Hospitality Daily Podcast

In this episode, originally recorded in January 2024, Kari Anna Fiskvik, SVP of Technology at Strawberry, shares her insights on selecting and implementing technology in the hospitality industry.Buy vs. Build Philosophy (01:39) - Understand Kari Anna's approach to deciding whether to buy existing technology or build custom solutions in-house.Evaluating Technology Vendors (02:59) - Discover the criteria and processes used to evaluate and select technology vendors, including the importance of partnerships and innovation.Change Management (07:00) - Gain insights into effective change management strategies to ensure successful technology implementation and adoption.Real-World Implementation (09:49) - Hear about practical examples and experiences in rolling out new technology, such as point-of-sales solutions in restaurants, and the importance of understanding the end-user's perspective. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Curtis Crimmins, founder and CEO of Roomza, shares his inspiring journey of creating an innovative hotel brand that prioritizes the well-being of frontline workers and guests alike. Listen now to learn about:Background and Early Memories of Hospitality (01:10) - Curtis discusses his upbringing and how his mother's work as a hotel housekeeper influenced his view of hospitality.The Philosophy Behind Roomza (05:07) - Curtis explains his belief that hospitality should be a feeling and how Roomza aims to create personalized experiences for guests.Challenges and Discrimination in the Hospitality Industry (06:02) - Curtis shares personal experiences of discrimination and how they motivated him to create a more inclusive hotel brand.The Origin Story of Roomza (10:26) - Learn about the inception of Roomza during the pandemic and the challenges Curtis and his co-founder faced in starting the company.Innovative Business Model: Hotel Within a Hotel (21:09) - Curtis explains the "hotel within a hotel" concept and how it allows Roomza to offer personalized experiences at a lower cost.Personalization and Guest Experience (23:41) - Discover how Roomza uses personalization to enhance guest experiences and encourage direct bookings.The Role of Hosts and Company Culture (31:01) - Curtis discusses the importance of dignifying titles and creating a positive culture for employees, who are all referred to as "hosts."Scaling the Business and Maintaining Culture (33:56) - Insights into how Roomza is scaling its operations while maintaining its unique culture and values.Final Thoughts and Call to Action (40:36) - Curtis shares his vision for the future of hospitality and encourages listeners to take action in their own organizations. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Dorothy Dowling, Managing Director of Horwath HTL and special advisor to the HSMAI Foundation Board, shares insights from the HSMAI Foundation's third annual State of Talent Report, focusing on talent recruitment, retention, and engagement in the hospitality industry. Listen now to learn about:Introduction to the State of Talent Report (00:00) - Overview of the report and its significance in the hospitality industry.Differences in the 2024 Report (02:11) - How the 2024 report differs from previous years and the focus on practical applications and case studies.Challenges in Talent Recruitment and Retention (05:09) - Key challenges observed in the hospitality industry regarding talent acquisition and retention.The Concept of Wisdom Workers (05:21) - Explanation of the term "wisdom workers" and its relevance in a multi-generational workforce.Impact of AI and Technology on Talent (10:04) - Discussion on how AI and technology are transforming the hospitality industry and the importance of upskilling.Best Practices for Upskilling and Reskilling (11:52) - Examples of leading companies' strategies for upskilling and reskilling their workforce.Importance of Employee Engagement (14:29) - How dynamic platforms and regular feedback can optimize the employee experience.Visibility Challenges in Remote and Hybrid Work (15:35) - Concerns about visibility for underrepresented groups in remote and hybrid work environments and strategies to address them.If you enjoyed this, you may also enjoy:My Journey Learning and Leading Global Hospitality Businesses - Dorothy DowlingWhat Hospitality Providers Need To Know About Media Now - Dorothy DowlingChallenges and Opportunities with Hotel Brands Today: What I Saw As CMO of Best Western With 18 Brands - Dorothy DowlingHow HSMAI Helps Hotel Sales, Marketing & Revenue Commercial Leaders - Bob Gilbert, HSMAI A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Sloan Dean, CEO of Remington Hospitality, shares his insights on effective communication, team building, and fostering a positive company culture. Listen now to learn about:Welcoming New Team Members - Discover how Sloan personally welcomes new employees, setting a positive tone from day one.Perspective on the Next Generation - Understand Sloan's views on the younger workforce and how he believes older leaders can better communicate with them.Effective Communication Strategies - Learn about Sloan's methods for engaging with his team, including learning about behavioral psychology, listening to podcasts, and conducting coffee sessions.Feedback and Improvement - Find out how Sloan solicits feedback from employees and uses it to make meaningful changes, such as improving maternity and paternity leave policies.Creating an Open Dialogue - Explore Sloan's techniques for encouraging open communication, including sharing personal experiences and making himself approachable."Oversharing" for Transparency - Learn why Sloan believes in "oversharing" non-confidential information to build trust and reduce anxiety among team members.Want more? Listen to our other episodes with Sloan here now. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Hospitality Daily host Josiah Mackenzie is interviewed by Denny Corby on Private Club Radio about what he's seen it takes to succeed in hospitality today.Follow Private Club Radio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and LinkedIn.If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy: The Real Scoop Behind Hospitality Daily - Josiah Mackenzie x Zach BusekrusTop Hospitality Trends and Opportunities To Watch (US & Europe) - Josiah Mackenzie with Florian Montag (SMACK Podcast) A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Steve Palmer, founder and chief vision officer of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, shares his insights on the importance of creating a positive work environment in the hospitality industry and the impact it can have on both employees and the industry as a whole. Listen now to hear his thoughts on:The mission to improve the hospitality industryCreating a world of abundanceCombating toxic work cultures The enduring appeal of the hospitality industryThe irreplaceable value of human connectionIf you enjoyed this, listen to the rest of our mini-series with Steve:Say Grace: How Sobriety Saved My Life (And How I'm Helping Others)How "Transformational Hospitality" Changed My Life (And Can Change Your Business)Culture As A Business Model: How We Turn Employee Satisfaction into ProfitsHow We Build a Culture of Mentorship A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Ben Powers, CEO of Visiting Media, shares a masterclass on how to sell effectively today with immersive technology and multi-sensory experiences.Ben Powers' Journey (01:39): Discover Ben's background as a serial entrepreneur and how he transitioned from being a wedding photographer to the CEO of Visiting Media.What Visiting Media Does (04:52): Understand how Visiting Media helps hoteliers with immersive technology and multi-sensory experiences to boost sales.Importance of Sales in Hospitality (07:56): Explore why sales are crucial in the hospitality industry and how effective selling can drive revenue and enhance customer experiences.Challenges in Hospitality Sales (12:08): Identify common barriers that hold people back from selling effectively and how to overcome them.Speed and Multi-Sensory Experiences (14:11): Learn about the importance of speed in sales and how multi-sensory experiences can enhance the selling process.Distribution Innovations (20:57): Dive into the exciting innovations in distribution that Visiting Media is working on to streamline and enhance the sales process.Use Cases and Client Examples (24:57): Hear about different implementations of Visiting Media's technology across various hospitality contexts.Data-Driven Insights (31:16): Discover surprising data points that have emerged from using immersive technology in sales and how they can drive better outcomes.Practical Steps for Listeners (36:19): Get actionable advice on how to level up your sales program using technology and process improvements.Evaluating Technology (40:19): Learn key questions to ask when evaluating new technology to ensure it simplifies and enhances your sales efforts.Resources:Visiting Media websiteCase studies and testimonialsWhy work with Visiting MediaBeyond the Booking podcastA few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Brock Taylor, General Manager at Cameo Beverly Hills, shares insights into the sales role in hospitality and its critical importance to the success of a hotel.Understanding the Sales Role in Hospitality (01:33) - why sales matters in a hotel setting.Misconceptions About Sales in Hospitality (02:54) - including the idea that sales is only about direct selling and the importance of being hospitable and understanding guests' needs.Day in the Life of a Sales Professional (03:57) - overview of what a typical day might look like for a sales professional in hospitality, including the different segments they might focus on and the key traits needed for success.Importance of Listening and Understanding Guests (06:00) - the importance of being a good listener to understand and meet the complex needs of guests, especially for event organizers and larger groups.Current Opportunities at Cameo Beverly Hills (06:55) - current job openings on the sales team at Cameo Beverly Hills and the qualities they are looking for in new team members.See career opportunities at Cameo Beverly Hills here. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Steve Palmer, founder and chief vision officer of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, shares his insights on the importance of mentorship in building a powerful organizational culture.Listen now to learn about:Steve Palmer's Approach to Mentorship (01:00) - his views on the responsibility and privilege of mentoring, and how mentorship can turn a job into a lifelong, satisfying career in hospitality.Creating Roadmaps for Growth (01:47) - the benefits of a growing company and the opportunities it creates for employees, and examples of career progression within the Indigo Road Hospitality Group.Mentorship Programs at Indigo Road (02:10) - details on the mentorship program for new leaders,and the importance of keeping employees inspired and aligned with core values.Promoting from Within (02:58) - the strategy of promoting from within to sustain and nurture company culture, and the advantages of moving experienced employees to new locations for better success rates.Real-life Examples of Promotion and Growth (03:46) - specific examples of employees being promoted and relocated to new cities, and the excitement and growth opportunities for young, ambitious employees. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

In this episode, Steve Palmer, founder and chief vision officer of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, shares insights on building and maintaining a great organizational culture that drives business success.Understanding Culture as a Business Model (01:21) - Steve explains how culture can be a dynamic and profitable business model, moving beyond superficial perks to create a meaningful work environment.Evaluating Organizational Culture (04:04) - Learn about the methods Indigo Road Hospitality Group uses to assess their culture, including anonymous employee satisfaction surveys and real-time observations.Internal Hospitality and Employee Engagement (06:57) - Discover the concept of internal hospitality and how creating a positive work environment can lead to better customer experiences.Practical Initiatives for a Positive Culture (08:04) - Steve discusses various initiatives like family meals, home loan programs, and free mental health support that contribute to a supportive and engaging workplace.Leadership and Vulnerability (11:09) - Understand the importance of authentic leadership, admitting mistakes, and fostering a culture where employees feel safe and valued. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands