Tweet

Entrepreneurs - What Can You Learn From Dolly Parton?

Written by:

Article Overview: Dolly Parton is an extremely well known and very recognizable business women. She has built an international multi dollar business from her great singing voice. What can we learn from the way she does business? Well let's have a look at the Dolly Parton Dinner Show experience and my visit there one Christmas.

Entrepreneurs - What Can You Learn From Dolly Parton?

First of all thought that it was a little expensive, but had been before so I knew what great value it was. When I entered the massive building I was immediately immersed in the Dolly Parton experience and funneled through to get my photo taken. No mention that it would cost me $10 to buy the photo (no sale by the way!).

The funnel then took us through the gift shop into the saloon where we were entertained whilst drinking very expensive beers or wine.

Lastly we were called into the show and there was one server for every 6- 8 people. Food was superb and served quickly during several natural breaks in the show. We were also given several choices of drinks to suit all. Flags and goblets were offered for sale.

So what can we learn from this.

* Dolly builds on her brand image of "Southern Hospitality", quality and friendliness. Dolly only appeared on screen for a very short thank you and Happy Holidays and little of her music was played – but you still felt as if you had been invited by Dolly.

* She extracts the highest amount of money possible as an entrance fee, relying on the reputation of her company to ensure that people will pay. (There are several other lesser dinner shows and thousands of restaurants competing.)

* She ensures that the customer is totally immersed in the experience and offered every opportunity to have a pleasant experience.

* The customer is funneled through several opportunities to spend more money without feeling pressured to purchase more. I am sure that the many visitors to the dinner show who were on vacation purchased more that the "locals" who are a little more financially constrained.
We can translate this into business terms and learn from the experts:

* Ensure that your company and what it stands for is instantly recognizable and that it makes visitors and potential purchasers comfortable with dealing with you .

* Ensure that the customer's total visiting and buying experience is pleasant, efficient and comfortable and that everything reflects your company image.

* Think of everything that your customer could possibly want to do on your web site, in your shop, in your office or on the end of your telephone line – and make it happen.

* Make sure that your visitor has every opportunity to spend money with you - whilst not feeling pressured. Offer little up sales such as Dolly's flags, souvenir mugs etc.

* Make that buying a pleasure by entertaining your visitors, making them feel special or important to you.

* Make some of the extras at a low price to help everyone.

* Ensure that many of the items have your logo on them -especially the lower price items. This ensures that everyone sees where they were bought from as well as spreading your brand.

* Make sure that visiting your store or site and purchasing is an efficient, comfortable and quick experience. No waiting in long lines, no insecure payment areas, no waiting to get the product or service and definitely no surprising extra costs as you get to the check out counter

Good Luck.

Related Articles
  Entrepreneurs – What Can You Learn From Dolly About Managing Your Customers?
  Staging Diva Graduate helps home sell at first open house
  The Dolly Parton Business Model
  Dolly Parton
  Don’t Allow the D’s in Your Life to Defeat You

Article Tags: amount of money, beers, brand image, business terms, choices, dinner show, dolly parton, drinks, entrance fee, flags, friendliness, funnel, gift shop, goblets, happy holidays, locals, natural breaks, reputation, southern hospitality, wine



Related Forum Posts
CEOs and Email - Slaves? - I wonder if the emails they are responding to are filtered thru their assistants first 'cos they seem to spend a lot of their off hours responding to them. True they are successful but I'm not sure I'd be willing to pay that price. I'd be interested to know what's the in the typical day planner of Entrepreneurs on the Forum. Entrepreneurs are a different breed than Paid Employees- so it would be interesting to view the contrast.
Lisa Shepherd Story - Great story! I love the Earn - Learn - Equity - it's very relavent for new entrepreneurs.
Hello from Newbie - Hi everyone: I am newbie and a freelance bookkeeping & accounting entrepreneur. Hope I enjoy my time here. Will Learn from you and share my thoughts and ideas with you.
Fundraising for 3rd world Entrepreneurs - How great to learn that Evan is doing something for Entrepreneurs in Africa! It just makes me even more thankful to be part of this forum! After helping create a new charity for animals in my local community last year, I created a vision for a charity empowering Women Entrepreneurs. It won't happen for a while yet, but I know it is something I will do within the next few years. As we allow ourselves to think bigger, the opportunity to impact people becomes much bigger as well. Does anyone else have a desire to really make a difference in the world through this means?
Re: Do you have to have your own business in order to - Good for you, and remember that education is never wasted. So the more you learn the better off you will be and the less chance you will have of being ripped off by anyone. Learn all you can about patenting and marketing your product and you will be sure to succeed. MichelleJ


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Online Business Ideas: A Look At Various Options

Listen to Your Inner Melody

You Have A Website What Now

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.