Computers have changed everything. From the way we do business to the way that we play, there is no part of our lives that has been left untouched by computers. That has been good in some ways and terrible in others, but for many, it has been a boon because it has reduced the cost of services that otherwise they could not afford. Online concierge service is just the latest innovation that brings the benefits of concierge service to the masses.
The Concierge
For anyone who has never stayed in an expensive hotel, the concierge is the department in a hotel that is dedicated to providing services for the guests of that hotel. These services may include getting tickets to sold out shows or reservations for tomorrow to the restaurant that has to be booked months in advance. Not every concierge is good enough to offer these types of superior service because as with anything in life, it is all about relationships. However, it doesn’t mean that the concierge cannot offer a suitable alternative.
The point is that the concierge has the local knowledge and connections that a guest of a hotel lacks. He or she puts this knowledge and these connections to work for the guest in the spirit of hospitality and in the hopes of getting a huge tip – or at least a tip commensurate with the effort put forth in acquiring the requested product or service.
The Revolution
The revolution will not be televised, but it may be tweeted or Facebooked and possibly emailed – though email is so 2005. Online concierge service is revolutionary. Think about all of the things that you as a tourist can do now that may not have been available before. There have been guide books that are invaluable to the traveler, but a guide book can’t get you reservations. It may or may not have information on the latest hotspot because of the delay in publishing but also because of the lack of space inherent in a book. A concierge service will have the latest and greatest in local knowledge, and now, that knowledge is available to anyone with an Internet connection.
In hospitals, concierge services are becoming increasingly available. A hospital concierge provides similar services to those of a hotel concierge, but serve patients and employees as well. This helps hospital employees who work long shifts, and helps to provide work-life balance.