Sometimes, in industries like hospitality and health care, where there can be so intimate a connection with another human being (guest or patient), we may underestimate the importance of maintaining esprit de corps within our own group. This article discusses some key elements to ensuring that those ties that bind remain positive and strong within our organizations as we navigate what remains an uncertain future. READ MORE

Frugal Innovation (FI) is the ultimate human-tool to think differently about resources & develop inexpensive solutions to solve dynamic problems. Most of these solutions come out of necessity & adversity vs. pure innovation, stemming from a lack of capital and R&D. FI is an active-thinking-lab that creates solutions through repurposing resources that are likely right in front of you. READ MORE

The hospitality industry is not having the V-shaped recovery we all hoped for. While hotel occupancy rose steadily throughout the summer and had returned to mid-March levels by August, occupancy rates are not providing the full picture of distress. The view on the ground offers a sobering perspective, as hotel investors and operators across the country continue to announce delayed reopenings and in some cases, permanent closures. READ MORE

While the importance of F&B revenue has declined in middle-priced hotels, upper-upscale hotels have retained high levels of F&B revenue. The most important difference may well be meeting space, which acts to secure relatively stable F&B activity even in times of economic distress. Social distancing as a result of COVID-19 may limit the use of meeting space. READ MORE

In this pandemic-laden world, budgets have been trimmed, revenue expectations lowered, expenses have been brought under control and staffs have been reduced. How do we move forward in these challenging times when we have regressed in so many ways? How do we thrive when we have less resources and support? It can and has to be done. The following will help companies think through this dilemma, adapt and succeed. READ MORE