Does social media make your head hurt? Here are a few helpful resources for hotels

Does social media make your head hurt? Here are a few helpful resources for hotels | By Daniel Edward Craig

Putting together a social media program is a daunting task. You're navigating uncharted territory, and it feels like everyone is watching. Fortunately, there are a few sharp people out there who have published some great online resources to guide you through the clutter. Some of them even understand the hotel business. Here are a few I've found to be particularly helpful.
But first, a tip: These sites link to other sites, which in turn link to even more sites. Resist the urge to click until you've gotten through the links on this page. Otherwise it'll suddenly be three days later and you'll be more confused than when you started.

U.S. hotel performance for 2009 by quarter (in year-over-year comparisons)

The U.S. hotel industry reported decreases in all three key performance metrics for fourth-quarter 2009 in year-over-year measurements, according to data from STR.
The industry’s occupancy dropped 4.4 percent to 50.6 percent, average daily rate fell 7.6 percent to US$95.79, and revenue per available room decreased 11.7 percent to US$48.50.

Hotel leaders project slow path to recovery

Group business was the driver of the horrendous year that the hotel industry experienced in 2009, and leaders on a general-session panel at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit don’t see any hope of a recovery until that same business returns.

“The biggest surprise for us was the unbelievable decline in group declines and cancellations,” said Ed Walter, president and CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts. “That’s one of the things we typically count on to prop up our performance.”

The Impact of Seller Financing Upon Hotel Values

Seller financing is becoming more prevalent in hotel real estate transactions. This analysis outlines contemporary thinking on seller financing while illustrating its impact on value in a hypothetical case study.

Slow recovery seen for U.S. hotel industry

It is a buyer's market for hotel rooms in the United States, and the situation is not likely to change soon.

Hotel occupancy rates have stabilized, but discounting of room prices remains rampant in many markets, indicating a slow recovery for the industry.

Control Bar Costs Part 1

In most restaurants that have bars, a well run bar will pull in a much higher profit margin then even the best run kitchen. Especially with a bar that serves wine by the glass, which has a much higher profit margin then even bottles if managed correctly

But on a cautionary note, you can also lose quite a bit of money on a bar if costs are not controlled properly.

3 Tips to Give Your Host Stand Some Personality

The host stand is the first thing your customers see when they enter your restaurant. That first impression can be an opportunity or a potential stumbling block, and no matter which way you impress your customers, the host sets the tone. It’s like any new relationship: every word and action takes on an importance unique to the situation. Just like a first date, your customer is wondering why they should trust you.





Read more: http://www.foodservice.com/articles/show.cfm?contentid=8843#ixzz0dq4STUwz

The Trick to Getting New Business...

To attract business conferences in these tough times, some luxury resort hotels have resorted to a sort of strategy of last resort: They're dropping the very word "resort" from their names.

World's Most Outrageous Guest Requests

As  a hotelier with almost 30 years of experience..I too have seen this.  It is what truly sets a hotel apart from the competition.  It's not just the amenities, it about going the extra mile...It's all about the hospitality.
Service with a smile.

At the world's top luxury hotels, no task for the concierge is impossible. The following are some of the most unique and interesting requests made--and filled--by the hotel staff

Hotel fees that must die — and how to kill them

As a hotelier, we have seen many ways to make money, and add fees and surcharges...Is it time to back up and give a break until business gets back on track...

Resort fees. Mandatory tips. Concierge surcharges.

If you’ve stayed at a hotel in the last few years, you’ve become accustomed — if not anesthetized — to these annoying extras. You expect them. You’re indifferent to them when they appear on your bill.

You shouldn’t be............

Revenue Management: Dynamic Pricing

Dynamic pricing means that a hotel will change its room rates daily or even within a day if up-to-the-minute market information reveals the need for adjustments. It is based on the recognition that the right rate to charge for a room night is what the customer is able and willing to pay. By underpricing, the revenue manager leaves money on table; by overpricing, the hotel may price itself out of the market. Those who practice dynamic pricing believe that the hotel has to continually adjust rates in response to ever changing supply/demand conditions. The constant challenge, of course, is trying to determine the optimal price on a given day or afternoon.

A New Year, Renewed Focus and Best Revenue Management Strategies for 2010

For hoteliers in 2010, very few aspects of daily and strategic operations are going to be as crucial as revenue management. Of course, revenue management is important at all times but as the new year gets underway with a stronger recovery mentality – and about time too - it is especially important now: demand for hotel rooms is forecasted to increase only slightly more than 1%, and occupancy to essentially remain unchanged this year^[1]. It is vital, therefore, for individual properties to effectively manage their revenue streams to remain competitive and, well, keep the doors open for business. This means optimizing rates, managing multiple sales channels, embracing new and innovative revenue management techniques and technologies, and using as much information as possible to get the best rates from every booking.

Hotel News Now | Hotels News - Article

Three smart moves for 2010 hotel capital plans.........
Hotel News Now | Hotels News - Article

Innovation And Change | Addressing The “High Touch” Side Of Hospitality

This is a good article due to the ever changing industry we are in, and any industry for that matter..Here is the lead introduction...

The definition of innovate is “to bring something new to an environment.” Hospitality business owners and senior managers must embrace “high tech” changes available to keep the industry fresh. They must also understand as part of their responsibility the need to welcome and support business practices that address the human element of the business.

Getting Hired.... Is Technology Working...?

As I said I go into the field and apply for jobs, I do need to work, and I have a need to give back to an Industry that I learned so much from, and have love for. I applied online to a large hotel company as they tell you to through their website. If you know me, I have a rather distinguished career in the Hotel field. I am trying to stay local, and Consult at the same time. I applied to this company, did all the steps, and attached appropriate documents as requested and go though the steps when it sends me an email that I matched a position which is available. It sent me a lead on a Director of Outlets position at their premier resort here in the SW. I applied, being a former Food & Beverage Director, I was sent an email that stated I didn't meet their qualifications and they were pursuing a candidate that closer met their needs. Then I got an email that they were looking for an Assistant Outlet Manager...So I re-applied for that position as well...I got called in for an interview, and put on the suit and went up to the resort, and met with the Food & Beverage Director, a nice woman, I have monitored her moves, and I was the F & B next door, for Hilton a year ago, and was laid off, thus my return to Consulting, She Proceeded to ask Why I didn't apply for the Director of Outlets, I told the story, and so here we are, I am waiting to see how this will play out....But this goes to show that without a human eye looking at you and talking with you, you seem to fall through the cracks...I wonder how many times this has not only happened to me but others that seem to be "overqualified" for a position where they undoubtly have a passion for and unswerving ability to give back , and impart what they have learned to the "Next Generation" of hoteliers...who need to be shown the ropes...

Top 10 Revenue Management Opportunities for 2010

Revenue management professionals have an opportunity to shine in 2010, adding value to their organizations and the economy as the industry recovers its lost momentum. The following strategies and tactics should help position your revenue management efforts for success in 2010.

Daniel Edward Craig's Blog

This Blog is good...I really enjoyed "So You Want to Work in Hotels"....Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...

The Harsh Reality of the Economy...

It never ceases to amaze me of the craziness of the business world.  Yes, we know that the economy is bad, but we react with a knee jerk reaction. We eliminate work hours and positions, or combine them, this actually solves nothing. The guests or customers are being inconvenienced, and usually we punish a good employee by this move, and do not utilize their strength, and reward a person who we know needs to go, just because they have been there longer.  we need to "shoot our own dogs" , rough as it is, maybe work a bit harder but in the end have a better organization where the staff works well and enjoys coming to work. Wether it's a hotel, or a Restaurant, or a National Chain of Bookstores in a small podunk town in the SW, Managers and owners need to really get a look at their operations...I think that "The Undercover Boss" (On CBS) will open some eyes...I used to do that in my businesses' ....I think it leads to better results...

The Impostor Leaders

How many times have we all felt or seen this..........

‘My boss really hates me’. Those were his opening words. Then, clearly unhappy, this likeable and competent if somewhat timid young manager proceeded to describe the catalogue of abuse he suffered every day from his boss. It wasn’t just the constant sarcasm and snide remarks. Nor was it the frequent personal attacks on him in front of others. It wasn’t even the unnecessary denigration of his work just to show him who was in charge which got to him. No, he could struggle through all of that and the rest. It was, he said, the sense of helplessness which was hardest to take. That and the loss of self-esteem he was feeling because of his inability to stand up to his boss.

Resolutions for the New Year in Hotels

I thought this was pretty good.

Now that we’ve finally closed the book on 2009, a year in the hotel industry that can only be described as dismal, let’s hope the worst is over. Instead of making predictions that probably won’t come true, here are five New Year’s resolutions to help make the road to recovery smoother.

A Funny Thing Happened On My Way To The Hotel Business

It's all about sharing and giving back...

In the past few years, I've written articles focused on the hotel business with the aim towards, hopefully, giving-back to an industry which I truly love and one which had provided me with a good income and a lifetime of memories. Looking back at a hotel career of more forty years, there were many learning moments, a few sad times, and many funny ones.