As the financial markets, banks and businesses adjust and even reinvent themselves in response to the meltdown of 2008, there seems little doubt that corporate travel departments, conference planners and individual business travelers will take a hard look at their travel needs. There may not be any less business travel, and there could even be a greater demand, given the increasingly globalized business community and the need for organizations and institutions to put their houses in order. But, what is certain is that value for money spent will be the very highest priority in making travel decisions. There are two other new realities, however, that also affect how we meet the needs and expectations of corporate or conference guests. READ MORE

International expansion is fast becoming a priority for companies of every size. The decision to extend operations beyond domestic borders is not without challenges, but the potential payoffs are enormous. Factors include intense competition, a desire to reduce dependence on a single market and its economy, and the customer demand for a reassuring brand presence in markets they travel to. Whatever the motivation for international expansion, there are a number of key practices that all organizations should observe to successfully enter a market. READ MORE

There are two ways of dealing with a severe economic downturn. One is to withdraw - pull back and wait it out. That's the "let's hope and pray" approach. The other is to view the circumstances as opportunity - not to simply forge ahead doing what we've done in the past but the chance to find creative solutions to new realities while remaining realistic about the bottom line. READ MORE

Fail to look after your people, be they staff or customers, and you won't be around for long - whether you're selling shoes, diamond watches or burgers. In the hospitality industry duty of care, at a premium standard, for both staff and guests is what makes the difference between a good hotel and a great one. It is certainly true that the hotel business certainly has to go a step further when it comes to its 'people'. If anything, the emphasis on getting your employment and retention policies 'righter' than the rest is even more marked and important. Hotels are in a pretty unique position in that what they provide for customers in terms of experience is 100% in the hands of the team on the ground. And since you are running a 24-hour operation, it means genuine consistency of service is required throughout each guest's stay. READ MORE

Whilst we are living in unprecedented times there is no reason why the basic precepts of good marketing practice should suddenly be removed and replaced by knee-jerk reactions and cost-cutting. Indeed the opposite is true - never has it been more important to be faithful to your brand's promise. Now is the time to remember what makes marketing work effectively and, even more importantly in the current climate, efficiently. Maintaining your marketing activity and budget, whilst ensuring it is working as hard as possible, will be vital to negotiating your way through this recession and in ensuring you are in a strong position when we come out of it. READ MORE