With increased public interest in accountability and transparency by the private sector, many hospitality programs and technical colleges have realized the need for qualified environmental engineers and sustainable management professionals in the hospitality industry. In this article I will highlight a few of the driving forces behind the formation of company - university partnerships and why some of these programs would be helpful in training your team. READ MORE

The most hotly contested yet least publicized piece of President Obama's agenda since taking office is the Employee Free Choice Act, the most notable provision of which is "card check." The Act proposes changes that will have dramatic effects on the nature and scope of collective bargaining, including that between hotel management and employees. Falling just nine votes shy of passing in 2007, the Democratic Parties' dominant performance in the 2008 elections seemed to all but assure the Act's passage. Today, however, the law remains unchanged. This article offers insight into what happened, and why hotel owners and managers should still be paying careful attention. READ MORE

Many hospitality employers may not be aware of the numerous state and federal  hiring-based tax incentive programs available to them and the benefits these can have on their bottom line. With the most current tax incentive programs in place, hospitality employers can receive an average of over $600 per new employee hired.  Over a three year period, including retroactive credits, this can easily add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars per location. Here are some best practices on implementing such programs, specifically the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, the Hire Now Tax Cut and the Enterprise Zone and Empowerment Zones programs. READ MORE

The economy is finally showing signs of recovery. And while that gives hoteliers good reason to be optimistic, it's still critical that they make smart technology purchases, choosing solutions that will help decrease costs (or at least keep them in line), streamline efficiency and enable the property to realize a competitive advantage. Some of the newest technology has a big 'wow' factor, but the return on investment may not justify the expense. Fortunately, there are exciting software selections that can help position your hotel for success and provide a fast ROI. Following are five technology purchases that can help your property stay ahead of the competition in 2011 and beyond. READ MORE

Each traveler seeks something unique from his or her hotel experience. For some, the goal is to find a home away from home; for others it's being treated to luxury and indulgence. Regardless of the objective, there are two mainstays of the traveler's expectations: convenience and service. That combination becomes even sweeter when its delivery increases efficiency in hotel operations. This is the opportunity that presents itself when we examine the integration of cashless small-ticket purchases through key card payments with property management system software - and how it can benefit your guests and your bottom line. READ MORE

Mounting evidence shows that the choice of venue and the physical facilities for learning can play a critical role in maximizing the success of a corporate learning program and/or training session's objectives. Research has found that if the environment is bad, then people will generally perceive the training to be bad, regardless of content. And with new forms of training such as multi-sensory learning, e-learning, hands-on lab settings and blended learning, there are sure to be additional adjustments and enhancements beyond current certification standards regarding quantifying meeting ROI. READ MORE

Whether the economy is in good shape or bad shape, Revenue Management is a tool, if used successfully, will drive increased sales and bottom line profits. Revenue Management is something everyone knows about but not everyone uses. While there is normally a cost to implementing this at your hotel, there is also an intuitive cost if you don't use it. Our desk clerks are not trained reservation agents and in most Property Management Systems these same desk clerks have the ability to make reservations at the front desk. Unfortunately, they also have the ability to by-pass revenue management strategies in that same system with very little difficulty. Why do we allow this to occur when the remedy is so easy... easy for the customer, easy for the desk clerk and easy for the top line as well as the bottom line. READ MORE

A web-based study of nearly 500 respondents conducted by two researchers at Cornell University compared three possibilities for presenting the service charge for a prix fixe meal, namely, as a percentage added to the meal price, as a dollar amount added to the meal price, and as an unknown amount obscured by inclusion in the full meal price. The researchers concluded that the respondents inferred a 15-percent service charge, when one was not specified. Thus, a stated percentage service charge over that amount was viewed as "expensive." Survey participants regarded the dollar-amount service charges similarly, but this format also may serve to obscure the service charge calculation. READ MORE

Hotel energy loads are going strong up to 24 hours per day, making the need to "green" energy loads a priority for hotel owners. A comprehensive, long-term energy strategy can cut energy consumption by up to 10 percent. Hotel executives can guide energy and money savings through a variety of ways, including investments in energy-saving devices, behavior modification, and participation in government grants and programs. In addition to all the federal incentive programs, most U.S. states have rebates and initiatives available. This article will touch upon why it is financially advantageous for hotel owners to work with their energy managers to reduce their energy consumption. READ MORE

Brands that engage in a true Voice of the Customer approach within their loyalty, engagement and customer experience initiatives will continue to increase their market share, profitability and brand equity. Voice of the Customer is more than a marketing program or branding initiative. It is a mindset that is ingrained in the culture of today's most successful brands. READ MORE

Owners looking to sell their business frequently make common mistakes by not: adequately preparing the business for sale; implementing a proper business valuation; finding the right business broker for their hotel; keeping an open mind about potential buyers; and following through after an offer has been made. As sellers often have to cope with competitive pressure in the marketplace, they have little margin for error. While good hotels can still command appropriate market value today, it's important to look at the details when selling your business. Avoiding these common mistakes will help increase your chances of getting the highest price for your hotel - in the shortest amount of time. READ MORE

This past tumultuous two year period has seen large and small banks come and go, regulations rise, consumer demand fall, hotels close, and the general public's acceptance of uncertainty about the future. While we are all reluctantly drinking the "new normal" kool-aid manufactured by Wall Street and politicians, commercial real estate developers need to consider the implications on financing. Financing from private sources is growing as new regulations affect institutional lenders so the landscape is changing. This article is a roadmap for successfully navigating the 2011 financing maze. READ MORE

Most folks believe that onboarding begins on the new employee's first day of employment and ends after the orientation to the department or job function. Actually, onboarding begins with their first contact with your organization and ends with their first year of employment. How you handle every step in this process―especially in the beginning―will make the difference between their becoming bonded to the organization or not, and that will determine you ability to engage and retain the new recruit. Find out how your handling of this critical time can make or break this important relationship and what you can start doing now to strengthen your onboarding process. READ MORE

The journey now starts with a search as travelers increasingly go online to identify a hotel that meets their needs, preferences and priorities. In fact, 93 million American adults are now using the Internet to plan travel. Are you providing a compelling experience online that will turn these lookers into bookers? New research suggests you'll want to entice them with a mix of rich visual media, customer ratings and reviews, and social media. By engaging travel shoppers where they search, speaking to them in a relevant way and vividly showing them what makes you special, you'll make your hotel their preferred destination. READ MORE

Customer frequency programs are commonplace in many industries and known by many names.customer relationship programs, reward programs, discount programs, loyalty programs, rebate programs, frequent traveler programs, ad infinitum. But no matter what the name, two things are clear. First, the common element is rewarding customers for their purchases. Second, consumers have come to expect to be given an award for their purchases. So whether it is an airline, a coffee shop, a bread shop, a shoe store, a supermarket, or a hotel, every time customers spend something, they are asking, not what they can do for you, but what you will do for them. So if your hotel does have a frequency plan, or if you is thinking about instituting one, make sure it follows the silver, gold, and platinum rules for any loyalty program. READ MORE