'Globalization' has been a buzz word in the hotel sector since the days of Conrad Hilton and his peers. For years now the quest to operate in new markets has seen hotel groups such as Accor, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and Starwood truly become multinational players. Each week it seems one of these chains pronounces an increase to its development pipeline in one of the world's emerging economies. Starwood for example will take its current portfolio of 34 hotels in India and South Asia to over 100 hotels either open or signed up by 2015. Fairmont Raffles Hotels and Resorts will double the number of hotels open in Middle East and Africa by 2016. IHG not only has a robust development pipeline in China but has also developed a China specific brand. READ MORE

The recent economic downturn has lulled many organizations into forgetting that the United States will face a talent shortage as baby boomers approach retirement. This large cohort of employees has started or will be exiting organizations over the next few years. The birth rates of the younger generations means that companies must manage both a loss of organizational memory and implicit knowledge and also find ways to attract new workers. The author creates action-oriented tips for hospitality organizations around a three-pronged approach including attracting, cultivating and configuring to entice the best and brightest of the Millennial workers into their ranks. Rethinking strategies to attract talent will be the difference between organizational success and failure. READ MORE

Much ado has arisen in recent conversations regarding millennials in the workforce. Academics and lodging professionals agree that this new generation of workers will present both challenges and opportunities for the hospitality industry, if not for society as a whole. The savvy operation will take a proactive approach to understanding this labor pool, what challenges them, what inspires them, and how to advantageously harness their strengths. Those who postpone embracing these young workers will elevate the complexities faced when assimilating them into their organization. This article provides suggestions from academic research, trade publication reports, and industry leader testimonials as to how we will meet the needs of our next generation of staff. READ MORE

By 2020, it is expected the Millennials—a workforce of some 80 million strong--will comprise nearly 46 percent of all workers. This implosion is changing how business is being conducted. They are a study in contrasts. Tech savvy, smart and collaborative, they are also viewed as more self-centered, narcissistic and focused on their own careers than previous generations. What are Millennials looking for from their employers? This article takes a look at this question and offers some practical tips on how to attract, train and retain this new generation of workers. Understanding what makes them tick - and how to integrate them effectively in your multigenerational teams - can pave the way for a successful future workforce. READ MORE

In today's global economy, most people in the hospitality industry are working with customers and colleagues from a wide range of cultures. On one hand, hotels receive an increasing number of international travelers from all over the world. On the other hand, the industry's workforce is becoming more and more diverse as a result of immigration. This article examines how cultural differences can derail the recruiting process and create challenges even when everyone involved wants to do the right thing; it also provides suggestions that HR professionals and managers in the hotel industry can implement to recruit and integrate culturally diverse employees. READ MORE

Each generation of new employees present new challenges for leadership and hiring managers. How do hiring managers of Sales Talent adapt their recruitment practices to the characteristics which define the Millennial Generation? Conversely, how does GenY adapt themselves to be successful with non GenY supervisors and clients? If we are to build successful high performing sales teams, our leaders must be equipped to manage a team with multiple generational characteristics. We also need to coach and counsel GenY on the most effective ways to sell in this commodity driven sales environment. The traditional personal approach is no longer possible as technology is now an integral part of the sales process. READ MORE

The biggest challenge that hotel companies must overcome when launching training programs is tying the benefits of learning to business results and the bottom line. As a training manager or learning coach, you should base your training programs upon your company's business strategy with clear-cut expectations for what you and your trainees should expect to get out of the programs. Your learning initiatives should support your organization's goals from the top and be supported by top-level management within your organization before you execute them. READ MORE

Professional development, training and education are constant in today's competitive marketplace for businesses and their employees remain current. Many professions require ongoing development for its members and in some cases resulting in professional certification. For example, professions such as education, music, law, technology, and accounting have required professional certifications in their field for many years. Notably, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) has been a hallmark certification for anyone working at a public accounting firm and given the state of our tax system, the CPA will continue to be an important designation. READ MORE

The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) prohibits employers from discriminating against disabled individuals, which includes failing to provide a reasonable accommodation to a disabled individual. Before Congress passed the ADA Amendments Act (“ADAAA”), when an employee requested an accommodation, employers generally could determine whether the employee was disabled. Further, even if an employer entirely failed to accommodate an employee, there still was a good chance the employer would win any resulting lawsuit because of the difficulty in proving a disability. If it has not already, the passage of the ADAAA, which made it much easier to prove disability, should have entirely changed an employer's approach to accommodation requests. READ MORE

The impetus for this article comes from the thousands of miles I have traveled and the many places I have stayed in my work as a leadership consultant. Depending upon the city and the client, the range goes from residential inns to five star resorts, from boutique hotels to bed-and-breakfast retreats, from international chains to franchise operations. From a leadership perspective, what becomes clear is that while creature comforts can vary (and are always critically important), my ultimate experience is determined by the interactions I experience and observe with staff. READ MORE

Let's face it; in the hotel business if you don't deliver acceptable customer service, guests are more than likely to walk out your door and into one of a multitude of competitor properties, even after just one bad experience. And, in today's socially active world, there's no hiding your inefficiencies as irate customers are quick to take their experience to Twitter or other hotel review sites and spread their negative stories. The competition is so fierce that it's easy to understand why a hotel brand's customer reputation is one of its key drivers of business success. READ MORE

A hotel without its employees is nothing more than a building with beds,” states Niki Leondakis, president and COO of Kimpton Hotels. That's why it's so critical to retain the employees who make your guests feel like they have come home. Here's what you can do to make a lasting connection with those who matter - your employees. READ MORE

Effective employee engagement is crucially considered a key strength and critical business driver for organizational success. Getting employee-organization connectivity right can dramatically transform poor productivity and overall profitability. Research indicates that taking a strategic view of employee engagement within organizational culture, can lead to higher employee attainment across performance and commitment to company goals. However, employee engagement should not be considered in isolation and must take into account the pervading hospitality industry challenge of employee retention and the need for effective management of talent. This case looks at the link between employee engagement and retention of talent at The National Piping Centre, Glasgow Scotland. It examines how management support and encourage talent as well as facilitation of work-life balance to enhance employee contribution, the psychological contract of employment and ultimately talent connection to the hospitality organization. READ MORE

Hotels across the country, along with all employers, have seen an increasing trend of challenges being made to hiring and disciplinary actions based upon information gleaned from an applicant or employee's social networking site. Although utilizing this information is permissible under many circumstances, it is not an absolute guarantee that employers are insulated from liability when utilizing social networking sites in human resources decisions. READ MORE

The global hospitality industry has long struggled to overcome its affliction of employee turnover. This article outlines a systematic approach to addressing the expense of losing valued employees based on the idea of managing human resources in the same fashion as one manages the hospitality brand. One aspect of this branding is to ensure that employees maintain a balance between work and family issues. While eliminating all employee turnover is unlikely, employers who focus on helping employees maintain their work and home balance can reduce the incidence of turnover. HR branding can help to manage this and other aspects of the employee experience, with a resulting improvement in service and revenues. READ MORE

The rapid advances of technology over the past decade have greatly impacted our social habits and in turn the disparities between generations. When considering hiring and training a candidate from the Millennial generation, it's vital to consider how this rapidity has affected and deepened the contrasts amongst years of birth. Millennials have accrued many seemingly negative stereotypes - whimsical, entitled and eternally distracted - but with a proper comprehension of their unique circumstances, their technological savvy and contemporary spirit can be harnessed for positive business results. READ MORE