If you're keeping abreast of hot topics in hotel trade publications and at industry conferences, you'll notice there is quite a lot of chatter about online reputation management. Some hoteliers seem to be fixated on what guests are saying about them on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and in OTA review columns; others display a modicum of concern and wonder if they should be doing anything about them; and then there is a group that frankly, just doesn't give a damn. So where do YOU fall? READ MORE

Today's society is visually oriented, and the phrase a picture speaks a thousand words has never been more relevant. With life moving at warp speed, we don't have much time to read, but we certainly can look to learn, and that applies to business as well. Visually based social networks present an amazing opportunity for the hospitality world and can open up a brand new communication channel for savvy hotels of all shapes and sizes. With just a little bit of smarts, Pinterest can almost drive itself. Learn how to take advantage of this exciting vehicle. READ MORE

With the diversified interests of today's workforce, the water cooler, or any other common meeting ground within an office setting, is gaining importance as a means of word of mouth recommendations. Social media is still vastly important but it comes with baggage, namely a lot of noise. A smart marketer will be able to get around this by developing strategies to reach consumers while at work and then compel them to talk about a certain product or brand with other team members while at the water cooler. READ MORE

Computers can't smile; iPads can't empathize; mobile phones can't relate. Although the best technology can give companies a great advantage in the marketplace, it cannot replace the value of a human connection. Social Media provides brands with the opportunity to bring together technology and one-on-one conversation to create a closer relationship than has ever been experienced before for both brands and consumers. READ MORE

The nature of seasonality of hotel business means lopsided sales graphs within a performance period. In a week itself, depending upon whether it is a city hotel or resort, weekdays could see demand high (city hotels) and weekends slow. When revenues behave in this up and down seasonality pattern, profits get impacted significantly. And Owners come into this equation showing razor sharp focus on profits and return on their investments. To balance that up and down movement and sustain revenues and profitability is the name of the game. And in this game, a big player is Sales Mix. Knowing the combination in which your products and services are offered is indeed your ticket to incremental revenues and profits. READ MORE