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The Window into the future? Dec 26, 2011: The Window into the future | By Guest Columnist Terence Ronson

Featured in the hit TV series – Terra Nova, is a see through tablet-esque device called 'Plex'. This hand held unit [not at all similar in design to an iPad] allows it's teenage user to do homework, listen to music and just about anything else this demographic yearns in order to stop their world from falling apart.

In fact, when the 'core' of the Plex blew in the recent episode, the owner 'Maddy' went into an almost bi-polar state because - "I have everything on my Plex!" she cries.

Recent movies to include Mission Impossible, The Matrix, Avatar and TRON all exhibit one thing in common – SciFi futuristic gizmos. The super popular show CSI Miami employs a lot of holographic and head-up type displays to project images of corpses, maps and various other snippets of information adding to its excitement and state of wonderment by the viewing audience.

Top 10 Social Media Trends for 2012 Dec 24, 2011: Social media has seen some amazing innovations in the last few years, and it doesnt show signs of stopping any time soon. As more users turn to friends and connections to get answers to their questions, search engines are working hard to build social signals into their algorithms. Staying on top of social media is about working smart, not just working hard. Based on where the industry is moving, these ten trends should be strong influencers in 2012.

Skills of Great Entrepreneurs Dec 23, 2011: Randy Komisar, Partner at Kleiner Perkins, points out that hard working, smart entrepreneurs can fail due to variables they don't have control over. Market forces and current opportunities play a big role in whether or not an entrepreneur succeeds.

Hip Hotel and Social Media Trends for 2012 Dec 20, 2011: Apps was the buzz word for 2010, but Hotels for sure started to embrace apps in 2011 that enhanced guest experiences. Smart phones and tablets is starting to play an important part in a Hotels Marketing Strategy. As a result of this many Hotels experienced an increase in last minute or walk-in reservations.
New Hip Trends for 2012 will be revealed to Hotels that embrace Serve The Guest principles. Brand Champion Advocates will be the Hotels Trend setters.

Eye on Awareness—Hotel Security and Anti-terrorism Training™ Dec 12, 2011

Eye on Awareness—Hotel Security and Anti-terrorism Training™ Intro

Wisdom on life and the road to success: Rare Interviews with Michael Jordan Dec 12, 2011: Michael Jordan is one of the most successful people on the planet and has transcended any barrier previously known to any athlete. Not only the best basketball player of all time, but also a huge inspiration for everyone looking to succeed. Enjoy these clips on his great wisdom on life and the road to success.

Marketing, Brands and the Creativity of Business Dec 9, 2011: Americus Reed is an associate professor of marketing at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is the marketing department's only identity theorist, which means that he researches the role consumers' self concepts play in guiding buying decisions.

Year end 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition Dec 7, 2011: Rethinking Small Business Saturday

By Dr. John Hogan, CHE CHA CMHS

Richard Branson's Advice for Entrepreneurs Dec 6, 2011

A Harvard Business School Video Interview on Motivating Everyone on the Workforce Dec 4, 2011

Executives can get more value from their workforce if they recognize and motivate their B players.

Security Awareness Reminder Dec 2, 2011

Security Awareness Reminder

On May 1st 2011, President Obama announced the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden. Due to these events our status has increased to situational awareness. The alert is not unique to the hotel and resort areas and the increase in awareness is a precaution taken by tourist venues all across the world.

In light of recent world events that can impact tourism, I am referring the “No Reservations: Suspicious Behavior in Hotels" video put out by DHLS. This is a good opportunity to share this video with all of your associates. The lodging video is less than 10 minutes long and is shown in English and Spanish.

US Hotel Security Procedures- How do you measure? Dec 1, 2011

With the ten year anniversary of the US attack on 9/11/01 in mind, watch this brief video highlighting US hotel security procedures compared to those of countries with higher threats of terrorism.