In case this is our 1st time: I’m Fabian Bartnick aka Fabi – The Commercial Growth Leader. I help companies bridge data, marketing, sales, revenue management and communication to drive future-proof revenue. Each week, I share real stories and strategies you can use to grow faster and work smarter.

Let’s be real: if revenue management were a reality show, it would definitely be Squid Game, minus the violence, hopefully. But let’s break it down: the high-stakes drama, the tense moments, and the sense of “I swear this is going to ruin my entire month if I don’t get this right.”

🏁 Round 1: Red Light, Green Light aka Pricing vs. Occupancy

We’ve all been there: the forecast says one thing, but the market’s doing the opposite. You make a move (green light), but as soon as you try to adjust your rates, occupancy starts to tank (red light). Suddenly, you’re standing still, praying you don’t fall behind on your target.

Pro tip: Don’t try to sprint when the market’s paused. Analyze, adapt, and make calculated moves!

💣 Round 2: The Honeycomb Game aka Navigating Complicated Data

You think it’s a simple pricing puzzle… but then you have to carve out the perfect strategy from 20 different data sets. It’s like trying to carve out a perfect circle from a sugar honeycomb in 60 seconds, one wrong move, and the strategy cracks.

Pro tip: Stick to the fundamentals and don’t try to overcomplicate things with data that doesn’t matter right now.

I say it again: Don’t try to overcomplicate things with data that doesn’t matter right now.

🔪 Round 3: Tug of War aka Balancing Revenue vs. Costs

This is where things get real, you’re pulled between trying to drive top-line revenue and controlling costs. On one side, you have your hotel’s profitability, and on the other side, you’ve got your guest experience, operations, and F&B costs. One wrong move, and the whole strategy could collapse.

Pro tip: Don’t just focus on rates: optimize the entire guest experience. A balanced approach wins the war.

⚖️ Round 4: The Marble Game – Prioritizing Your KPIs

Everyone has their favorite KPIs: ADR, RevPAR, occupancy, and more. But which one do you prioritize? Choose the wrong one, and you might end up “losing your marbles” in a slow season or missing a key conversion opportunity. Just like in Squid Game, only one KPI can lead to your survival.

Pro tip: Know when to focus on quality (conversion) vs. quantity (occupancy)!

🏆 Final Round: The Squid Game – Managing Long-Term Profitability

This is where it all comes down to your final strategy: the one that requires full commitment. It’s not just about short-term wins (occupancy boost from a last-minute discount); it’s about positioning for long-term growth. Surviving this game means you’ve mastered demand forecasting, pricing strategies, and team alignment.

Pro tip: You don’t need to win every battle, but the war. A sustainable revenue model is what counts.

💥 The Real Prize?

The winner of Squid Game isn’t the one who discounts the most or chases last-minute bookings. It’s the one who has the perfect balance between supply, demand, pricing, and guest experience. Mastering this and aligning your team is how you avoid “elimination.”

So, keep playing smart, don’t get caught in the drama, and remember: your next revenue move should always be calculated.

Love, Fabi

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