This discussion suggests the formalization of human resource metrics in a lodging property as an effort to optimize decisions, cut costs and support the goal of the hotel's leadership. Many of the larger lodging operations, brands etc. have already adopted and implemented some of these metrics and processes in human resources. However, there are smaller properties without corporate assistance that will need to align their human resource processes in accordance with defined metrics to better compete for the highest quality candidates. READ MORE

It started as a favor: a local politician looking to help a constituent find a job. As Steve Wynn's HR guy, I was responsible for hiring lots of people and told him I had some ideas: try this guy out as a laborer and see how it works out. The referral turned out to be a gang-banger wanting to go straight: but his buffed up physique, tats and missing-eye-without-an-eye-patch were intimidating. Fortunately he was more soft-spoken than gruff, and definitely sincere. I took him to meet a hiring manager who over-reacted a bit when he first saw him, but like me, decided to give it a try after hearing his story. Moral of this story: don't judge a book by its cover when thinking about giving someone a second chance. READ MORE

Even though it's been almost 18 months since the U.S. migrated to EMV smart-chip based payment technology, many businesses - for various reasons - are still hesitant to get on board. Many hotel property management system products don't support EMV acceptance, even though almost 80 percent of credit cards are now issued with smart chips. In fact, credit card issuers prioritized which cards were issued with chips first, which included high-limit international or travel cards - the types of cards being used often in hotels. Without the ability to accept EMV transactions, business owners - including hoteliers like you - are seeing liability shift chargebacks for which there is no defense. READ MORE

What if I told you there was an easy and effective way to bypass the OTAs, reduce fees, and capture audiences you aren't currently accessing? And I'm not talking about a new idea or outrageous untested concept. I'm simply talking about a change in the way you think about digital marketing. It's a process that the OTAs have deployed for years that hotel marketers can do every bit as effectively as the OTAs. Hotels continue to confront a familiar problem: How to attract direct bookings and reduce the impact of OTA fees. We all know how profitable it is when bookings come straight through the hotel, but there simply isn't enough reach to drive the same demand as the OTAs. READ MORE

Hotel forecast magic. The how to vs. the want to. Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to get the non-financial manages in your hotel to do their forecasts? It's like pulling teeth, it's so hard to get the leaders in your hotel to willingly come to the plate. What if you're asking for their forecasts in the wrong way? Here is what I learned and I want to call myself out on this because it took me 20 years to figure it out. Maybe it will work for you too and you won't have to waste 20 years. READ MORE