Rock Beats Scissors. Paper Beats Rock. Group Software Beats Paper.

Why It’s Time to Retire the Party Book for Group Scheduling

Last week we talked about pen and paper employee scheduling vs. an integrated time clock and scheduling solution.  Most folks we talk to are pretty happy to get rid of their old manual process for scheduling and managing their employees, readily seeing the benefits in time, efficiency, communications and reliability.

The Problem With Relying on the Party Book

So why is it so difficult to give up the party book – that beaten-up binder with the large red letters threatening all manner of horrible things to the soul foolish enough to misplace it?

Paper vs. Software: Flexibility vs. Structure

Now I will be the first to admit that you will not find a software package that has the flexibility of paper – you can do anything you want with a pencil, but software requires you to be more structured and consistent.

On the surface this often appears to be a less important aspect of an integrated facilities management system. For example, it is easy to see the benefits of a good Point of Sale Application over a cash register, but very often we hear “our book system works just fine” when it comes to scheduling birthday parties and groups.

The Advantages of Integrated Group Scheduling Software

If this sounds like you, I would encourage you not to underestimate the operational advantages you can gain moving to an integrated, data-driven group scheduling software system.  More than just a calendar, good scheduling packages will:

• Integrate with your point of sales system
• Manage deposits, print tickets
• Handle area capacity limits.
• Interface with time clock and employee scheduling
• Ensure parties are appropriately staffed
• Allow for open tickets to encourage upselling
• Distribute gratuities fairly
• Provide robust reporting with insights on revenue, labor, capacity, and more

Your paper book simply can’t provide these tools.

Learning From the Horse and Buggy Mindset

Where we live there used to be a good number of Amish folks nearby.  I would often hear them speak about how well their horse and buggies worked – how they were comfortable with them and happy to just let good enough be good enough.  I also noticed that when they really wanted to get somewhere, they hired someone who drove a car.

Are You Ready to Upgrade Your System?

Are you ready to get out of the buggy?  Schedule a demo today and let us show you how.