The Secret Recipe
/Have you ever made a New Year's Resolution, and then actually stuck with it for 6 years? Surprisingly, we have. Kind of.
This blog post was originally published by Sixthman Founder & Chairman, Andy Levine, in May, 2011. The concept of 'Special' is something we identified and embraced when Sixthman first started growing and doing multiple events per year. We actually STILL stick to this list when planning each and every cruise, and hopefully you can think of examples of where you've seen this concept at work during your time at sea with us.
Enjoy reading (or re-reading) the 'secret recipe,' and may your next Sixthman vacation be slathered in Special Sauce.
~jen
Special Sauce
A few years ago when we were presented with the opportunity to take on more cruises, I noticed some hesitation from a few members of the Sixthman team.
I sensed uncertainty, and as a leader I believe the best thing you can do is sniff it out and figure out a way to make it certain one way or the other.
When I asked one particular person what she was afraid of, she said, “I just want it to stay special.” As I dug in with other people, that seemed to be the biggest concern.
So we got a small group of us together to talk about what “Special” means.
The conversation was about vacations and parties we had attended in our lives, and cool elements we observed that made the event memorable. In less than an hour we identified seven checkpoints that must be present for us to be able to deliver Special on a larger scale. As long as we could do well in these areas, we could grow as much as we wanted.
So here they are…
Invite
We want you to feel genuinely invited. Until we can get the artist to knock on your door and say “I’m throwing a party on a boat, would you like to go?” we intend to find creative, tangible ways to connect with you and invite you authentically. E-mail alone is not acceptable.Inform
There are lots of questions to be answered when it comes to planning a vacation, especially one as unique as ours. Our goal is to provide you with all the information you need at your fingertips. What to wear? When to arrive? What documentation to bring? What’s included? Do I have to be able to swim? How to behave if you end up in an elevator with your favorite artist? Along the way we want the “Cruise to Start Now” by engaging you online and offline to introduce you to artists, other guests and our staff.Excite
Life goes on after you book your vacation and sometimes there are months between the time you reserve your cabin and when we actually pull away from the dock. About 45 days prior to sailing, we want to remind you that life is about to get better and it’s time to focus on what lies ahead. Ideally an item arrives in your mailbox or inbox (or both), but it says it’s time to put your shades on because the future is about to get bright!Welcome
As soon as you walk on the ship, we make sure that Sixthman is there to greet you with a smile and a high five so you know we have been expecting you, and are so glad you could make it.Look After
Our goal on board is to be everywhere you turn. If you need a guide, we’ll be there. If you’re lost, confused or frustrated, our team is committed to getting you back on track. Maybe you need help making a memorable proposal to your future wife or wonder why artists prefer to not have flash photography while they are performing or need us to make something right because we didn’t deliver what we promised. We’re always looking for ways to take care of you.Amaze
Everyone has his or her own perfect moment on board and we‘re here to set the stage so it can happen. It might be under the stars at night watching a show, or enjoying an afternoon concert by the pool while enjoying a cold beverage with your feet dangling in the water. Whatever it is, we want you to have that moment where you say to yourself “I am where I need to be, with who I need to be with, doing what I need to be doing”.Appreciate
At the end of the cruise, we are flattered that you trusted us with your vacation and are grateful that you chose to spend your time and money with us. As you walk off the ship, we believe it’s important for you to know that! Maybe it’s a “Bye Five” or a voicemail from an artist that evening or something in the mail the next week that simply says “We appreciate you being with us.”So here is what we are shooting for…hold us to it!
-Andy