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5 Reasons Using A Qualified Consultant Could Make a Huge Difference in Your Hospitality Business
publication date: Nov 23, 2011
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author/source: Dr. John Hogan CHE CHA CMHS
AH&LA Knowledgebase 5 Reasons Using A Qualified Consultant Could Make a Huge Difference in Your Hospitality Business | By Dr. John Hogan CHE CHA CMHS "CEOs who don't use outside advice run the risk to internalizing too much. They never realize their full potential, and they miss a lot of opportunities." George Clement, CEO Clement Communication, Inc. There are CEOs of many descriptions and the weak economy reinforced that fact to me in a current assignment. I am in the middle of a four city series of programs for Meetings Quest 2010 where I am leading discussions and sharing ideas on optimizing meetings success. Attendees include professional meeting planners from corporations and associations of all sizes, hotel managers and sales teams, representatives from convention and visitors' bureaus, suppliers that serve all of the previous groups and independent professionals in the hospitality business. When I say I am "sharing ideas" and facilitating the general session, that role does not mean I am doing all of the talking. As a career hotelier and educator, I am leading discussions on ways to optimize meeting success from various perspectives of professional meeting planners and hotels. In each of the sessions to date, there has been almost 50% of the time for the program devoted to smaller group discussions on problems facing all of these professionals in the same industry, but that have slightly different roles and responsibilities. Those discussions have included certain elements of Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and #5 in particular - Seek First to Understand, and then to be Understood. The process is highly interactive and the groups are divided into smaller teams for active and inclusive discussions that involve literally everyone in the 100+ attendee audiences. Within the discussions, attendees first define the components of what may or may not be outside of their area of expertise and then defend or refine those definitions when challenged or questioned by others in the audience. This format requires guidance and a steady pace by the moderator with invigorating results for the group. The interactive discussions among the attendees appear to create a desire for continued dialogue. This leads me to the title of this short column - the use of qualified consultants as a means of acting as a change agent or a stimulant to progress through dialogue, thought, and discussion of alternatives and the creation of action plans. Many of us have heard that "A consultant is someone who borrows your watch to tell you the time, and then keeps the watch.1 " While the downside potential is clearly present when using external resources or consultants, there is also the upside of being able to address serious challenges and solve problems before they evolve into full-blown crises. Five Reasons Using a Qualified Consultant include:
Keys to Success Hospitality Tip of the Week: Focus on Continuous Learning Hotel Common Sense Philosophy #13 "Continuous Education is a must. We all need to be replenished. Study other winners, but NOT those in your profession." John Hogan, part of the 15 Timeless Philosophies In Hospitality A 2011 Keynote Address and Workshop KEYS TO SUCCESS is the umbrella title for my 2010-2011 programs, hospitality services and columns. This year's writings will focus on a wide variety of topics for hotel owners, managers and professionals including both my "HOW TO" articles and HOSPITALITY CONVERSATIONS. My segments Lessons from the Field, Hotel Common Sense and Principles for Success will be featured at appropriate times in the year as well. Feel free to share an idea for a column at info@hoganhospitality.com anytime or contact me regarding consulting, customized workshops, speaking engagements ... And remember - we all need a regular dose of common sense. 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 Co-Founder of a consortium (www.HospitalityEducators.com) of successful corporate and academic professionals delivering focused and affordable counsel in solving specific challenges facing hospitality today. www.HospitalityEducators.com is a membership site offering a wide range of information, forms, best practices and ideas that are designed to help individual hoteliers and hospitality businesses improve their market penetration, deliver service excellence and increase their profitability. Individuals wishing to contribute materials may send them Kathleen@HospitalityEducators.com. Special introductory pricing is in effect for a limited time that also includes a complimentary copy of LESSONS FROM THE FIELD- A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES. Consulting Expertise and Research Interest 1. Sales Management and training 2. Turn-around and revenue management 3. Professional Development for the Organization and the Individual 4. Customer Service 5. Making Cultural Diversity Real 6. Developing Academic Hospitality programs 7. Medical Lodging Consultants If you need assistance in any of these areas or simply an independent review or opinion on a hospitality challenge, contact me directly for a prompt response and very personalized attention. www.HoganHospitality.com Your Hospitality Resource for Hotel Owners, Innkeepers, Managers and AssociationsOrganization John Hogan, CHA MHS CHE www.hoganhospitality.com/ USA - Phoenix, AZ Phone: 602-799-5375 Email: info@hoganhospitality.com Follow us on: More News
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