Hospitality Daily Podcast

Have you ever asked yourself, "How do I effectively guide my team through change?" If so, this episode is for you. Our guest, Rachel Vandenberg, is not just a hotel owner and operator but also happens to be a leadership coach. We talk about her past experiences and lessons learned from implementing new software in her hotel, making the episode full of insights for change management. Rachel emphasizes the need for communication, transparency, and explaining the 'why' behind changes, and this isn't just theoretical, Rachel has lived it!As we move deeper into the conversation, Rachel takes us through the emotional side of change management. How does a leader take care of their emotional health during challenging times? Rachel shares her practices like daily meditation and regular exercise. She also gives some specific advice for implementing new technology – including thoroughly vetting alternatives and constant communication with the team. This isn't just about changes in the workplace, it's about navigating the rough waters of change in any aspect of your life, and Rachel is your expert guide!Resource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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

Jay Hubbs is the VP of Advertising, Marketing, Innovation, and Analytics overseeing BWH Hotels’ consumer-facing marketing, advertising, and the award-winning Best Western Rewards program.  Today, Jay Hubbs was awarded Marketing Professional of the Year by HSMAI, and in this conversation, we cover:Why marketing matters todayWhat Jay is most proud of building over the past yearWhat experiences have been most helpful in Jay's career journey to dateThe role of marketing in providing hospitalityWhat makes great advertisingThe importance and opportunity with loyalty rewards programsInternational growth...and much moreLinks:Follow Jay on LinkedInCareers at BWH HotelsJay Hubbs interview by Loyalty360Resource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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

What happens when you combine journalism, technology, and the hospitality industry? You get an insightful conversation with our guest, Jason Freed, the Hospitality Data Evangelist at MDO. In this episode, Jason shares his journey from reporting to exploring the exciting intersection of technology and pricing in the hotel sector, emphasizing the importance of revenue management technology in creating memorable guest experiences and keeping businesses profitable.The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the hotel industry, but with challenges come opportunities for innovation. In this episode, we discuss the role hospitality technology played in navigating these trying times and the birth of Hotel Recovery 2020, a resource aimed at helping hoteliers make informed decisions during the pandemic. Discover how the crisis accelerated advancements in both front-of-house and back-of-house technology, improving hotel operations and efficiency.As data becomes increasingly relevant in the hospitality industry, we delve into the world of data evangelism with Jason. He enlightens us on how MDO's digital document management and business intelligence systems are empowering hoteliers to make better decisions. We also explore the potential of AI in the travel planning process and the exciting future of technology in both back-end and front-end processes, such as personalization and the connected trip. Don't miss this engaging discussion on the ever-evolving world of hospitality technology!Links:Follow Jason on LinkedInLearn more about MDOJason's latest report: Data-driven Strategies to Move Beyond Rooms Revenue.Total Profit Optimization - Billy Copelan, Sea Island Resorts & Jason Freed, MDOIt's time we celebrate Night Auditors: The unsung heros of hospitality - JasonResource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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

Ready to discover how the world of travel and hospitality is being revolutionized by cutting-edge technology? Join us in an enlightening conversation with our special guest, Shane O'Flaherty, Microsoft's Global Director of Travel, Transportation, and Hospitality. Shane brings a wealth of experience, including his time at the helm of Forbes Travel Guide, and he offers valuable insights into the role of AI in personalizing the customer journey and empowering employees to work more efficiently.Together, we explore the transformative impact of technology on the airline and hotel industries, emphasizing the importance of digitizing workflows and harnessing data for informed decision-making. Shane shares how Microsoft's products and services are future-proofing businesses with the help of AI-driven insights and decentralized ID. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a true expert in the hospitality and travel sector and elevate your understanding of how technology is shaping the future of these industries.Resource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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

Ready to master the art of upselling in the hospitality industry and create extraordinary guest experiences? Join us as we chat with Erik Tengen, co-founder and CEO of Oaky, an upselling software platform, who shares his wealth of knowledge on understanding what your guests want and offering it to them proactively, smoothly, and in a relevant way. Eric also provides valuable advice on evaluating and implementing technology in your hospitality business, emphasizing the need for a dedicated champion to drive the product and ensure success.Listen closely for an inspiring success story from one of Oaky's clients, Radisson Hotels, who quickly and effectively onboarded their technology. Erik discusses the importance of breaking down departmental barriers, fostering collaboration to maximize upselling potential, and understanding your ideal customer profile.Discover how to leverage partnerships with AI companies and revenue management systems to maximize dynamic pricing through Oaky, creating an attractive whole product for your customers while still focusing on the upsell. Links:Follow Erik on LinkedInLearn more about OakyListen to the Oaky podcast on SpotifyResource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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

Imagine a world where transactions are so seamless that they become an afterthought, leaving more room for an unforgettable experience. In this episode, we sit down with James Lemon, the Global Lead for Travel & Leisure at Stripe, to unlock the secret to achieving this. With a background rooted in hospitality, James shares his insights on how Stripe is revolutionizing payments and financial infrastructure, both online and in-person.We take a closer look at how hospitality businesses can leverage Stripe's technology to remove friction in the customer experience. From reducing wait times at the checkout counter to streamlining B2B systems, James highlights real-world examples of successful Stripe implementations in the industry. Discover how hotel chains can use agile methodologies to pilot new technologies and learn about Stripe's potential to speed up the booking process by keeping customers on your site.Our chat with James doesn't stop at just the payment process. We delve into the creative ways established global companies like Hertz and Hoxton are utilizing technology to transform their businesses and offer unique customer experiences. Through partnerships with Stripe and other tech companies, these brands are able to innovate and stay ahead of the curve. Resource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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

Are you ready to upgrade your experience to delight your guests and grow your business?  Then you need to hear from seasoned hospitality leader Martin Soler, as we explore the barriers to innovation in the hospitality technology sector. In this fascinating discussion, we uncover how hoteliers often overlook the importance of technology in shaping the guest experience and dive into the challenges faced in adopting new technology.Through Martin's personal experience as a general manager - and the story of a recent stay at an independent hotel in Prague - we reveal how technology can create a seamless and magical guest experience when implemented correctly. You'll learn about the importance of proper product design and striking a balance between providing necessary features and maximizing the adoption of the technology. We also delve into the art of putting the guest first and how to make changes to existing processes to meet their expectations.Lastly, we address the friction that exists in the payment process for hoteliers and their guests, and how technology can help to alleviate it. Drawing on lessons from the success of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), we explore how hoteliers can improve their own processes.Follow Martin Soler on LinkedInVisit Martin's websiteResource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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

Today we're learning from Actabl CEO Steven Moore about the power of data in hospitality, and how technology can unlock insights that give you an advantage. We cover: Hospitality's adoption of technology and how Covid changed it [00:43]Opportunity with housekeeping and engineering [01:58]Using technology to attract and retain a new generation of hoteliers [02:47]The importance of having visibility of what's going on in hotel operations through data [03:35]"Moneyball” and hospitality [04:49]Being a GPS for the industry [08:00]Three types of risk to manage: market, financial, and operations [11:07]Maintaining the magic of hospitality for hoteliers through technology [12:44]Links:Learn more about ActablFollow Steven on LinkedInListen to our other episode with Steven: Finding motivation and meaning in your workResource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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

How do you create a remarkable experience for guests with technology?Join me in learning from Hanna Schiller, VP of Product at Ireckonu, about the complexities of hospitality technology and the importance of integration in delivering exceptional service.We dive into the challenges of siloed systems and how Ireckonu's middleware solution addresses these issues, while Hanna shares her journey and invaluable insights from her experience working with industry nonprofit HTNG. We also discuss the evolving traveler expectations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and offer practical advice on evaluating technology providers. Follow Hanna on LinkedInLearn more about IreckonuThis is part of our 2-week special on technology in hospitality. See our other episodes on technology here.Resource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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

Could "user disengagement" be a key to elevating your guest experience through technology? Join me as I explore this idea with Matt Welle, the CEO of Mews, a hospitality technology company. We also talk about the implications of technology on hiring, examples of hospitality companies that have implemented technology well, how to shop for technology, and what most excites him about the future. Follow Matt on LinkedInLearn more about MewsResource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Management: A Smarter, People-First Approach to Profitability 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