HPG Advisory, Author at HPG Advisory Services I Hospitality Leadership Advisory

Briefing: hospitality is more than a job

Posted on April 24, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Traditional career paths are changing and new roles are opening up within hospitality. Still there are some pieces of advice that will always be relevant. Grasping opportunities and experiencing how a business works is important. Having an understanding that extends beyond your own role or department is invaluable.

The industry has its own set of values and core skills. In this briefing four experts share their experience and offer insight into hospitality careers:

Paul Pisani, SVP – Hotel Development, Corinthia Hotels on the wide range of the hospitality industry
Michael Devereux, Director – Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts on the hospitality industry offering many career paths
Sinai Pedreschi, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Stafford London by Kempinski with advice for new recruits to the hospitality industry
Mohammed Al Nashwan, Chairman & Managing Director, HARTT Hotel Consulting on hospitality being a lifestyle, not a job

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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: maintaining motivation and loyalty in colleagues

Posted on April 17, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

A motivated team member is infinitely more valuable than a stifled or disengaged one. Both new talent and top executives are more likely to be loyal if they are offered opportunities to grow and have an active involvement in company achievements.

How important is it to provide avenues for professional development? In this briefing leaders in the hospitality industry discuss their experience of motivating and encouraging staff. With comment from:

Christine Hodder, General Manager at The Stafford London by Kempinski on motivating staff and developing team players.
Bob Loewen, COO of Wyndham Hotel Group on people being a core philosophy.
William Heinecke, Chairman & CEO of Minor Group on getting staff loyalty through empowerment
Amine Moukarzel, President of Golden Tulip Hotels on retaining top staff through motivation

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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: the ‘big data’ minefield

Posted on April 10, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

The digital economy is producing unparalleled amounts of data, in part due to increased customer engagement through social media and online platforms. Simultaneously, the capability of technology and data management systems is progressing rapidly, allowing the vast silos of data within the hotel industry to be put to good use.

This briefing looks at the process of analysing the hospitality industry using data and the issues that arise from increased access to valuable and sensitive information. Comment from:

Wolfgang Neumann, President & CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group on managing customer data
Carlo Gagliardi, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers on why hotels must use big data wisely
Andrew Boshoff, Head of Strategy & Development at Global Hotel Alliance on creating smart, usable data.
Elizabeth Winkle, Managing Director of STR Global on crunching data for the hotel industry

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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: a sustainable future for hospitality

Posted on April 3, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Sustainable innovation is a phenomenon invading the consciousness of the hospitality industry. While it is not always a priority above profit margins and customer satisfaction we are seeing more integration of sustainable thinking within business strategy.

Sustainability includes making environmentally friendly adaptations within hotel design and providing economic sustainability by improving local relationships. Implementation of these ideas will give longevity to the industry. In this briefing we hear from a variety of professionals who are embracing the concept, including:

Denis Sorin, CEO of Mangalis Management Group on sustainable development in the hospitality industry
Margaret McMahon, Managing Director of Wimberly Interiors on sustainable design in hospitality
Amine Moukarzel, President of Golden Tulip Hotels on seeking out profit and sustainability for owners
Russel Sharpe, COO in the Hotel Division of Landmark Hospitality on biting the bullet on sustainability

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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: establishing hotel product for new markets

Posted on March 13, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Hotel brands are expanding across new and exciting global markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In order to fully exploit these vast opportunities, brands must first analyse the needs and expectations in their chosen location. A successful product will be established in a way that embraces the ideas emerging from these unique markets and will avoid using a “cookie-cutter” approach.

Brands are adapting their business strategies to incorporate a sense of place, while maintaining the standards and services which differentiate them from their competitors. This briefing includes case studies and comments from:

Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP- Development, Europe and Africa at Hilton Worldwide on giving an African flavour to their services

Jean-Jacques Dessors, COO – Middle East, Africa, Indian Ocean & Caribbean Island, Accor SA on responding to market needs

Susan Harmsworth, founder of ESPA on marrying brand standards with a strong sense of place

Darroch Crawford, Managing Director of Premier Inn Hotels LLC on tweaking a product to fit the market

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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: the threat and opportunity of Online Travel Agents

Posted on February 20, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Online travel agents have embraced the digital world as a new business platform. They have taken full advantage of the low costings, have shaken up the industry, and have forced prices down.

The efficient booking processes appeal to today’s time-strapped, bargain-hunting customers. While this is a fantastic way for brands to distribute their product to a large market, there is a risk that appearing on OTA sites will reduce direct engagement with the hotel’s own online presence.

In this briefing we have expert discussion on the changing relationship between OTA’s and hoteliers. Comment from:

Amine Moukarzel, President of Golden Tulip Hotels on the vital role of online travel agents

Pascal Gauvin COO – India, Middle East & Africa of InterContinental Hotels Group with tips on managing the OTA relationship

Russel Sharpe, COO in the Hotel Division of Landmark Hospitality on OTAs being a necessary evil

Satyan Joshi, Industry Manager for travel at Google on the way hoteliers view the OTA footprint

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Briefing: youth shaping the future of hospitality in the Middle East

Posted on February 13, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

The growing population of young people within the Middle East is formidable, both the domestic population and the increased immigration into the region. This new generation will become tomorrow’s CEOs and General Managers and they are wired differently to any generation the world has ever seen.

As this demographic increases there are enormous opportunities for the hospitality industry, not only for them to be potential customers but also as potential colleagues.

What needs to be done to encourage talent into the industry? How should the industry change to cater for new tastes? And how should leaders impart their experience and knowledge to educate this new workforce? We hear from experts aiming to answer these questions including:

Pascal Gauvin, COO – India, Middle East & Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group on the growth of the domestic market in the Middle East.

Badr Al Badr, CEO of Saudi Hotels & Resorts (SHARACO) on workforce conditions in Saudi Arabia.

Muhammad Al-Amir, Founder & MD of Riyada International Hotels and Resorts on bringing the new generation into hospitality

Gabriel Matar, former Director – Middle East & Africa, Hotels & Hospitality Group, Jones Lang LaSalle on the young population’s demand for hotels.

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Briefing: impacts of digital technology on hospitality

Posted on February 6, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

In the modern world the way we receive information and the place we go for news, views and updates is through a connected device. Whether that be a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile, digital technology is so engrained in life that we don’t even think about it.

As an industry inherently involved in relationships with people, it is imperative that we embrace instant communication and have a strong understanding of how all these tools fit together. In this briefing we hear from 4 experts on how it is affecting the world as they see it. Including:

Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor of CBS News on the increased exposure digital platforms can afford you

Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP – Development, Europe & Africa of Hilton Worldwide on why embracing technology is integral for success

Taras Ettl, VP – Development, Middle East & Africa of InterContinental Hotels Group on how technology has impacted IHG

Andrew McLachlan, VP – Business Development, Africa & Indian Ocean Islands of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group on the communications revolution

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Briefing: the future of Europe

Posted on January 23, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

An established market like Europe is one which comes with intrigue, pitfalls and opportunity. The harsh reality of the recession has allowed businesses to reassess and re-analyse growth strategies for their organisations.

There is no doubt that Europe is a complex environment with huge opportunities in certain markets, next to markets which you would struggle to understand any involvement at all. In this briefing we hear expert opinions on the European market and the optimism they see for the continent. Including comment from:

Majid Mangalji, President of Westmont Hospitality Group on the difficult times Europe has faced

Philippe Baretaud, SVP – Head of Development Europe, Middle East & Africa for Accor SA on exponential expansion for Eastern Europe

Patrick Sanville, Director – Hotels of BNP Paribas Real Estate on the silver lining the recession has bought

Nick Skea-Strachan, Partner – Hotels of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP on Southern Europe continuing to struggle

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Briefing: Government’s contribution to hospitality

Posted on January 16, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Hospitality is one of the most stable sectors globally. There is no doubt that the long-term projection for the industry is incredibly healthy with travel and tourism going from strength to strength. Why then are global governments not paying that much attention? And how should the industry change this?

In this briefing we hear from experts who are looking to demonstrate to global governments why hospitality is an incredibly vibrant industry to be investing in. Including comment from:

David Thomson, COO of JA Resorts & Hotels on getting the attention of government

Paul Slattery, Director of Otus & Co Advisory Ltd on why governments should get their act together

Nick van Marken, Partner & Global Head – Travel, Hospitality & Leisure of Deloitte LLP on new leaders needed to bring back optimism

And Gaël Le Lay, Head of Hotel Investment of AXA Real Estate on why governments shouldn’t get involved…

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