#HTREST 2016: Technology, Convenience and Digital Diners
Brands are being forced to compete for stomach-share by offering customers the restaurant experience where, how and when they want. Customers want that experience – from ordering to delivery – to be as frictionless as possible. Case in point: In 2015 Fooji, Dominos and Aloft Hotels all began offering consumers the ability to order food or room service by texting or tweeting emojis of the food they wanted. Earlier this year, Dominos and 7-Eleven began delivering food via drone, following in the pioneering footsteps of many other restaurants.
The evolution of digital ordering has seen diner engagement advance from online to mobile device and is fast becoming ubiquitous as it finds its way to gaming systems, smart TVs, kiosks, smart cars and more. Marketing and IT must collaborate as operators need to create a digital strategy that not only enables relevant, personalized messaging but fosters increased speed and convenience of the entire experience.
The second day keynote at Hospitality Technology’s 2016 Restaurant Executive Summit (#HTREST) will discuss how restaurants must address the needs and wants of this new digital consumer. Todd Michaud, founder and CEO of Power Thinking Media will present, "Engaging the Digital Diner: Making the Experience the Power Play," in which he will identify the key attributes of "Customer 2.0" and offer a tactical roadmap for dealing with the barriers and risks inherent in this new engagement paradigm. Michaud will present real-world success stories, and will provide attendees with an actionable plan to show how "it can be done."
Power Thinking is a consultancy that helps restaurants improve sales by implementing a set of comprehensive strategies that span across marketing, technology and operations. Michaud is an innovation expert who challenges the antiquated philosophies and strategies used by restauranteurs by leveraging emerging technologies and an understanding of Customer 2.0 to achieve impressive results. He is a thought leader in customer experience management, data-driven marketing, mobile engagement strategies and next generation loyalty platforms.
Prior to founding Power Thinking Media in 2012, Michaud was the Vice President of Information Technology for FOCUS Brands and their portfolio of restaurant brands. With the ultimate goal of helping Franchise Partners improve their operations and marketing efforts through technology, Michaud lead the IT service delivery for FOCUS Brands as a whole, as well as each brand's retail technology solutions. Prior to joining FOCUS Brands, Michaud was Director of Retail Technology for Dunkin'Brands where he supported the technology platform for over 7,000 U.S.-based Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins locations.
The evolution of digital ordering has seen diner engagement advance from online to mobile device and is fast becoming ubiquitous as it finds its way to gaming systems, smart TVs, kiosks, smart cars and more. Marketing and IT must collaborate as operators need to create a digital strategy that not only enables relevant, personalized messaging but fosters increased speed and convenience of the entire experience.
The second day keynote at Hospitality Technology’s 2016 Restaurant Executive Summit (#HTREST) will discuss how restaurants must address the needs and wants of this new digital consumer. Todd Michaud, founder and CEO of Power Thinking Media will present, "Engaging the Digital Diner: Making the Experience the Power Play," in which he will identify the key attributes of "Customer 2.0" and offer a tactical roadmap for dealing with the barriers and risks inherent in this new engagement paradigm. Michaud will present real-world success stories, and will provide attendees with an actionable plan to show how "it can be done."
Power Thinking is a consultancy that helps restaurants improve sales by implementing a set of comprehensive strategies that span across marketing, technology and operations. Michaud is an innovation expert who challenges the antiquated philosophies and strategies used by restauranteurs by leveraging emerging technologies and an understanding of Customer 2.0 to achieve impressive results. He is a thought leader in customer experience management, data-driven marketing, mobile engagement strategies and next generation loyalty platforms.
Prior to founding Power Thinking Media in 2012, Michaud was the Vice President of Information Technology for FOCUS Brands and their portfolio of restaurant brands. With the ultimate goal of helping Franchise Partners improve their operations and marketing efforts through technology, Michaud lead the IT service delivery for FOCUS Brands as a whole, as well as each brand's retail technology solutions. Prior to joining FOCUS Brands, Michaud was Director of Retail Technology for Dunkin'Brands where he supported the technology platform for over 7,000 U.S.-based Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins locations.