Hospitality Tip of the Week™: Focus on Action
An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea. Buddha

In my various roles as an educator, a keynote speaker, a consultant and or a hospitality executive, I have learned there are many ways to share stories that effectively communicate the message. While I enjoy leading workshops, I have also discovered that carefully using a blend of people in a panel who are peers to the group can dramatically increase interaction, audience participation and achieve the end result of communicating the desired message.

Over the last few years, I have served as a panelist at some large venues such as the International Hotel & Restaurant Show in New York City and at a number of hospitality industry events and conventions including an annual CHRIE (Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Educators.) meeting. I have also had the privilege of serving as the panel moderator at such events as an annual AAHOA meeting, several AH&LA meetings and at a number of brand conventions.

In this latter role, I have also learned it takes a certain amount of skill and tact to balance the inevitable egos that may surface on panels, especially if the topic is controversial or if there are perhaps competing brand representatives trying to gain position.

Below are seven questions I used at a very successful program on Guest Service for an international organization. The panelists were all operating general managers and/or owners of properties of different sizes, locations, service levels and prices. There were more questions in the session and there was Q&A with the audience at this particular program, The five panelists had a preview of some of the questions, but there was no limit set on responses.

7 Sample Questions

  1. How do you define excellent Customer Service?
  2. How do you compete with the brands or chains that offer a 100% guarantee? (Looking for specific examples)
  3. We often hear that line level employees feel they do not have enough empowerment to succeed at their jobs. What do you do at your hotel?
  4. Who follows up at your hotel if there is a problem? What about the guest who has already left and you learn about a problem?
  5. Can you share some examples of providing excellence in service in areas outside of the front office?
  6. Can you describe and share a funny or amusing customer service problem that had happened to you as a consumer and had a negative ending? What might have been done to turn this around?
  7. Can you quantify PROFITABILITY with delivering better service?

I have found that these HOTELIER HELPING HOTELIER Panels can have a major and positive impact on an overall program, but they must be well moderated and the panelists set at ease, especially if this is their first time to participate. If readers are interested in some of the answers to these questions, send me a note and I will recap them in a future column. I would also be interested in supporting your association or company meeting in this manner or with some other program that meets your needs

Success does not come by accident or chance. Contact us for assistance – [email protected] or 602-799-5375HospitalityEducators.com was created to help hospitality businesses address problems via a training and information resource site to help you increase your Hotel's revenue, market share and profitability. With more than 700 pages of tips, guides, best practices, strategies, plans, budgets, videos and resources, HospitalityEducators.com is the number 1 website for independent hotel owners and managers. This site can help you solve your problems now! Read MoreSpecial Anniversary Pricing For a Limited Time in July 2011
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KEYS TO SUCCESS™ is the umbrella title for my 2011 programs, hospitality services and columns. This year's writings focus on a variety of topics for hotel owners, managers and professionals including both my "HOW TO" articles, HOSPITALITY CONVERSATIONS™, Lessons from the Field™, Hotel Common Sense™ , THE P-A-R PRINCIPLE
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John Hogan is a successful hospitality executive, educator, author and consultant and is a frequent keynote speaker and seminar leader at many hospitality industry events. He is CEO and Co-Founder of HospitalityEducators.com , which has more than 2000 resource pages and has become the #1 independent website for hotel owners and managers. He is also the Principal of HoganHospitality.com , which offers hotel expert witness services and hospitality consulting..

Contact us for assistance – [email protected] 602-799-5375 HoganHospitality.com : [email protected]

KEYS TO SUCCESS™ is the umbrella title for our programs, hospitality services and columns. This year's writings focus on a variety of topics for hotel owners, managers and professionals including both my "HOW TO" articles, HOSPITALITY CONVERSATIONS™, Lessons from the Field™, Hotel Common Sense™, THE P-A-R PRINCIPLE™ and Principles for Success.

All rights reserved by John Hogan and this column may be included in an upcoming book on hotel management. This article may not be reproduced without the expressed permission of the author. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

John Dr. John Hogan CHA CMHS CHE CHO
Dr. John Hogan CHA CMHS CHE CHO

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