All current research regarded to labor indicates that there will continue to be a shortage of well qualified workers in the future. In a recent survey commissioned by Indeed, they found that over 50% of US workers are thinking of making a career change. As we approach the new year, this is one of the most frequent times that employees think about changing jobs. What are you doing to create the workplace where once employees enter, they remain fully engaged, committing their time, talent, and enthusiasm to ensure the success of the organization? READ MORE

Technology is becoming an ever more growing part of the hospitality industry and it has helped us increase efficiency for guest check-inn, simplified the night audit process and now has the opportunity to increase our revenue production. These systems need hands on calibration to ensure they are optimized for your operations. As a manager you need to understand how these systems work and what kind of return on investment your business is getting. Although some of these systems maybe mistaken as a "set it and forget it" product, these highly sophisticated tools need local expert like you and your team to analysis the data it gives you and input new data requirements. READ MORE

You do not have to be a hospitality professional to recognize the influx and impact of new technologies in the hotel industry. Guests are becoming familiar with using virtual room keys on their smartphones to check in, and online resources like review sites and online travel agencies (OTAs) continue to shape the way consumers make decisions and book rooms. Behind the scenes, sales and marketing professionals are using new tools to communicate with guests, enhance operational efficiencies, and improve service by addressing guests' needs and solving problems quickly and with a minimum of disruption. READ MORE

For years, hotels have housed their Revenue Management systems on their premises. This was possible because data sets were huge but manageable, and required large but not overwhelming amounts of computing power. However, these on-premise systems are a thing of the past. In the era of Big Data, the cost of building and maintaining an extensive computing infrastructure is incredibly expensive. The solution - cloud computing. The cloud allows hotels to create innovative Revenue Management applications that deliver revenue uplift and customized guest experiences. Without the cloud, hotels risk remaining handcuffed to their current Revenue Management solutions - and falling behind competitors. READ MORE

Hotel room night inventory is the hotel industry's most precious commodity. Hotel revenue management has evolved into a complex and fragmented process. Today's onsite revenue manager is influenced greatly by four competing forces, each armed with their own set of revenue goals and objectives -- as if there are virtually four individual revenue managers, each with its own distinct interests. So many divergent purposes oftentimes leading to conflicts that, if left unchecked, can significantly damper hotel revenues and profits. READ MORE

With the rise of technologic innovations throughout the hospitality industry, brands are incorporating new systems that not only affect the way hotels operate, but also the guest experience. David Ashen, partner and founder of interior design and brand consulting firm dash design, looks at how the industry is responding with programs like mobile check-in, app-driven food service, robotics and other systems, along with their influences on the guest experience. READ MORE

While it's unlikely that Mary and Joseph left a scathing TripAdvisor review after being turned away at the Inn in Bethlehem, hotel reviews have been around, in various forms, since the first hotel opened its doors. As with many other human activities (relationships, journalism/information sharing, etc), "reviews" have become digital. And like those other activities, entire ecosystems have sprung up to support this new channel. READ MORE

For hotels with multinational operations, communication in other languages and multilingual content have become part of their everyday processes. Hiring a translation company involves consideration and implementation of a long-term translation strategy. The strategy must be set with 3 key variables in mind: content, time and budget. According to the type of content and use, the most adequate workflows and services are defined. Based on the deadline, the number of professionals, the tools and quality assurance required are set. READ MORE

As a former spa director of one of the largest resort spas in the Midwest, I know how important it is to evaluate new products and services in order to determine which ones offer true potential for wellness for the client and profitability for the business. As a property manager or owner, your phone rings constantly with vendors who want you to consider their products and services. Below, here are a few questions to help you decide if a trend is right for your property. READ MORE

While hotel company in-house revenue management training programs and collaborative partnerships such as the industry-academia partnership that I wrote about previously, can go a long way towards developing the right revenue management talent, we are continuing to witness growth in the talent shortfall. Here, I take a look at a recent initiative launched by HSMAI to complement existing talent development programs, and draw on some of the insights gained from a HSMAI-sponsored Think Tank to suggest some practical actions that hotels can take to promote the revenue management discipline and grow their revenue management talent pool. READ MORE

Revenue management is widely defined as the application of disciplined analytics that predict consumer behavior at the micro-market level and optimize product availability and price to maximize revenue growth. The primary aim of revenue management is selling the right product to the right customer at the right time for the right price. The essence of this discipline is in understanding customers' perception of product value and accurately aligning product prices, placement and availability with each customer segment. READ MORE

While there are many service industries, hospitality is certainly one of the most complex. The closest comparison may be a cruise ship, or, to a certain extent, air travel. But for something firmly rooted at all times to the ground, we'll take bragging rights. We are providing an extremely intimate service, lodging, within the confines of what is nothing more ambitious than running a small city. The modern hotel comprises housing; utilities and other infrastructure; security; an employment force; a commons, i.e. lobby; and, oftentimes, food, beverage and recreation. We bring together under one roof people from all walks of life, with varying needs, expectations and personalities, everyone from a business executive stressed over tomorrow's important meeting to a senior couple celebrating their 50th anniversary. READ MORE

The big data revolution isn't just on the way, it's already here. As of 2012, more data crossed the internet every second than was stored on the entire world wide web 20 years before. From bounce rate to time spent on site to conversion rate and more, it's now possible to access every step of the buyer's journey in great detail. As an enterprising hospitality professional, it's your job to take advantage of that unprecedented access to data. The problem is that big data often feels overwhelming, leaving you and your team to filter what correlations are important, which are just noise, or how to sift the wheat from the chaff and incorporate the useful data into your marketing strategy. Here are the changes and data to pay attention to. READ MORE

Freelancers and independent contractors are at the forefront of the New Economy. Hotel executives have the opportunity to work with members of this global network of experts and professionals. This movement benefits employers and employees alike, enhancing quality and increasing efficiency. These benefits can be an advantage for the hospitality industry as a whole, as talent expands and choice grows at an exponential rate. Seizing this chance to innovate is one that hotel executives can leverage regionally, nationally or internationally. These facts illustrate the strengths of the New Economy and its worldwide influence. Welcome to the beginning of a new chapter in business leadership. READ MORE

Due to the exponential growth of digital media, how we plan and book our vacations has changed dramatically over the past two decades. The environment is constantly evolving; with an increase in the use of mobile content being amongst the most recent advances. Travel Public Relations firms can help you to remain fully informed about this rapidly-changing landscape. Magazines, guidebooks and newspaper supplements were once seen as the ultimate authority on travel. But now the biggest touchstones also include online reviews, travel websites and blogs. READ MORE