Category Archives: Episode

Personalizing the Guest Experience for a Deeper Connection. TSHS-0088

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In this episode, Atiba de Souza, CEO and founder of Client Attraction Pros, discusses the role of hospitality in building communities and combating loneliness. Atiba shares his background in entrepreneurship and how it has shaped his perspective on business. He emphasizes the importance of having a bigger purpose and making a positive impact on others.

Atiba also highlights the need for the hospitality industry to move away from transactional interactions and focus on creating genuine connections with guests.

He suggests leveraging technology to create virtual communities and personalizing the guest experience. Additionally, Atiba discusses the challenges and opportunities in serving vulnerable populations and fostering inclusivity in the industry.

When people show up and they see someone that they feel like they know, it’s actually called a parasocial relationship.”

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Revolutionizing Hospitality: Sustainable Solutions and Enhanced Guest Experiences. TSHS-0087

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Revolutionizing Hospitality: Sustainable Solutions and Enhanced Guest Experiences.

There are low-cost, high-impact sustainability initiatives… that don’t cost any money and are easy to implement.”

In this episode, Sam-Erik Rutman interviews Sue Graves, CEO of Experience Alive, about sustainability in the hospitality industry. They discuss the importance of sustainability reporting, key elements of a comprehensive sustainability report, and affordable sustainable practices that businesses can adopt. Sue shares success stories of hotels and businesses that have implemented sustainable solutions and seen a reduction in expenses. They also discuss the future trends of robotics and AI in the industry and the need for training and development to attract and retain future hospitality leaders.

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How to fix common digital marketing mistakes independent hotels make. TSHS-0086

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How to fix common digital marketing mistakes independent hotels make.

In this episode, Adam Sinkus, the managing partner of A-Purpose Partnership, and I discuss digital marketing for independent hotels.

We discuss the importance of having a clear marketing message that aligns with the overall brand and customer experience.

We also explore integrating traditional marketing channels with digital strategies and the value of community involvement. Adam shares common mistakes small to mid-sized businesses make in social media marketing and emphasizes the need for consistency and engagement. We also touch on the trend of creating destination experiences for travelers. The conversation provides practical tips and insights for hoteliers looking to improve their digital marketing efforts.

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Key to Resilience and Adaptability in the Travel Industry. TSHS-0085

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Key to Resilience and Adaptability in the Travel Industry.

Brian Chappon, CEO and founder of Centered Travel Wellness, shares his journey and the creation of a digital lifestyle platform for wellness-focused travelers. He discusses the importance of resilience and the ability to adapt in the face of challenges. Brian emphasizes the value of listening to customers and creating a human-centric experience in the hospitality industry. He also highlights the need for authenticity and trust in curating experiences for travelers. The conversation explores the trends in the industry, including the role of technology and the importance of wellness in travel.

Takeaways

Resilience and adaptability are crucial qualities for entrepreneurs in the travel industry. Listening to customers and creating a human-centric experience is essential for success.

Authenticity and trust are key in curating experiences for travelers. Technology plays a role in enhancing the guest experience, but human contact and personalization are still important.

The trend in the hospitality industry is to focus on wellness and create meaningful experiences for guests.

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Attracting Talent: Treat recruitment like modern marketing. TSHS – 084

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Attracting Talent: How Hotels Are Transforming Recruitment into Marketing.

Summary

The recruitment process in the hospitality industry is changing, and hotels need to treat it like modern marketing. Selling the destination and the dream is important in attracting potential employees. The hotel’s brand story and values play a significant role in attracting job seekers. Recruitment is becoming more like marketing, and differentiation is key in telling a compelling brand story.

 

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Mastering Leadership in Hospitality: Insights on Challenges, Change, and Connection. TSHS-083

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Mastering Leadership in Hospitality: Insights on Challenges, Change, and Connection. In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Summer Jelinek, a leadership expert with 20 years of hospitality experience. They discuss the challenges of leadership, the importance of personal connections in business, and the changing landscape of the workplace. Summer emphasizes the need for leaders to manage themselves first and adapt their leadership style to meet the needs of their team. They also explore the trends in automation and technology in the hospitality industry, highlighting the importance of balancing technology with human interaction. Summer provides valuable insights and practical advice for leaders in navigating the future of work.

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Why Blue Zone Retreats Work TSHS-082

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Why Blue Zone Retreats Work – discussion with Celine Vadam, Head of Retreats. In this episode, Sam-Erik Rutmann discusses Blue Zone retreats with Celine Vadam, the founder and CEO of a wellbeing concept consultancy WE(i)Think. We explore the uniqueness of Blue Zone retreats, the proliferation of wellness retreats in the market, and the importance of regulation and quality control in the retreat industry. Blue Zone retreats offer a holistic approach to wellness, allowing individuals to integrate the principles into their own lives. The retreats focus on moving naturally, eating wisely, downshifting, and having a sense of purpose. The Blue Zones company has conducted research on areas where people live the longest and has identified nine principles for a long and healthy life. The Blue Zone retreats provide practical life coaching exercises and create a safe space for emotional exploration. Consumers seeking reputable retreats should do their research, seek recommendations, and ensure the retreat aligns with their goals and values.

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Hotel Marketing Mastery: Insider Tips to Skyrocket Your Room Bookings! TSHS – 081

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Hotel Marketing Mastery: Insider Tips to Skyrocket Your Room Bookings!

In this episode, Brandon Leibowitz, the founder of SEO Optimizer, shares insights on digital marketing for the hotel industry. The conversation covers search engine optimization, content marketing, social media marketing, pay-per-click advertising, email marketing, analytics, conversion rate optimization, customer relationship management, and the future of automation in hotels. Brandon also shares a cutting-edge tip that not only enhances user engagement but also significantly boosts booking conversion rates by providing a realistic preview of what guests can expect..

🎁 Brandon also offers a gift and website analysis for listeners. Go to https://seooptimizers.com/gift/

☕️ Hey 👋🏻I have created a page here. Now you can buy me a coffee. 😊https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SamErik

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Enhancing Guest Experience in Hospitality with Amazon’s Principles. TSHS-080

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In this episode, Steve Anderson, an expert and author of The Bezos Letters, discusses examples of the principles of growing a business like Amazon. He shares insights on customer obsession, day-one mentality, high-velocity decision-making, and more. The conversation also delves into applying these principles in the hospitality industry and the impact of automation and regenerative leadership.

🔥 Join us as we delve into:

  • Embrace the Unplanned Path: Just as Anderson stumbled into authorship from an attempt to distill lessons into an executive summary, be open to the unexpected directions your hospitality career may lead you. What starts as a small initiative or a simple project could blossom into a defining piece of your legacy.
  • Look for Threads of Consistency: Through the lens of Amazon’s intricate weave of principles, recognize the importance of consistent threads in your operation. Whether it’s a commitment to customer satisfaction, impeccable design, or operational excellence, identify and nurture these threads, for they will hold the fabric of your brand together, just as they have done for the world’s most successful companies.
  • Value Every Voice for Innovation: As Anderson observed at Amazon, innovation isn’t relegated to a single department; it’s the collective responsibility of all. Foster a culture where ideas are welcomed and explored—from the concierge to the housekeeping staff, anyone could hold the key to the next big advancement in guest experience.
  • Encourage Successful Failure: Instill a philosophy where failure is not a setback but a stepping stone to greatness. Let your team know that taking calculated risks can yield tremendous rewards, and even when things don’t go as planned, the lessons learned are invaluable. Embrace this approach to drive a culture of continuous learning and resilience.
  • Commit to Big Ideas: Lastly, take inspiration from Anderson’s reflection on Amazon’s practice to bet on big ideas. As you steward your hotel’s vision, don’t just play it safe. Assess which bold moves could significantly advance your mission, and dare to invest in them. The hotel industry is shaped by those who dream big and act boldly—be one of those visionaries.

Visit the website for more information: https://thebezosletters.com/

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Bridging Finance, Hospitality, and Podcasting. TSHS-079

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Bridging Finance, Hospitality, and Podcasting, discussion with Jelani Millard, founder of The Wapechi Collection.

In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Jelani Millard, a professional risk analyst, podcaster, and hospitality enthusiast. We discuss Jelani Millard’s background, travel experiences, involvement in hospitality, and the Wepachi Collection. We also touch on Jelani’s vision for the hospitality industry and the unique experiences offered by the Wepachi Collection. The conversation delves into the world of travel, hospitality, and personal growth, exploring the business side of travel, the true hustle and craft of travelers, the impact of travel on individuals, and the importance of patience. It also covers the formation of a charitable foundation, the goals and aspirations of the guests, and trends in the hospitality industry.

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