Starwood recently announced that its Sheraton Brand will have reduced by the end of 2010 its hotel portfolio by over 40 properties, as these did not make the grade and were 'Brand detractors'. - More
Healthcare is on everybodys 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 huma... - More
The rest of us in Retail and the service industry have it easy. We say visit our shops, dine with us, spend a night, give us a call, enjoy a round of golf, try this on, watch your favorite team and so on. We have that moment to WOW, a specific short window to make the Experience memorable. We are oriented to the moment - orchestrate the one m... - More
As Apple's iPad joins the Amazon Kindle and an expanding universe of electronic reading devices, media companies continue to struggle with evolving models to maintain their relationship with readers across the rapidly changing digital landscape. - More
Every once in awhile an authors think-piece hits the bulls-eye. A recent article by Elizabeth Green titled Building a Better Teacher (New York Times, March 7, 2010) does just that. But what does this have to do with hospitality? Actually, its a no-brainer. - More
Among other victims of the recession, brands have taken a beating. Private labels have gained market share. Consumers are cutting back. Retailers are turning up the heat. According to panelists who gathered to discuss brand strategy at a recent Wharton Marketing Conference titled, "Connecting with the Evolving Consumer," marketers need to be esp... - More
Many in the Hospitality Industry felt they knew everything about the Customer Experience. Even the very definition of Hospitality percolated with terms like care, attention, excitement, relaxation, special, nourishment for the body, soul and spirit all oriented to that special cachet, which was ours alone. And, others started to borrow ... - More