In working with national lodging chains, I know that improving energy efficiency has long been a focus of the industry. Efforts have included simple measures, such as reminding guests to turn off lights, to more complex efforts, such as installing high-tech energy management systems and innovative heating and cooling systems. These efficiency actions have paid off in greater profitability. Energy typically accounts for three to five percent of a hotel's total operating expenses. The money saved through energy-efficiency has created more money to spend on guest amenities, on staff salary increases, or on other vital areas. What you may not know is that your energy-efficiency actions, and those by other businesses and consumers across the country, are part of the reason why the nation's air quality has been improving. A new report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that overall air emissions nationwide have dropped by more than 50 percent since the Clean Air Act was adopted in 1970. READ MORE

The passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, signed into law by President Bush last December, will help to improve the nation's energy efficiency. Perhaps its most noteworthy feature is that it will boost the average fuel economy standards for automobiles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 - the first increase in fuel economy standards for automobiles since they were enacted in 1975. The new energy law will make all energy consumers more energy efficient. The law increases energy efficiency requirements for a wide variety of appliances and equipment. Notably, the new energy law requires that general service incandescent light bulbs use about 20 - 30 percent less electricity by 2014, effectively phasing out the least efficient incandescent light bulbs. READ MORE

The newly signed National Energy Policy Energy Policy Act of 2005 gives the country the foundation for a more secure, reliable and affordable energy future. Importantly for the nation's hotel industry, the new law also presents the potential for greater profitability, thanks to its promotion and support of energy efficiency. READ MORE

A business buzzword at the moment is sustainability-or operating with concern for the planet's natural resources, so that future generations will be able to meet their needs. As interest in sustainability grows, so too does the importance of using energy more efficiently. Getting more use from every dollar you spend on energy will help to lower the nation's greenhouse gas emissions and improve its air quality. It will, of course, also create significant opportunity for saving money. READ MORE

We all know the Internet has changed the way people consume media. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would dispute this. But lately, the conversation has evolved to include Web 2.0 - a second-generation of Internet-based services that let people collaborate and share information online in new ways. But to understand the true value of this shift, let's talk about Consumer 2.0 - at the heart of Web 2.0. READ MORE

The corporate teams that are overdependent on research averages often see their marketing fail at a spectacular rate. Their new product introductions seem caught in a revolving door -- what's in and what's out based on "researched" hypotheses that have little to do with actual market behavior. Interest in surveys that purport to identify averages and norms is so great that the myths this type of research spawns are sometimes floated as sophisticated branding and marketing strategies. READ MORE

Giving consumers the tools for aerial scanning and three-dimensional mapping of the world -- allowing them to fly by their neighborhoods or make a detailed inspection of far away places -- is radical. Air Google makes it possible to inspect hotels and vacation destinations, conduct market research, spy, carry out competitive surveillance, hunt for a job, trade property, study ecologies, jog trails and fish streams, among at least a million other things -- virtually. Silicon Valley's current enfants terrible - Google's brilliant duo -- have given the global populace wings to soar over towns and cities, and the flights include everything except peanuts. Fasten your seat belts. READ MORE

We are being forced to re-design to a new level of "micro-nization" of business units, a "wireless-izing" of mass communication and a "voip-izing" of populace conversations in marketplaces, under a massive globalization with highly localized customization to fit the demands of consumers. This subject is very hot and research on these issues is still being drafted. READ MORE

Now a new routine emerges as savvy marketers enjoy Cyber-Branding using Network Solution's latest offer of $1000 USD to secure a domain name for an entire century. Wow, it's a bargain of the century...it's only 3 cents per day. Right now, it's the cheapest license in the world, providing the registration rights to your URL, the only gateway to your websites and the only key to your cyber-branding in this global e-commerce. Right now, the global cyber-branding is the only game in town when it comes to global marketing. Is there a catch? Yes, right here. If you are only spending only three pennies a day on a URL but thousands on promotional branding each day, then the question is; how good is your domain name? How does it fit your marketing and PR strategy? How is it building your corporate image? Do you really know where you will end up on this long 100-year journey? Is there a plan, or just blind chasing blind? Is your team mentally prepared for this long marathon? In short, it shouldn't be a wild goose chase, rather a proper road map. READ MORE

Most corporations, when giving birth to a new product, behave just like parents jumping in frenzy in a maternity ward. This typical hysterical hoopla of the incubation wing is often replaced by a subtler, cubicle behavior and at times becomes a subdued Dilbertish style revolution. Objects do fly, even though they are memos or sometimes, sharp yet harmless, foamy projectiles. Everyone shares the excitement and all fights are well intentioned. Everyone wants a successful launch. There is always a good feeling and everyone is happy. READ MORE

The Western economies realized decades ago that small and medium enterprises are really the main drivers of the economy. While big businesses are necessary to preserve and maintain structure within the economy, surely they have considerable problems of their own. Mega corporations of the earlier era have increasingly lost their edge to smaller, nimbler organizations, which have spouted all over the Western landscape. The Middle East is now a new turning point for SME's to begin a grassroots revolution. READ MORE

Maintaining a profitable and successful hotel can be difficult but rewarding. The hard work and attention to detail that are essential to creating a desirable and competitive hotel can be overwhelming, so much so that some hotel operators often disregard one of their best investment options for achieving wealth and financial success. By investing in the ownership of the commercial property, in addition to operating the hotel on which the property is housed, hoteliers can reach their ultimate financial potential and enjoy a more lavish and secure lifestyle. The following tips can take some of the stress out of buying and owning commercial real estate. READ MORE

The more resourceful and well connected the concierge is, the more efficiently they work. A novice concierge who has no connections may take two or three times longer than the seasoned concierge to satisfy guests' requests. The rewards of supporting your Concierges' participation in networking events, locally, nationally and internationally, will not only benfit your guests and staff far into the future, it will positively affect your bottom line. READ MORE

Understand that when a guest needs a babysitter, limousine, audio visual equipment, massage or other ancillary service, the request is usually made of the Concierge. After all, in most guest service directories you will find a lengthy list of services provided by the Concierge. Often, guests view these services as hotel services, rather than a service provided by an outside vendor. Each vendor's timely, professional and seamless delivery of these services is critical to the guests lasting impression of their hotel experience. READ MORE

My daughters enjoy playing soccer and I enjoy coaching them. My oldest daughter not only scores goals but she is a goalkeeper as well, she understands the game and is a leader. My younger daughter scores goals too, understands how the game is played, and plays to win. As a soccer coach my job is to prepare my daughters, and the rest of the team, for the spring soccer season so when they step on to the field, win or lose, they are able to compete. In putting together my "game plan" for our first practice, just weeks away, I decided to highlight my 5 simple steps to becoming a great goalkeeper. While working on the practice plan it was clear to me that the principles were also applicable to the work I do in the hospitality industry so I decided to modify them so I could share them. 5 simple steps to cut costs and attract more families to your property - is your marketing team prepared to take them? READ MORE