leadership dot #2051: sleep over

Businesses are always seeking ways to drive traffic and our local Chick-fil-A has hit upon an ingenious way to do so. Tonight is the Stuffed Animal Sleepover – a concocted event where children bring in their stuffed animals this evening (accompanied by their family, of course – and since we’re there, why not eat dinner) – and then come in the morning to pick up their stuffed friends (lo and behold, Chick-fil-A also serves breakfast!).

Children are encouraged to come in their pajamas, the Chick-fil-A Cow will be on hand and overall I expect it to be a madhouse. All for essentially no cost to the restaurant. I am sure that in the morning the staff will make up stories about the “adventures” the stuffed friends had and it will be a win-win for all involved.

Think about how you can model this promotion in your organization. Is there something that you can do to pique interest in visiting your business: providing a behind-the-scenes tour, a bank offering to put coins in the special vault for the night, having a scavenger hunt in a store or taking photos in a special place or with a mascot?

With the right idea, it doesn’t take much money to generate great interest.