For hotel owners thinking about selling their businesses, it might seem like now is a bad time to list a business for sale. In reality, many potential business buyers are looking, but the businesses for sale that include an offer of seller financing are the ones getting buyers to take notice. If hotel owners are willing to finance at least part of a business sale, they are much more likely to sell the business, as today's economy has made it difficult for buyers to finance an entire business purchase through traditional methods. Read my article below to find out everything you need to know about seller financing in business-for-sale transactions. READ MORE

It's no secret that the most successful projects consist of teams that communicate well and work seamlessly together. Having a clear vision for a project is critical for success. It is vitally important that the design and procurement professionals work in a collaborative manner to ensure design continuity. When the design and procurement aspects of a given project are combined under one umbrella, you create a synergy in achieving the right design at the right cost. READ MORE

There isn't a business that isn't being challenged by our current economy, and hospitality is certainly no exception. During these stressful times, your guests - many of them business travelers struggling with these financial challenges, will need the therapeutic qualities of fitness and exercise more than ever. Neglecting an emphasis on fitness services could be a big mistake, that jeopardizes customer satisfaction and loyalty. Check out national fitness business expert Bryan Green's story "Keep Fitness Strong During a Weak Economy" where he'll tell you how you can "pump up" your business through fitness, in the face of today's economic challenges. READ MORE

It is widely known that the Chinese beauty and wellness market is very large and growing fast. The 370,200 salons and spas in the US are dwarfed by China's 1.72 million salons/spas with their 9 million employees. In addition, it has also been turning in double digit growth rates for many years now and is shortly expected to overtake France as a purchaser of cosmetic products. READ MORE

For obvious reasons, cost cutting is at the top of every business owner's to-do list. Surprisingly, energy expenses are often overlooked as operating costs are evaluated for their impact on a company's bottom line. Energy expenses can be a controllable cost when consumption behaviors are evaluated. According to ENERGY STARR, typical energy expenses account for more than 6 percent of a hotel's total operating costs. These costs have increased approximately 25 percent from 2004 to 2008. By investigating procurement options, analyzing a history of utility invoices, exploring what rates you should be paying, and implementing green energy practices, operators can drive down utility costs without negatively impacting the comfort of their hotels or quality of the guest accommodations. READ MORE