Navigating Hard Times – Seeds of Success Podcast (Ep. 89)

In a recent episode of the Seeds of Success podcast, hosts Dottie San Martin and Orly Rivera focus on the importance of evaluating events, promotions, and programs within bowling centers and similar facilities. The discussion is centered on how operators can use data, feedback, and structured reviews to better understand performance and make informed decisions.

The episode opens with a reflection on seasonal and special events that take place throughout the year. While many managers feel excited when an event appears successful, it is common for operators to move on without fully reviewing the results. They stress that simply labeling an event as “successful” is not enough without reviewing measurable outcomes.

Dottie explains the importance of pulling reports from the center’s operating system after each event. These reports should include food and beverage sales, bar performance, and participation numbers. Reviewing these figures consistently in order to understand which parts of an event performed well and which did not.

A key concept discussed is the use of an “after-actions report.” This report includes details prepared before the event, such as planning steps and vendors used, followed by a post-event review. In this review, bowling operators document what went well and what could have been done better. The goal is to use this information when planning future events rather than repeating the same approach without adjustment.

Orly raises the issue of promotions that seem like strong ideas but do not perform as expected. The hosts agree that new initiatives may take time to gain traction, but they also emphasize the need to establish a baseline before launching an event. By comparing results over time, operators can decide whether to continue, adjust, or discontinue a program.

This episode also highlights the value of feedback. The hosts encourage operators to ask participants what they enjoyed and what motivated them to attend. They also recommend gathering input from staff members, including kitchen and service teams, who may identify inefficiencies or unnecessary costs related to inventory and operations.

As the conversation continues, the focus expands beyond events to include menus, birthday party packages, leagues, and recurring programs. The hosts explain that reviewing sales trends over time can help determine whether these offerings are increasing or decreasing in performance. Items or programs that sell poorly should be reconsidered.

The episode concludes with a reminder that evaluation should be a regular practice. By reviewing numbers, collecting feedback, and documenting results, operators can make clearer decisions about what to stop, what to start, and what to sustain within their facilities.

Listen to the full podcast episode, “Navigating Hard Times,” on the Seeds of Success Podcast (Ep. 89) here:

Seeds of Success Podcast

Take a break and soak in some best practices, tips, tricks and keep your mind focused on the task at hand. We will plant the seed and you can watch it grow. Nuggets of knowledge to help you be as successful as possible. Grow your business, one seed at a time.

Go to Podcast