Exciting New Episode Alert! 🎙️I am thrilled to announce the latest episode of the Tech On Toast podcast is now live! 🎧 This episode features an insightful conversation with the brilliant Victoria Searl, founder and head hawk of DataHawks. We delved deep into the world of hospitality tech and marketing, uncovering some invaluable insights along the way. Here are three key takeaways from this engaging episode:1. The Power of Data-Driven MarketingVictoria emphasised the importance of leveraging data to drive marketing strategies in the hospitality industry. By using data to gain actionable insights, businesses can create emotionally compelling email and SMS campaigns that resonate with their audience. The key takeaway here is that data is not just information; it's a powerful tool that can transform marketing efforts and drive tangible results.2. The Shift Towards Performance MarketingVictoria introduced a new performance model for email marketing that focuses on targeted, results-driven campaigns. By splitting email marketing into organic and performance channels, businesses can optimise their communication strategies to drive incremental revenue. This innovative approach not only enhances customer engagement but also ensures a measurable return on investment, making it a game-changer for hospitality brands.3. The Central Role of CRM in MarketingIn the discussion, the importance of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) at the core of a restaurant's tech stack was highlighted. CRM serves as the heartbeat of customer interactions, providing valuable insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and engagement. By prioritising CRM and utilising data effectively, businesses can build stronger relationships with customers and tailor their marketing efforts for maximum impact.This episode truly shed light on the evolving landscape of hospitality tech and marketing, offering practical strategies for businesses to thrive in today's challenging environment. If you're looking to elevate your marketing game and drive meaningful results, this episode is a must-listen!

The Tech on Toast Podcast is brought to you by Lightspeed, Retail & Restaurant ePOS — The one-stop commerce platform for retail, hospitality and golf merchants around the world.

Tune in to the full episode on the Tech On Toast podcast to dive deeper into these key takeaways and gain valuable insights from Victoria Searl's expertise. 🚀 Let's embrace the power of data-driven marketing and unlock new possibilities for success in the hospitality industry! 🌟 #TechOnToast #HospitalityTech #MarketingInsights #DataDrivenMarketing

🚀 Exciting New Podcast Episode Alert on Tech On Toast! 🎙️

Hey LinkedIn family! I'm super excited to share our latest episode of the Tech On Toast podcast, featuring a deep dive with Ivo Gavin, the dynamic London City Manager for Atoa. 🌆✨ In a fascinating conversation, we explored groundbreaking payment solutions reshaping the hospitality industry. Here’s what stood out:

1. Revolutionising Payment Processes: Atoa is steering a major shift by enabling UK customers to pay directly via their bank apps, bypassing conventional card networks like Visa and MasterCard. This innovation is slashing fees for businesses and accelerating settlements, boosting both cash flow and operational efficiency. 💼💡

2. Transparent and Fair Pricing: Atoa champions the "pay the fairway" philosophy, ensuring transparent pricing and equitable treatment for all businesses. With straightforward invoices and significantly lower fees than traditional card services, Atoa is setting a new standard for business empowerment. 🌟

3. Enhancing Customer Experience: The seamless integration of Atoa's solutions with existing POS systems and intuitive payment methods, such as QR code scans, is transforming customer interactions in the hospitality world. This ease and immediacy of transactions are winning over both businesses and consumers. 📱👥

For hospitality business owners eager to refine their payment systems and elevate cash flow, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss! To dive deeper into how Atoa can revolutionize your operations, connect with Ivo Gavin here on LinkedIn and visit their website at paywithatoa.co.uk for all the details.

Don't miss out on this episode of the Tech On Toast podcast to uncover more about Atoa's trailblazing solutions. Here's to advancing towards a future of efficient, cost-effective payment options in our industry! 🥂

#TechOnToast #PaymentSolutions #HospitalityIndustry #Innovation #PodcastEpisode #Atoa #CustomerExperience

Hey everyone! 🌟 Exciting news - we have a brand new episode of the Tech On Toast podcast out now! In this episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Brown, the founder and CEO of Shopwave. 🚀Here are three key takeaways from our insightful conversation with Ben:Customer engagement is key. Ben highlighted the importance of providing a seamless and engaging experience for customers. By offering multiple ways for customers to interact with your brand, such as through touchscreens, baristas, and mobile ordering, you can increase customer onboarding and loyalty by up to 70% on every transaction.Global Expansion and Innovation: The future of retail and technology is global. Ben discussed the trend of brands expanding internationally and the challenges they face in integrating technology across different markets. As the industry evolves, there will be a focus on consolidation, innovation, and ownership models, especially in the food and beverage space.Tech Behind the Scenes: Ben emphasised the need for technology to enhance the customer experience without being intrusive. By implementing tech solutions that empower customers to choose how they engage with the brand, businesses can drive revenue through subscriptions, merchandising, and omnichannel strategies.If you want to dive deeper into these topics and learn more about the intersection of technology and hospitality, be sure to listen to the full episode with Ben Brown on the Tech On Toast podcast. 🎧You can find the episode on our website or your favourite podcast platform. Don't forget to leave us a comment or message us with your thoughts and feedback. We love hearing from our listeners! 📩#TechOnToast #Podcast #CustomerEngagement #GlobalExpansion #Innovation #TechIntegration #HospitalityTech #RetailTech #CustomerExperience #OmnichannelStrategy #BrandExtension

Welcome back to another episode of the Tech On Toast podcast, where we delve into the world of hospitality technology and how it can simplify your operations. In this episode, we had the pleasure of welcoming Joel Satchi, co-founder of EMenu Now, and Vikram Badhwar, Director of International Retail Technology for Starbucks.Simplifying Hospitality TechWe kicked off the episode by discussing how EMenu Now is revolutionising the hospitality tech space by offering solutions that boost sales, cut costs, and enhance customer experiences. Joel emphasised the importance of sustainability and exceptional service, highlighting how their products can reduce waste and provide the support businesses need during peak times.The Future of POSVikram shared his insights on the evolving POS landscape, noting the shift towards more agile and leaner systems. We discussed how smaller tech players are challenging the status quo, offering nimble and cost-effective solutions that are gaining traction over traditional, cumbersome POS systems.Data UtilisationBoth guests agreed on the untapped potential of data in the hospitality industry. While larger enterprises like Starbucks have dedicated teams for data analysis, smaller businesses often overlook this valuable resource. E-Menu Now steps in to help these businesses by providing actionable insights and helping them monetise their data.Loyalty and Customer RetentionThe conversation also touched on the importance of loyalty programmes and how they're not just about discounts or points. Joel stressed the significance of simply thanking customers and creating a comfortable environment for them to return to.The Role of Technology in Staff RetentionVikram highlighted the critical role of technology in staff retention, explaining how technology can make employees' jobs easier and more enjoyable, which in turn can foster loyalty to the brand.Partnering with Drinks SuppliersJoel shared an exciting development where EMenu Now has partnered with major drink suppliers to promote their products through digital menus, leading to a significant increase in sales.Looking AheadAs we wrapped up the episode, we reflected on the future of hospitality technology, agreeing that it will continue to evolve, offering more choices for consumers and better tools for staff. The goal is to create a win-win situation where technology enhances the experience for everyone involved.Thank you for tuning in to the Tech On Toast podcast. We hope you found the insights from Joel and Vikram as enlightening as we did. Don't forget to visit techontoast.community for more resources, and join us next time for more tech talk over toast!

Welcome back to another episode of the Tech On Toast podcast, where we dive deep into the world of hospitality tech to uncover how it can simplify your business operations and drive growth.

In today's episode, we had the pleasure of hosting two industry experts: Gemma Barter, the Senior Digital Marketing Manager at Honest Burgers Ltd, and Matt Ford, the Business Development Director for Krowd.

Key Discussion Points:🔍 Understanding Customer Behaviour: Gemma shares insights on how Honest Burgers leverages data to understand and enhance customer experiences, emphasising the importance of loyalty programmes and data-driven marketing strategies.

🔗 The Role of Krowd: Matt introduces us to Krowd's Card-Linked Offers (CLO) space, explaining how it helps hospitality businesses incentivise customers through transactional data, without the need for front-of-house training or POS integration.

📊 Data and Marketing: Both guests discuss the shift towards a more analytical approach in hospitality marketing, highlighting the significance of data in making informed decisions and the potential of AI in understanding customer behaviour.

🚀 Future of Hospitality Tech: The conversation touches upon the future of tech in hospitality, with a focus on partnerships and integrations. Matt hints at Crowd's plans for expansion into North America and its evolving collaboration with American Express Dining.

🎯 Customer Acquisition and Retention: Strategies for acquiring new customers and encouraging repeat visits are explored. Gemma and Matt discuss the effectiveness of CLOs in increasing market share and the average frequency of visits.

🔒 Privacy and Data Security: Matt reassures listeners that customer data privacy is maintained, with all personal data staying within the brand and not shared with Krowd.

🤝 The Human Element: Despite the analytical focus, both guests agree on the importance of maintaining the human element in hospitality. They believe that technology should support and enhance the customer experience, not replace it.

This episode offers valuable insights into how technology, data, and strategic partnerships are shaping the future of hospitality marketing. Our guests from Honest Burgers and Krowd shared their experiences and visions, offering listeners a glimpse into the potential of tech to create seamless, personalised customer experiences while driving business growth.

For more insights and to connect with our guests, find Gemma Barter on LinkedIn and explore Crowd's offerings for your business needs. Join us again for more enlightening discussions on the Tech On Toast podcast.

You can tune in here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eHnHJdfg

The ⁠Tech On Toast⁠ podcast is brought to you by Redcat⁠, Manage multiple sites across POS, Online Ordering, Loyalty Apps, Kitchen Management, and Virtual Brands with a single system.

🎧 hashtag#HospitalityTech hashtag#DataDrivenMarketing hashtag#TechOnToast 🍞🔍🚀

🌟 Exciting news! 🎙️

I just released a new episode on the Tech On Toast podcast, and it's a must-listen for anyone in the hospitality industry looking to up their influencer marketing game. In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Mike Radley, co-founder of Joli App, about the ins and outs of influencer marketing in hospitality. 🍽️✨

Here are three key takeaways from our conversation that you won't want to miss:

1️⃣ Micro and Nano Influencers Are Gold: Mike highlighted the value of working with micro and nano influencers who are passionate content creators but may not yet realise their full potential. These influencers bring authenticity and relatability to your brand, making them a valuable asset for driving awareness and engagement.

2️⃣ Hyperlocality Matters: We delved into the importance of targeting influencers based on their geographical location and audience demographics. By aligning with influencers who resonate with your target market, you can effectively reach new customers and drive footfall to your establishment.

3️⃣ ROI Is Key: While influencer marketing can be a powerful tool, tracking ROI is essential. Mike emphasised the need for hospitality brands to correlate influencer collaborations with tangible outcomes, whether it's increased bookings, brand awareness, or sales. Understanding the impact of influencer partnerships is crucial for optimising your marketing strategy.

If you're curious to learn more about how influencer marketing can elevate your hospitality business, be sure to tune in to the full episode on the Tech On Toast podcast. 🎧✨

For further insights and to connect with Mike and the Joli App team, visit Joliapp.com or reach out to Michael at [email protected].

Let's toast to the power of influencers in the hospitality industry! 🥂 #InfluencerMarketing #HospitalityIndustry #TechOnToastPodcast

🎙️ New Bonus Episode Alert! 🎙️
Good morning, I'm thrilled to announce the release of our latest bonus episode of the Tech On Toast podcast with our partner Dojo. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of hospitality and discuss how businesses can fuel their growth through innovative and accessible technology.
🔍 Our guests for this episode are Ryan Jacovides, Director at F1® Arcade Arcade & PASTURE, and Cassandra Coulton, Senior Insight Manager at Dojo, a payments provider dedicated to empowering businesses in their growth journey. Cass shares valuable insights from her extensive research on the industry, providing actionable takeaways for businesses looking to thrive in the post-pandemic era.
🌟 Here are three key takeaways from this episode:
1️⃣ Resilience in the Hospitality Industry: Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, the hospitality industry has shown remarkable resilience. Cass highlights that the industry has been leading the way in the post-pandemic recovery, with significant growth in revenue. This is a testament to the industry's ability to adapt and innovate.
2️⃣ The Importance of the Customer Experience: Ryan, drawing on his extensive experience in the hospitality sector, emphasises the significance of delivering exceptional customer experiences. He shares how businesses can differentiate themselves by focusing on the quality of service, maintaining a core team, and creating a welcoming environment. Repeat visits from satisfied customers are the ultimate measure of success.
3️⃣ Streamlining Operations with Technology: Cass discusses the operational challenges faced by businesses in the hospitality industry, such as long wait times for orders, payments, and other services. She highlights the importance of integrating technology solutions, such as Dojo Pocket, which can enhance operational efficiency and improve the overall customer experience. By automating processes and reducing wait times, businesses can create a seamless and enjoyable experience for their customers.
💡 These insights provide valuable guidance for businesses in the hospitality industry as they navigate the path to growth. By embracing resilience, prioritising the customer experience, and leveraging technology, businesses can position themselves for success in the evolving market.
🔗 To listen to the full episode and gain more insights, click here. 👇
https://lnkd.in/ew8NcFXD
🙌 A big thank you to our guests and our friends at Dojo for their valuable contributions to this episode. Stay tuned for more exciting episodes in our Focus series, where we explore innovative strategies for business growth.
We will be back next week with our podcast and look forward to more bonus episodes to come!!
#TechOnToastPodcast #HospitalityIndustry #BusinessGrowth #CustomerExperience #TechnologyInnovation

Hey there, Tech On Toasters! 🍞 In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Conor Sheridan, the entrepreneurial spirit behind Nory, and boy, did we cook up a storm of insights! 🚀

We kicked things off with a warm welcome and a quick reminder that our community at techontoast.community is your go-to spot for all things hospitality tech. 🌐

Then, we dove straight into the meat of the conversation with Conor. He shared his journey from the high-stakes world of finance to the creation of Mad Egg, in their own words "The best damn chicken you have ever tasted, surrounded by some good vibes and banging tunes! "🐔💼

It's not every day you swap spreadsheets for service, but Conor did just that and with a side of success!

We got the lowdown on how Mad Egg cracked the code to impressive EBITDA margins (20% is the magic number, folks!), and Conor spilled the beans on how tech played a pivotal role in that success. 📈

But wait, there's more! Conor gave us the inside scoop on Nory, the AI-powered operating system that's shaking up the hospitality scene. 🤖 From demand prediction to smart procurement, Nory is like having a crystal ball for your restaurant's operations.

We also touched on the challenges of scaling up, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and how Nory is helping businesses of all sizes stay on top of their game. 🌟

And because we love a good cliffhanger, we wrapped up with a peek into Nory's plans, including a tantalising mention of a capital product for lending. 💸

So, whether you're a hospitality newbie or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with golden nuggets that you won't want to miss. Tune in, get inspired, and let's raise a toast to tech that's transforming the hospitality industry! 🥂

Until next time, keep your tech tasty and your insights fresh with Tech On Toast! 🎙️👋

Simplifying Hospitality Tech with GuestChat CEO Nima AnvarIn this episode of Tech On Toast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nima Anvar, the CEO of GuestChat, a company revolutionising the way hotels interact with potential guests online. Nima shared his unlikely journey from a science background to hospitality, eventually leading to the creation of GuestChat.Key Takeaways:Nima's Background: Nima's transition from the California Department of Health Services to managing hotels in Grenada provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the hospitality industry.The Birth of GuestChat: Frustrated with the challenges of managing staff and wanting to leverage his love for technology, Nima founded GuestChat to improve guest communication before their stay.GuestChat's Functionality: The service operates on hotel websites, answering potential guests' questions 24/7, 365 days a year. It uses advanced chatbot technology, including ChatGPT integration, to provide smooth, context-aware conversations.Impact on Hotels: GuestChat helps hotels capture potential bookings by engaging with website visitors who might otherwise leave due to unanswered questions. It also saves staff time by handling repetitive inquiries.Future of Guest Communications: Nima anticipates further advancements in guest communication, including audio and video chat capabilities, and emphasises the need for hotels to be present wherever guests wish to communicate.Ideal Customers: While GuestChat is beneficial for any size property, it is particularly valuable for larger hotels with significant website traffic.Customer Feedback: Hoteliers are embracing GuestChat, especially with the integration of GPT technology, which has significantly improved the quality of interactions.The Value Proposition: GuestChat offers an affordable and impactful solution that opens up a communication channel on hotel websites, potentially increasing bookings and enhancing the customer experience.Our conversation with Nima highlighted the importance of adapting to consumer expectations and the evolving landscape of guest communications. GuestChat stands out as a tool that not only saves time for hotel staff but also directly contributes to sales by engaging with potential guests at a critical point in their booking journey. For hoteliers looking to optimise their online presence and capture more bookings, GuestChat is certainly worth considering.

Another week, another dip into the ocean of tech from the Tech On Toast podcast! 🎙️

In our latest episode, we had the privilege of hosting Andrew Evers, Group Director of IT at Rocco Forte Hotels. Andrew brought his extensive experience in the hospitality technology sector to the table, and the conversation, as always with hospitality professionals, was centred around the guest.

Here's a quick recap of the key discussion points:

1️⃣ The Role of Technology in Hospitality: Andrew emphasised that technology should seamlessly integrate with the overall guest experience rather than being a separate entity. He highlighted the pivotal role of the Property Management System (PMS) in hotel operations and its connection with various departments.

2️⃣ Guest Experience and Technology: We delved into how technology should elevate the guest experience, providing services that go beyond what guests can get at home. Andrew shared that luxury hotels aim to offer top-tier services, such as high-grade Wi-Fi, to exceed guest expectations.

3️⃣ Challenges and Opportunities: Andrew provided insights into the challenges of implementing new technology in a live hotel environment and stressed the importance of a proof of concept. He also discussed the opportunities that technology brings to streamline operations and enhance guest services.

4️⃣ Data and Personalisation: The conversation covered the responsible use of guest data to create personalised experiences, ensuring guests feel valued with their preferences remembered and catered to.

5️⃣ Loyalty and Guest Retention: Andrew emphasised that loyalty is something earned, not given. He highlighted the importance of technology supporting genuine human connections and memorable experiences to encourage guest retention.

6️⃣ Advice for Tech Implementation: For those embarking on a tech journey, Andrew advised involving representatives from tech, user experience, finance, and guest services from day one. This approach ensures a well-rounded decision-making process.

We enjoyed meeting Andrew and would love to chat with more of the senior leaders in hotels to broaden our message of creating seamless and memorable guest experiences through the support of hospitality technology.

You can tune in here 👇

The Tech on Toast podcast is brought to you by Redcat, The Hospitality IT platfrom that enables you to manage multiple sites across POS, Online Ordering, Loyalty Apps, Kitchen Management, and Virtual Brands with a single system.

Join us for more exciting insights on the next episode of the Tech On Toast podcast, and don't forget to explore our community at techontoast.community for additional resources and upcoming events. Stay tuned for more tech and hospitality brilliance! 🌟 #TechOnToast #HospitalityTech #GuestExperience #TechImplementation #HospitalityInnovation