranteed spot on one of these epic trips JUST BECAUSE YOU TRAVELED WITH US TO ROATAN!!! Awesome!

 

To get your name on the GUARANTEED HELD SPOT LIST....simply email trips@singledivers.com with the following info in the subject line:  Guaranteed spot for _______ trip for _________ member.  Simply tell us the name of the trip and week & year that you want us to hold the spot for you and you'll be added to the guaranteed "who's going" list we will maintain until we can open them up. We plan to give those who are on this special Early Guaranteed Going list a full week before others even know the trip is open for booking and then give you a second full week as we announce to the world that the trip is open!

 

NOTE: This list will not be public but we will create a PRIVATE MESSAGE for each trip with guaranteed sign ups so we can give you advance knowledge when its open to you FIRST and then open for general booking!!! Traveling with us has NEVER been more rewarding!

 

As I prepare to process the first list of names for the guaranteed spot promotion please help me out be clarifying:

 

 - As members complete a trip they become eligible for guaranteed spot on any number of trips they choose from the point they complete a trip until when (presumably no longer than the end of the following calendar year) or is their Guaranteed spot good until they exercise it even years out?
 - Rather than create a different PM per trip to announce the list of eligible members, I presume all members who complete a trip are automatically eligible so rather we can include a reminder in the Wrap Up Reply in each Trip PM
 - As members reply to Trips Inbox with their Guaranteed spot choice we can better track this in a special section of the corresponding SAVE THE DATES topic so not only can those eligible members check there for their names, others can see and appreciate the benefits in a public topic

 

Thoughts/comments welcome,

[WreckWench]

Random thoughts as I am not fully coherent today due to other matters swirling around.

 

1. I want this private. Its an insider perk and due to recent competitive threats I am not inclined to give all our cool programs away so someone else can steal them and market them better.. So I don't want the list published externally hence the PM for each trip. This will then allow us to give them first access when the trip is open for booking so they can sign up first before going public.

2. I will probably go back to EVERY trip participant this year and let them in on the deal... I was testing it after the origination of the idea in Hawaii and using the post trip PM as  a way to get it out there after talking about it of course on the trip.

 

I hope that helps clarify things for now. I am sure things will evolve but the simplest way to manage is to keep it in the trip build out area the people who want a guaranteed spot and manage via a TRIP PM FOR EACH TRIP THAT HAS PEOPLE WAITING FOR IT TO OPEN TO GET THEIR SPOT.

[dive_sail_etc]

Random thoughts as I am not fully coherent today due to other matters swirling around.

 

1. I want this private. Its an insider perk and due to recent competitive threats I am not inclined to give all our cool programs away so someone else can steal them and market them better.. So I don't want the list published externally hence the PM for each trip. This will then allow us to give them first access when the trip is open for booking so they can sign up first before going public.

2. I will probably go back to EVERY trip participant this year and let them in on the deal... I was testing it after the origination of the idea in Hawaii and using the post trip PM as  a way to get it out there after talking about it of course on the trip.

 

I hope that helps clarify things for now. I am sure things will evolve but the simplest way to manage is to keep it in the trip build out area the people who want a guaranteed spot and manage via a TRIP PM FOR EACH TRIP THAT HAS PEOPLE WAITING FOR IT TO OPEN TO GET THEIR SPOT.

 

 - So the topic title should read "HI" vice "PI". That helps me understand the origins of the member list. I will fix it.

 - Since managing member notifications from the "Notify List" for first crack at the TRIP IS NOW OPEN phase typically falls to the TC, and since the TC Level is as restricted as teh Trip Buildout area it is a relatively simple matter for the GUARANTEED SPOT list to be created and managed in a topic on the TC Level. What is still not clear to me is what limitations/expirations are to be applied, otherwise in relatively little time the list of email responses signalling inclusion on the list stands a chance of exceeding the number of spots generally allocated to a trip.
      a) Should the members be directed to the Upcoming Trips list and, whether a trip is open or not, be allowed to select two trips for their guaranteed spot? (a random number but seems reasonable)
      b) Otherwise is it to be that members who email requesting to be on the Guaranteed spot list be allowed unlimited trips to choose? What is the cutoff? Again this runs the risk of becoming unmanageable quickly.

[Cajun Diver]

 

 

 - So the topic title should read "HI" vice "PI". That helps me understand the origins of the member list. I will fix it.

 - Since managing member notifications from the "Notify List" for first crack at the TRIP IS NOW OPEN phase typically falls to the TC, and since the TC Level is as restricted as teh Trip Buildout area it is a relatively simple matter for the GUARANTEED SPOT list to be created and managed in a topic on the TC Level. What is still not clear to me is what limitations/expirations are to be applied, otherwise in relatively little time the list of email responses signalling inclusion on the list stands a chance of exceeding the number of spots generally allocated to a trip.
      a) Should the members be directed to the Upcoming Trips list and, whether a trip is open or not, be allowed to select two trips for their guaranteed spot? (a random number but seems reasonable)
      b) Otherwise is it to be that members who email requesting to be on the Guaranteed spot list be allowed unlimited trips to choose? What is the cutoff? Again this runs the risk of becoming unmanageable quickly.

 

Since this will have to be managed by both the trip buildout (possibly saving spots) and the TC to give them first crack t - seems like in the TC topic and PM would keep it on track.

 

a. If the trip is open they can go ahead and sign up so it's not really needed for that but is for those not open yet.

b. Wouldn't the cut off be what trips are on the schedule but not open yet?

[WreckWench]

REPLYING TO BUTCH:

 

I would like to PREVENT holding inv back unless there is no other way. Doing it this way will take a lot of extra work and touching things twice.

My idea is to give the people 1-2 weeks PRE-BOOKING access so they book first. This eliminates touching the inv multiple times and will require less management.

 

So we only have to manage in one place. I chose the Trip Buildout since it is all things PRIOR to a trip which this is.

Once the early booking period has passed (currently slated at 2 weeks) then we will do general booking OR we will do 1 week of private booking and 1 week of general booking. Again I am not worried a trip will fill up in the short of a period of time.

 

Since the TC topic is not usually opened up until AFTER the trip is opened...that is another reason why I did not go that route and we need to collect the names someplace...hence the build out topic. We can simply add a header in the first post and keep the names there.

 

Of course the PM then is the second part of it. Once the trip is open then we simply send the message saying they can start booking before everyone else.

I think this will be the simplest way to handle it.

[WreckWench]

 

Random thoughts as I am not fully coherent today due to other matters swirling around.

 

1. I want this private. Its an insider perk and due to recent competitive threats I am not inclined to give all our cool programs away so someone else can steal them and market them better.. So I don't want the list published externally hence the PM for each trip. This will then allow us to give them first access when the trip is open for booking so they can sign up first before going public.

2. I will probably go back to EVERY trip participant this year and let them in on the deal... I was testing it after the origination of the idea in Hawaii and using the post trip PM as  a way to get it out there after talking about it of course on the trip.

 

I hope that helps clarify things for now. I am sure things will evolve but the simplest way to manage is to keep it in the trip build out area the people who want a guaranteed spot and manage via a TRIP PM FOR EACH TRIP THAT HAS PEOPLE WAITING FOR IT TO OPEN TO GET THEIR SPOT.

 

 - So the topic title should read "HI" vice "PI". That helps me understand the origins of the member list. I will fix it.

 - Since managing member notifications from the "Notify List" for first crack at the TRIP IS NOW OPEN phase typically falls to the TC, and since the TC Level is as restricted as teh Trip Buildout area it is a relatively simple matter for the GUARANTEED SPOT list to be created and managed in a topic on the TC Level. What is still not clear to me is what limitations/expirations are to be applied, otherwise in relatively little time the list of email responses signalling inclusion on the list stands a chance of exceeding the number of spots generally allocated to a trip.
      a) Should the members be directed to the Upcoming Trips list and, whether a trip is open or not, be allowed to select two trips for their guaranteed spot? (a random number but seems reasonable)
      b) Otherwise is it to be that members who email requesting to be on the Guaranteed spot list be allowed unlimited trips to choose? What is the cutoff? Again this runs the risk of becoming unmanageable quickly.

 

REPLYING TO BRAD:

 

 

- So the topic title should read "HI" vice "PI". That helps me understand the origins of the member list. I will fix it.

 

 

PI stands for Process Improvement meaning that is what this topic is. The title for the PM should be :

 

GUARANTEED Spot for Trip Name & full Date PM and List.....  so

GUARANTEED spot for SOCORRO May 24-Jun 4, 2021 PM & List

 

Ok trying to understand your other questions.... and of course reply.

 

- Since managing member notifications from the "Notify List" for first crack at the TRIP IS NOW OPEN phase typically falls to the TC, and since the TC Level is as restricted as teh Trip Buildout area it is a relatively simple matter for the GUARANTEED SPOT list to be created and managed in a topic on the TC Level. What is still not clear to me is what limitations/expirations are to be applied, otherwise in relatively little time the list of email responses signalling inclusion on the list stands a chance of exceeding the number of spots generally allocated to a trip.
      a) Should the members be directed to the Upcoming Trips list and, whether a trip is open or not, be allowed to select two trips for their guaranteed spot? (a random number but seems reasonable)
      b) Otherwise is it to be that members who email requesting to be on the Guaranteed spot list be allowed unlimited trips to choose? What is the cutoff? Again this runs the risk of becoming unmanageable quickly.

 

 

If we use the PM that I am suggesting we use to manage the list of those on the guaranteed spot list for a trip before its open then we simply send a message saying its open and they have 1 week private before anyone else to book and 1 week while general booking has started. That is how I have presented it so far to everyone and they have all agreed that is good.

 

By doing it this way you already have the dedicated email already set up. Once we go to general booking then you will do the normal "The trip is open for booking" email that you always do. In fact when you do that email everyone including the people who have already signed up will be on it just like it was the only pm we had sent.

 

There are no limitations as of now because I seriously doubt we will never pre sell all the spots on any given trip. First off I have already offered this to all 3 weeks of the Roatan people and NO ONE HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IT. So far only people on the Hawaii trip have jumped on it and they only asked for one trip. I have every plan of opening a trip before the list gets full...ANOTHER REASON to have in the pre trip build out so I can monitor that.

 

Members who have completed a trip will be given a link to all upcoming trips and asked to send trips@ an email with any trips they want a guaranteed spot on. If someone abuses it (not likely) or we see any other issues develop...we can address it then. For now I just want to keep is as simple as possible. A single list in the buildout area of each trip I am working on along with a PM to include all who have asked for a spot is the simplest way to deal with it. Then we give them early booking and we don't have to mess with the inventory. The second week they are in competition with everyone else but they have had adv warning for a week the trip is opening so ahead of the game vs others just getting notice.

 

Currently I see no reason to limit anything only because no one has really asked for anything other than 1 trip so far without any limits.  Even if they did...I would be more likely to get that trip open and see if they followed thru.

 

Let's see how it plays out and then decide if we need to put limits on it. The only limit I have put so far is the deadline limit for taking adv of the offer.

 

Thank you all for the insight and digging much deeper than my brain would have thought!

[WreckWench]

Brad/Butch pls send out the PM for the Socorro trip with the promise we made to the members that they have a guaranteed spot on that trip per the posted info I have posted above.

 

Then create the same list in the trip build out topic post #1 to keep track of who's on it.

 

Thank you! Kamala