Benjamin Franklin needs no introduction. His accomplishments and contributions to our country in the seventeen hundreds were many. Likewise, his words of wisdom have been recited to us by our mothers and fathers for many generations. Some of my family's favorites included: "A penny saved is a penny earned", "A place for everything and everything in its place", and "A small leak can sink a great ship." But some of the less known phrases are the ones that can perhaps teach us the best lessons if we relate them to the world of hotel franchising. In particular, two Ben Franklin quotes come to mind: "Well done is better than well said," and "A countryman [or hotelier for our purposes] between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats." READ MORE

As our labor force increases and we evolve into more of a leisure society, many of our new-generation workers do not want to spend as much time on their jobs as employees of the past. This means that one of the key words we as managers, should keep in mind when seeking new talent is balance. We need to make sure that the people who work in our industry keep a balance between work, family and leisure time. The more balance, the more stability. The more stability, the more productivity and less turnover. If we are going to attract the new wave of talented managers, we need to measure a person's worth or accomplishments based not on how much time is spent on the job, but rather on the person's productivity. A highly productive 50-hour, gung-ho enthusiastic manager who gives 110% is much more valuable than a tired, half-conscious 70-hour manager going through the motions. READ MORE

Hospitality spas are highly vulnerable to branding disconnect. "Branding" often occurs at the corporate level, far away from a spa's employee training programs. Marketing spins gorgeous fantasies to lure customers in and Operations deals with gritty day to day realities, often completely unaware of the marketing promise. When the two contrast sharply, the brand can be badly damaged. READ MORE

The idea of making a property green or environmentally responsible may not automatically bring to mind images of guest enjoyment and aesthetic pleasure, yet a truly sustainable property should, in fact, enhance these aspects of a guest's stay. This article will analyze and explain how several key areas of a property can improve its aesthetic appeal when they are made more sustainable. The aesthetic potential of sustainability has particular ramifications for the spa industry, as we will see. READ MORE

An ongoing issue facing an older generation of hotel owners/operators is how to best prepare and plan for the continuing growth and future of one's property after retirement. If you are intending to retire from a life managing hotels, how do you plan for it? How can an individual owner prepare all the statistics that will facilitate a sale? How can a hotel be marketed to potential buyers? What if the owner does want to sell at all, but his children do not want to manage? How can an owner retain possession and not have to run the business or rely on another individual to manage the operation on his behalf? READ MORE