Healthcare is on everybody's minds these days. Politicians, business leaders and everyday folks are scrambling to find the best solutions to care for everyone, to ensure all get the medical services they need. Most everyone agrees that health care is a basic human need. Service, good service, the desire to be treated nicely, is a basic human need too. Just as healthcare is getting Presidential priority, so should service care be the priority of any hospitality leader. READ MORE

As the hotel industry struggles to keep its proverbial head above the deep recession waters, the matter of effective revenue management becomes more critical than ever. Hoteliers want to know, in such a depressed climate, what revenue management strategies will work most successfully? Well, you asked for it, and you've got it. This article outlines the new revenue management model and the steps that every hotelier needs to take right now (and we do mean, right now!) to survive and thrive during the recession. READ MORE

In a multi-cultural environment problems can occur when differences in hierarchy, status and protocol lead to poor communication and misunderstanding. Every society has numerous nuances that would make it irresponsible to suggest a uniform approach to understanding any country's social/business customs or etiquette. Yet, having a set of loose guidelines can assist in bettering awareness and avoiding offence. In this essay I outline five essential practices that meet the growing demand for multi-cultural awareness within the hospitality industry. READ MORE

Until a hotel is properly furnished, it's only an empty building. Responsible purchasing - guided by the designer's creativity, the owner's preferences, and the franchisers standards - brings a property alive and gives it soul. But how should you select your purchasing partner? And how can you be sure to get the quality products you demand, the 'within budget' costs you require, and the follow-up service you expect? This article provides some suggestions for finding a firm you can trust - and that can help you avoid purchasing mistakes which can be expensive, time-consuming, embarrassing, and perhaps even have legal implications. READ MORE

Processing payments is a huge expense, but there are three key things you can do to gain control of that expense. First, identify the "junk" fees many card processors charge so you can protect against them and save money. Next, learn how to better understand your statements, and ask your processor, accountant or a competing processor to explain any fees you don't understand. Finally, select a payments processor who will become a partner that can help you navigate the complexities of card processing and control the associated costs. READ MORE