Category Archives: Development

Development, Leadership

Igniting Potential and Advancing Careers: Championing Our Hospitality Team

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As someone immersed in the world of hospitality, I’ve seen firsthand how we, as leaders, can truly ignite talent and propel growth within our teams. Let me share some thoughts and experiences on how we can boost our team members’ potential and advocate for in-house movements. Let’s unpack some practical strategies to create a vibrant atmosphere and unleash the incredible abilities of our hospitality champions.

Fueling Progress: Employee Learning Programs

I’ve seen time and again that we, as an organization, hold the golden key to propel our team through focused learning programs. Through training, workshops, and mentorship, we arm our team with the right skills to excel. This dedication to growth shapes a motivated and connected crew, eager to rise to new challenges.

Crafting Success: Personal Development Plans (PDPs)

Each of our team members comes with unique dreams and abilities, and there’s nothing more rewarding than helping them grow. Personal development plans, created collaboratively, serve as roadmaps to align their ambitions with our company goals. This investment into their growth fosters commitment to our organization.

Nurturing Our Talent: Talent Management and Succession Planning

A big part of the game is talent nurturing, a key for long-term success. Effective talent management and succession planning help us spot the future leaders in our team and offer them growth opportunities. This approach ensures a smooth transfer of knowledge and upholds our high standards.

Branching Out: Job Rotation and Cross-Training

Encouraging our team to explore new roles and widen their skills is essential for personal growth. Initiatives like job rotation and cross-training expose them to different areas. This strategy not only sparks innovation but also reinforces teamwork.

Scaling New Heights: Internal Job Postings and Career Progression

Internal job postings and career progression programs are stepping stones within our organization. Openly advertising these opportunities fires up ambition and promotes loyalty. I’ve found that supporting in-house transfers and within the company develops individuals and fosters a culture of growth.

Cheering Achievements: Recognition and Rewards

A culture that celebrates successes and offers rewards breeds excellence. Recognizing our team’s wins and offering meaningful rewards reminds them that their work is valued. This recognition fuels pride and keeps the motivation high for more achievements.

Walking Together: Open Communication and Mentoring

Keeping the conversation going and offering support are essential in guiding our team on their professional journey. This open communication, paired with constructive feedback and guidance, instills confidence and a sense of belonging. As a mentor, I’ve seen team members navigate their career paths with newfound assurance.

The Importance of Talent Growth

From my experience as a General Manager, I’ve found that fostering talent growth is essential, not just for the team but for the organization as a whole. It boosts our reputation as a nurturing and supportive place to work, which naturally attracts more high-quality talent. It’s a positive cycle – the more we invest in our people, the more our reputation grows, drawing in more top-notch individuals who want to grow with us.

Being a leader in the hospitality sector, it’s a real privilege to be able to spark talent and fuel growth within our teams. By focusing on employee development, getting behind personalized growth plans, and building a supportive culture, we’re unlocking the full potential of our hospitality pros. Let’s create an environment together where dreams are realized, fantastic experiences are created, and our organization thrives.

Development

A Career that Takes You Places: Why the Hospitality Industry is the Perfect Fit for Adventurous Graduates

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Are you a recent graduate looking for an exciting and rewarding career? Look no further than the hospitality industry!

Our hotel has just signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a local university to offer internship programs at our hotel company. This is an incredible opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in the industry and jumpstart their careers.

This partnership reminded me of my own career journey, having started with internships, and inspired me to write this post and share some information about the various career opportunities available in the hospitality industry.

The hospitality industry is a dynamic field that offers a wide range of opportunities for recent graduates. From hotel management to food and beverage management, event planning, and tourism, there is something for everyone in this exciting industry.

One of my favorite things about working in hospitality is the opportunity to travel and work with a diverse group of people. I have had the privilege of visiting beautiful hotels and meeting guests from all over the world, being a part of creating unforgettable experiences for them.

It allowed me to work in Vienna, New York, Shanghai, and Bangkok and experience the local culture.

The industry also places a high value on skills such as customer service, communication, and teamwork. These are skills that will serve you well in any career and make you a highly desirable candidate to future employers. And I can tell you, it is true that the experience I gained in the industry and the knowledge I’ve acquired has been very valuable in my current role.

Additionally, the industry is constantly evolving with new technologies and trends, meaning there is always room for growth and advancement in your career.

At our hotel, we are thrilled to be offering internship opportunities through our partnership with the local university. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in the industry and jumpstart their careers, just like I did when I started my journey in the hospitality industry.

If you’re a recent graduate looking for a career that is challenging and rewarding, consider the hospitality industry. With a wide range of opportunities available, it may be the perfect fit for you.

Key Takeaways:

  • The hospitality industry offers a wide range of career opportunities for recent graduates
  • The industry values skills such as customer service, communication, and teamwork
  • The industry is constantly evolving with new technologies and trends, providing opportunities for growth and advancement
Development, How To

The Importance of Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry

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When I first started working in the hospitality industry almost 20 years ago, I didn’t fully understand the importance of sustainability. I thought of it as something that was nice to have, but not essential. But over time, I’ve come to realize that sustainability is not only important for the environment, but also for the success of a hotel or resort.

I remember one instance when I was working as a front desk agent, I had a guest who asked me about our recycling and sustainability programs. At the time, we didn’t fully embrace sustainability yet, and I remember feeling embarrassed and not knowing how to respond. But it made me realize that more and more guests are becoming environmentally conscious, and it’s important for hotels and resorts to have sustainable practices in place.

Since then, I’ve seen firsthand the benefits that sustainability can bring to a hotel or resort. For example, one hotel I worked at implemented a linen and towel reuse program, which not only helped to conserve water and energy, but also helped to reduce operating costs. Another hotel I worked at installed energy-efficient lighting and appliances, which not only helped to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint, but also helped to lower the hotel’s utility bills.

Sustainability has become an increasingly important issue in the hospitality industry in recent years. As more and more travelers are becoming environmentally conscious, hotels and resorts are being pressured to adopt sustainable practices. But why is sustainability important in the hospitality industry and how can hotels and resorts incorporate it into their business?

First and foremost, sustainability is important because it’s the right thing to do. The hospitality industry has a significant impact on the environment, and it’s our responsibility to minimize that impact as much as possible. This includes things like reducing energy and water consumption, using eco-friendly cleaning products, and properly managing waste.

Incorporating sustainability into a hotel or resort can also have financial benefits. By reducing energy and water consumption, hotels can save money on utility bills. In addition, many hotels are finding that guests are willing to pay more for sustainable accommodations. A survey by Booking.com found that 84% of travelers are willing to pay more for sustainable options, and 61% of travelers said that they would choose a sustainable hotel over a non-sustainable one.

Sustainability also helps hotels and resorts to differentiate themselves from their competitors. As more and more travelers are looking for sustainable options, hotels that can demonstrate their commitment to the environment can attract environmentally conscious guests. In a survey by TripAdvisor, 72% of travelers said that they would choose a hotel with a strong environmental reputation over one without.

There are many ways hotels and resorts can incorporate sustainability into their business. Some examples include:

  • Installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances: This can help to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills.
  • Implementing recycling programs: This can help to reduce waste and minimize the hotel’s impact on the environment.
  • Using eco-friendly cleaning products: This can help to reduce the hotel’s chemical footprint and minimize the impact on indoor air quality.
  • Implementing linen and towel reuse program: This can help to conserve water and energy and reduce operating costs.
  • Offering sustainable transportation options: This can include things like offering electric car charging stations or providing bicycles for guests to use.
  • Offering sustainable food options: This can include things like sourcing local and organic food, or offering plant-based options.
  • Offering sustainable activities: This can include things like eco-tours, or providing information on sustainable things to do and see in the area.

In conclusion, sustainability is not only important for the environment, but also for the bottom line of hotels and resorts. By incorporating sustainable practices and offering sustainable options, hotels and resorts can attract environmentally conscious guests, save money on utility bills, and differentiate themselves from their competitors. It’s important for hotels and resorts to understand the importance of sustainability and to implement sustainable practices to minimize their impact on the environment and create a better experience for their guests.

Development, Leadership

The Power of Teamwork in the Hotel Industry

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When it comes to providing exceptional service to guests, the hotel industry relies on the power of teamwork. From the moment a guest books their stay to the moment they check out, the staff at a hotel plays a crucial role in ensuring that their experience is memorable. And while individual employees may have their own areas of expertise, it’s the collaborative efforts of a team that truly make a hotel run like a well-oiled machine.

But why is teamwork so important in the hotel industry? Here are a few reasons:

  • Improved guest experience: When employees work together as a team, they are able to provide a better guest experience. I’ve seen firsthand how a team of front desk employees who communicate effectively and work together to resolve guest issues results in happy guests who are more likely to return to the hotel.
  • Increased productivity: When employees work together as a team, they are able to accomplish more than they would individually.
  • Better problem-solving: Teams are able to come up with more creative solutions to problems than individuals. When employees from different departments worked together to solve a difficult guest complaint, they came up with an innovative solution that not only satisfied the guest but also improved our hotel’s overall service.
  • Enhanced employee morale: When employees feel like they are part of a team and their contributions are valued, they are more motivated and satisfied with their job. When employees feel that they are part of a team and are recognized for their hard work, they are more motivated to continue to provide excellent service to our guests.
  • Cost savings: Teams can work together to identify areas where cost savings can be made.

So, how can hotel management foster a culture of teamwork within their organization? Here are a few tips:

  • Clearly define roles and responsibilities: Make sure each team member knows their role and what is expected of them. This helps to avoid confusion and ensures that everyone is working towards the same goals.
  • Encourage open communication: Create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback. This helps to build trust and fosters a sense of collaboration.
  • Lead by example: Hotel management should model the behavior they expect from their team members and foster a positive work environment that promotes teamwork and collaboration.
  • Recognize and reward teamwork: Recognize and reward team members for their contributions to the team’s success. This helps to build a sense of pride and ownership among team members, which can lead to increased motivation and productivity.
  • Provide opportunities for training and development: Invest in your team members by providing them with opportunities for training and development. This helps to build a skilled and motivated team that is better equipped to work together effectively.
  • Celebrate successes: Take the time to celebrate the team’s successes, big or small. This helps to build a sense of camaraderie and promotes a positive work environment.
  • Encourage feedback and suggestions: Encourage team members to give feedback and suggestions on how to improve teamwork. And act on that feedback, this can help identify and solve issues that might be hindering teamwork.

In conclusion, teamwork is essential for the smooth operation and success of any hotel. By fostering open communication, a positive work environment, and opportunities for team-building, hotel management can create a culture of collaboration that benefits both the hotel and its guests.

Development, Uncategorized

Why Setting Goals is the Best Thing Ever

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It’s a new year, and you know what that means – it’s time to set some goals! Goal setting might seem like a drag, but trust me, it’s actually super exciting (and totally worth it). When you set goals, you’re basically creating a roadmap for your life. You get to decide where you want to go and what you want to achieve, and then you get to work towards making it happen. How cool is that?

But setting goals isn’t just about dreaming big. It’s also about being smart about it. That’s why you’ve probably heard of SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These are the five key elements of any good goal, and they help you turn your big dreams into a concrete plan of action.

So, what kind of goals should you set? That’s totally up to you! You can set personal goals, professional goals, short-term goals, long-term goals, or a mix of all of the above. The important thing is that your goals are meaningful to you and align with your values and priorities.

Once you’ve set your goals, it’s time to get to work. That’s where the real fun begins! Sure, there will be setbacks and challenges along the way, but that’s all part of the journey. When you overcome those challenges and achieve your goals, it’s a feeling like no other. So don’t be afraid to celebrate your progress and accomplishments along the way. Whether it’s something as simple as treating yourself to a small reward or sharing your progress with a friend or colleague, it’s important to recognize and appreciate the progress you’re making.

Goal setting isn’t just important for individuals, it’s also crucial for leaders and teams. When everyone on a team has a clear understanding of their goals and how they contribute to the overall goals of the organization, it can improve teamwork, communication, and productivity. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want to be part of a successful team?

So, as the new year begins, take some time to think about what you want to achieve in the coming year. And don’t be afraid to dream big! Setting goals is the first step towards making your dreams a reality. And remember, it’s not just about achieving your goals – it’s about enjoying the journey and celebrating your progress along the way.

Development, Leadership

IF you want to be a leader…

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start with taking ownership and adopting a growth mindset!

Most people with whom I worked with in my career wanted to get ahead and become a leader.

However, many expected this to somewhat automatically happen to them. If they would just work long enough in their position and become more senior, getting promoted would then eventually just be inevitable and others would look at them as leaders, right?

You probably already know the answer!

If you want to be a leader, you have to first take full ownership of what happens to you and adopt a growth mindset:

Continue reading IF you want to be a leader… →

Development

Feeling like you’re out of energy?

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You’re feeling like you’re out of energy, and working everyday from early mornings to late evenings just doesn’t seem to make any sense any more? You’re probably not alone, and it’s important to know that you can do something about this. Here are my top 5 tips to get your energy back! Continue reading Feeling like you’re out of energy? →
Development, How To

Forget about work-life balance!

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Forget about work-life balance in its traditional sense! Work-life balance in its traditional 9 to 5 sense is gone and a relic of the past. Does anyone really work from 9 am to 5 pm Monday’s to Friday’s anymore? I doubt it, and definitely not in hospitality!

Work-life balance has changed, and it’s important to understand how and why it changed, and how you need to adjust your understanding of it to stay happy and content with your everyday life.

Work-life balance should be measured by how happy you are, and how much energy you have for what matters most to you. If you love what you do, and if you are passionate about what you do, you never have to work a single day in your life. You probably heard this before, and while this statement is a bit of a stretch, there definitely is truth to it.

If you love what you do, you will feel energized and happy, if you don’t love what you do, every task is a burden and work can be very draining… and if work is draining, then work-life balance in it’s traditionial 9 to 5 sense is very necessary to stay happy and healthy. Continue reading Forget about work-life balance! →

Development

Why you should start a career with W Bangkok!

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Why you should start a career with W Bangkok when there are so many other options in Bangkok with many new exciting hotel projects coming up every year?

When I first started this blog I talked about why you should start a career in hospitality to begin with. It’s a journey that’s challenging, but always exciting! Every day is different, you gain many experiences in different departments, and the best part… it’s all about people! And not to forget, you get to travel the world, if you choose to do so.

Now I want to talk about why you should choose a career with W Bangkok over any other hotel in the city.

More and more hotels are opening up in Bangkok each year, and graduates have more and more options to choose from. But not all options, as exciting as they may look at first, will help you build the right foundation for your career. Continue reading Why you should start a career with W Bangkok! →

Development, Leadership

Don’t Let Great Ideas Die

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I have now worked in five different hotels over the past decade and all of them had one thing in common. People would tell me about all the great things that they used to do or all the great ideas that they have had in the past, but that just disappeared or never even happened.

Why is that? We know that a lot of people have great ideas all the time, know what’s wrong and what needs improvement, so why is it that only few succeed?

1111_idea_400x280 Continue reading Don’t Let Great Ideas Die →

Development, Leadership

Fake It Until You Become It

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We have all heard how important body language is and that only a small percentage of communication involves actual words. Only 7% of communication, to be exact. In fact, 55% of communication is visual (body language, eye contact) and 38% is vocal (pitch, speed, volume, tone of voice). So we understand that it’s probably a good idea to focus on our body language and how we are being perceived by others. Are you standing straight with an open and powerful posture or are you trying to make yourself smaller? All this has an effect of how well we are being perceived by others.

We have also learned that sometimes we have to fake until we make it. When we are going for a job interview or we are starting a new job and it’s our first day, chances are that we are a little bit out of our comfort zone (if not it probably means that we are jumping from job to job too often). Looking at our body language and focusing on high power postures rather than lower power postures can make a big difference.

We know that how we feel does influence our body language, and Amy Cuddy is proving that the exact opposite works as well. Our body language (even if only faked) does influence our mind and how we feel about ourselves.

Take a moment to watch Amy’s speech ‘Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are’ on TED and learn her inspiring story (in my opinion one of the best TED talks).

Continue reading Fake It Until You Become It →

Development, Leadership

Rule #1 Don’t Get Comfortable!

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Everything is difficult before it gets easy, and what was once out of your comfort zone now belongs to your daily routine. So our goal should be to become most comfortable at our job, correct?

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In contrary our goal should be to always look for opportunities and challenges that push us out of our comfort zone and help us grow further. If we never step out of our comfort zone and make mistakes, we never learn new things and our career stagnates.

Don’t be happy if you know all the answers and know how everything works, don’t be happy if you are the smartest person in the room, and look for ways to continue to challenge yourself.

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Development, Leadership

The Only Thing Standing Between You And Your Goals Is…

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The only thing standing between you and your goals is more than what the Wolf of Wall Street is trying to tell us.

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It’s not just being afraid to follow your goals for one reason or another, it’s having a clear understanding of what your goals really are to begin with.

‘What are my goals’, is one of the most important questions you can ask yourself at the beginning of your journey and your career in hospitality!

I am recruiting graduates from hotel management schools for the position of housekeeping floor manager now for years, and my experience is that many, if not most, do not have clearly defined goals and are rushed to get promoted as fast as possible, and definitely faster than their peers from school. Continue reading The Only Thing Standing Between You And Your Goals Is… →

Development, Leadership

Do You Have The Right Attitude To Succeed?

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You come to work on Monday morning after a rejuvenating weekend with your loved one, and get confronted by a coworker with a negative attitude within the first ten minutes… you kept working endless hours over the weekend to complete the project in time for the upcoming presentation and put in endless efforts, but your peers missed the deadline and your presentation got cancelled… you always try to do your best and work hard, and the person next to you is sleeping on the wheel, yet there is no sign of accountability… other people in your organization have ulterior motives and employ unethical techniques to advance themselves…

Does any of this sound familiar to you?

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Don’t get yourself in the victim role and develop a negative mindset, but rather continue to focus on yourself and on doing the right thing. I am not saying that you shouldn’t hold people accountable to their behavior, actions and performance (without it your business cannot succeed), but you cannot make it personal either, get emotional about it, or let it change anything of who you are and what you believe in. If you believe in Karma and that one’s actions always have consequences, even if you yourself are not able to address it or do anything about it, you can trust that no one gets away with cutting corners or unethical behavior. Focus on being at your best every day and on growing the people around you the best you can, and you will always have a feeling of accomplishment by the end of the day.

I have come across a lot of smart people with the skill set to be very successful in their role, and who yet fail to work as a team, fail to get the best out of their teams and coworkers, and fail to deliver the expected results because of their attitude.

If you believe that 10% in life is what happens to you, things that you cannot control, and 90% your attitude about it, you know what you have to focus on first – yourself and your outlook on things!

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Development

Do You Have The Right Perspective On Your Career?

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What’s my career goal, is one of the most important questions you can ask yourself at the beginning of your journey and your career in hospitality!

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I am recruiting graduates from hotel management schools for the position of housekeeping floor manager now for years, and my experience is that many, if not most, do not have clearly defined goals and are rushed to get promoted as fast as possible, and definitely faster than their peers from school. Continue reading Do You Have The Right Perspective On Your Career? →

Development, Guest Services, Leadership

What You Must Know About Five Star Service – Never Assume!

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I recently attended a Forbes five-stars training at my hotel. The Forbes trainer started the training by explaining how it feels to receive five-star service as a guest, and the genuine care and attention to detail that come with it. The trainer continued that while many of us have been working in the hotel industry for very many years and believe to exactly know our customers that we should never assume that a certain guest doesn’t care about us offering service that goes beyond and only cares about the basics. Continue reading What You Must Know About Five Star Service – Never Assume! →

Development, Guest Services

Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Takes Customer Service To The Next Level

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Jeff Bezos takes customer service to the next level, and is planning to have packages delivered within only 30 minutes of ordering! How is this possible? Click on video below and you’ll find out how. For more details read the related article in the Washington Post.

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If you enjoyed reading this post you can share it with your network by clicking any of the followbuttons below and don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for the newest posts!

Development, Leadership

The Ant – A Tale About Micro-Management

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Every morning the busy ant came to work happy and motivated, joyfully singing her song. She loved her job, and spend most of her days working hard. The ant continued being busy and working hard for years, but without anyone to supervise her or constantly tell her what to do.

a-bug-s-life-pixar-67315_1024_768A Bug’s Life Pixar

The general manager, a big fat bug, recognized soon that it could not continue with these unacceptable working conditions and hired a supervisor to enhance control and with it productivity. He hired the beetle with plenty of experience in the work field and excellent references. The first matter of business for the beetle was to standardize the working hours of the ant, and to accomplish this he started compiling reports that would keep track of the working hours of the ant. He purchased and installed a time clock to help monitoring the hours of the ant and to help him with the paper work. Continue reading The Ant – A Tale About Micro-Management →

Development, Leadership

The Greatest Challenge of Any Luxury Hotelier

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The greatest challenge of any luxury hotelier is without any doubt change. Not change itself, but the hesitation to let go of the status quo and the past, and to embrace the future… to embrace the future and with that to stay relevant.

At every single luxury hotel I worked so far, employees would always tell me about the golden past, how everything was better years ago and how things are going down nowadays. They would tell me about the sumptuous flower bouquets in every guest room, the abundance of luxury amenities, and how money didn’t matter. How our guests would all be dressed in the finest suits and dresses, and how glamorous and ostentatious everything was. With the words of Bob Dylan the times they are a changin’… you cannot stop change.

Our guests don’t define luxury in material goods like flowers and amenities anymore, they define it by experiencing and collecting enriching experiences. They define luxury with service that goes beyond.

My wife and I visited the W Koh Samui on our vacation to Thailand at the beginning of the year, and while the hotel was fantastic, it’s not the breathtaking view, nor our amazingly beautiful villa with the private pool, and the fine dining restaurant we keep talking about, it’s the service that stayed in our memories long after our departure. Unfortunately my wife got food poisoning from the food at the airport and got sick as soon as we arrived at the property. In the evening while we we’re trying to eat a little at the restaurant and hoping for her to get better, the waiter noticed that she didn’t feel well and offered assistance.

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W Retreat Koh Samui

While he wasn’t able to help himself, he right away got the director of rooms, who arranged the hotel limousine for us and asked one of his employees to escort us to the hospital to stay with us until we would return to the property later that night. Once my wife got better and we came back to the hotel, they arranged some porridge in our villa with a note for her to get better soon. We felt that the hotel truly cared about us, and that we built a connection with the people working there. Continue reading The Greatest Challenge of Any Luxury Hotelier →

Development

The Power of Branding And The Best Ads You Have Ever Seen

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Great brands are more than just a name, sign or logo, great brands are a promise to deliver an experience and a feeling that you’ll get when you use the product. Great brands connect with you emotionally.

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Image courtesy of Suwit Ritjaroon at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

While looking at the ads below try to be conscious of how you are feeling about the brand and the product. Most ads don’t talk much about the product itself and try to connect with you emotionally.

Continue reading The Power of Branding And The Best Ads You Have Ever Seen →