Here is another example of how you as a small business can be ahead of the big competitors and it is happening to me right now.

I currently sit in the lobby of the hotel in Miami that am spending the next few nights at, waiting for their computers get come back up. That's right, there computers are down and they cannot do a thing. I am one of at least 5 parties waiting to check in and get to our rooms. Plus, I have a presentation I have to present on Saturday about bringing in businesses to community partnerships for Railvolution, and every moment counts.

The hotel is totally paralyzed because they no longer have the capability to do anything without their computers. Now what if it was your hotel? Would you have a manual back up system in place in case something went wrong with your computers? If you do own a lodging place and you don't have the capability to do things manually, I would highly recommend that you find a way.

Everything you do that improves service to your customers is another battle in the war against your bigger competition.