Communication, on the surface, is easier and quicker than ever. We have a wealth of information at our fingertips, allowing us to be better informed in our communication with others. We can communicate in real time, cutting across georgraphic, time zone and even cultural boundaries. We can easily inform ourselves of basic cultural idioms as we craft communication directed to people in other regions of the country or far flung areas of the world. When the situation calls for it, we can access translation services at the touch of a button. And yet it seems that true communication is more elusive than ever. If you accept that communication creates understanding between the giver and the receiver, then we seem to have quite a way to go before we can call ourselves consistently effective. It may be, as someone said to me years ago, that communication is the last great frontier. READ MORE

Last year was a tough year for everyone. For this reason, it doesn't matter what industry you are in, everyone had to make significant changes, including those within their sales and marketing teams. Joint ventures, partnerships, creative marketing and networking are just a few options for the next generation of companies striving to meet demands in the working world as we transition into a new decade. These collaborations, if executed effectively are an opportunity for both small businesses to band together to take on the goliaths of an industry as well as an opening for large companies to capitalize on some of the streamlined methods utilized in smaller organizations. READ MORE

It is no secret by now that employers, including those in the hotel- and hospitality-related industry, continue to be hit with the legal tsunami that are class action lawsuits. Hotel employers are especially vulnerable, with limited defenses, when it comes to wage and hour lawsuits, where a large class of employees allege that their employer failed to pay minimum wage or overtime compensation. That vulnerability has been increased recently by the current economic climate, where employers look for ways to cut certain employee-related costs, and by advances in technology (e.g., the use of Blackberries) that make it more difficult to monitor working hours and activities. READ MORE

General managers and hoteliers face the challenge of synchronizing all of the internal processes of a hotel every day, coordinating the F&B department with the front office and sales, all while making sure engineering keeps the place running right. It's a tough job! One of the greatest challenges facing hoteliers and hotel managers in terms of getting their symphony well-tuned is synching their sales and revenue management systems. This article provides GMs and hoteliers with suggestions on how to properly integrate their sales and revenue management systems to ensure optimal revenues, a must in today's tough market. READ MORE

Almost overnight, group business disappeared when the worst economic times of our life time coincided with the public exposure of AIG and other companies spending lavishly on group business while accepting government bail-outs. As a result, large groups from high profile companies wanted to avoid the illusion of excess or decadence and cancelled their meetings at resorts, conference centers, casinos, and convention hotels. In desperation, most group properties significantly reduced rates to attract any group business and undercut their completion to gain back this market. This article will address some tips to penetrate this market regardless of market conditions to ensure that your property(s) is positioned for success. READ MORE