Ever wonder why your revenue meetings sometimes feel like group therapy, a TED Talk, and a United Nations summit rolled into one?
It’s not just the KPIs. It’s the cultural cocktail behind your revenue manager’s brain.
Let’s take a little world tour, shall we?
The German RM
Forecasts are submitted 8 days early. Pickup analysis is color-coded (with preferential colors being black and white), cross-referenced, and peer-reviewed. Deviation from the plan? Unthinkable. The rate strategy is organized like the autobahn: efficient, fast-moving, and God help you if you change lanes without signaling.
Accuracy: 99.8%. Flexibility: Like a steel beam.
The Italian RM
“Yes, yes, I know the system says close to arrival… but Maria is coming back from Milan with her boyfriend, so we’ll make an exception, no?”
Forecasting with flair, improvising like a jazz musician. The report may be late, but it arrives with charm, espresso, and a few emoji.
Accuracy: Mamma mia. Charisma: Off the charts.
The British RM
Polite spreadsheets. Apologizes to you before raising rates. Everything’s “quite alright” until RevPAR drops, then it’s “rather concerning.” Will absolutely destroy you with passive-aggressive professionalism in an email cc’d to six VPs.
Accuracy: Steady as she goes. Drama level: Low, but deadly.
The French RM
Everything is questioned. The system, the process, the need for that meeting at 9am. “Why do we need a strategy when we have instinct?” Disdain for budget templates, but will defend a 1€ rate increase with Napoleonic conviction.
Creativity: 10/10 Willingness to compromise: Non.
The Japanese RM
Forecasts so precise they account for weather patterns and moon phases. Every number is checked three times. Every deviation is taken personally. Rate strategy is a sacred art, not to be adjusted without ceremonial approval.
Accuracy: Surgical. Flexibility: If you explain very respectfully, maybe.
The Brazilian RM
Spreadsheet chaos until the last minute … then pure magic. Forecasting is ok if direcetional we are there somehow. Adjusting rates back and forth – why? Well, I changed my mind, ok no?!? No idea how they do it. But somehow, they do. Favorite motto: “jeitinho brasileiro” (try being married to one lol AWESOME!!!)
If zee german RM is black and white, the brazilian RM if 50 shades of grey with sparkles of colored rainbow dust mixed in
The Indian RM
Will build an entire forecast model in Excel with zero macros, six nested formulas, and no fear. Every number comes with a story. Every channel strategy comes with a backup plan, and another backup for that. Always working. Always WhatsApping. Who needs tools when you have me, the RM – the 2025 version of MacGyver!
Accuracy: Solid. Hustle: Legendary.
Bottom Line?
Your RM’s cultural background absolutely influences how they think, plan, and price.
But you know what matters more?
Curiosity. Communication. And a willingness to learn from each other.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about where you’re from, it’s about how well you play as a team.
Love, Fabi
