In-Depth: Operations - Hotel & Motel Management
Monday, Dec 1, 2008
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In-Depth: Operations
H&MM's staff writers and industry experts analyze the news about how and why hospitality companies are improving operations.
  • Rosewood Hotels & Resorts promotes Marcie Lieberman to Senior Corporate Director of Operations of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts


    Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the promotion of Marcie Lieberman to Senior Corporate Director of Operations of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

    USFS nurtures a growing market


    Roy Flora, c.o.o. of US Franchise Systems, recalls how he once saw an associate at a competing hotel lean over the front desk and shout questions at a guest in a wheelchair who was trying to check in. After a few moments, the guest calmly said, "I may not be able to walk, but my hearing's just fine."

    Premium bedding important to business travelers


    The majority of business travelers find a premium quality mattress and premium quality bed linen extremely or very important features when selecting a hotel, motel or resort for business travel.

    People movers


    There are many decisions to make when selecting a vehicle for guest transportation needs. The process usually begins with a custom chassis, which is taken to an upfitter who adds the body—seats, doors, frame and accessories.

    Refrigerators: Ease energy demands


    When a refrigerator is kept in proper operating condition, the refrigeration system does not have to work as hard to remove heat from inside the unit, according to Randy Augustine, product manager–reach-ins, Hoshizaki America.

    Wash, fold, smile


    While working in the laundry room might not be the most glamorous job at a hotel, that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable.

    Build a community that will nurture and grow your company's culture



    Communities are bigger and more powerful than functional teams. They serve a long-term purpose as the ?fertilizer? for company culture. Here are six pillars for strong community building.

    Bathed in light


    Hotel operators have become enlightened on the importance of bathroom lighting in the guestroom. Once among the top guest complaints, lighting in guest baths has become a highlight of hotel design.

    Train trainers to help development, increase competency


    Trainers are unique individuals in the hotel business. Often, they have put in their time in the trenches, starting out as hourly workers and moving up through the ranks as departmental trainers or human resources generalists to training managers of entire properties.

    Guest satisfaction results spur hotels to act


    National Report–In the race for guests, the hotel industry has added amenities and touted customer focus. Has the effort paid off in customer satisfaction?

    Problem resolution revisited: Get it right the first time


    There's a fascination in the hotel industry with a subject better suited for a math olympiad or the White House Cabinet Room: problem solving. Yes, we know the winning equation. Guest has problem, hotel associate solves problem and bingo, out pops a loyal guest. The obsession has grown to the point where operators have joked (we think!) that the secret to growing a customer base is to constantly create minor problems, and then fix them. Voila—instant loyalty.

    Employee performance: Continuous, constructive feedback yields results



    The level of an associates' performance is directly related to the quality, timing and frequency of their manager's constructive communication with them. Find out how managers can improve their communication skills to motivate and retain valuable people.

    Hampton updates wardrobe, image


    Washington–"Real clothes that real people wear" are what employees at Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites properties will be dressed in as part of the brand's new uniform standard.

    Climate change affects commercial business environment



    Climate change has hit the big time. It's plastered on the front pages of our papers, in theatres, even on YouTube. And the message isn't passive: The recent cover of Newsweek exhorted readers to "Save the Planet—Or Else."

    Cornell Insights: Union negotiation strategy changes landscape


    The landscape seems to be changing for union representation in the hotel industry. What this means remains unclear.

    Hotel Operations: Energy Management - A sense for savings


    Many options exist for hotels looking to manage energy costs by controlling HVAC usage with sensor technology.

    Maintenance Doctor: Plan to take action before natural disaster hits


    Q I've heard meteorologists predict that this year's hurricane season will be "very active." What can I do to prepare my property for a hurricane or any other type of natural disaster?

    Brands say scents make sense in the guest experience



    Executives from Westin, Marriott, Hyatt and Mandarin Oriental share their experience with creating and deploying signature brand scents.

    Build the business today to grow tomorrow


    Joe Kaye was sitting in on his son and daughter's business strategic planning session two weeks ago. On the one hand, he was extremely proud of his successors because they responsibly planned for the company's future. On the other hand, he was unnerved by the huge amount of his cash being invested, and nowhere was his name mentioned in the plan. The following plans address two topics: one, building the family enterprise to last and grow, and two, life after family business.

    Acquiring unionized properties brings legal challenges


    The sale or transfer of unionized properties presents special labor and employment law problems and is often confusing, particularly regarding the perceived binding effect of successorship clauses contained in collective-bargaining agreements covering employees of the seller. Here is a breif summary of the rules of the game under th eNational Labor Relations Act.

H&MM Marketing Report Quarterly
H&MM's quarterly round up of hospitality industry sales and marketing news and analysis

Online merchandising tools grow more sophisticated

Maximizing revenue from electronic channels: The five common mistakes of asset managers

Increased business is just a phone call away

(More...)

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