Hotel Online  Special Report

Stanfield Hospitality Develops 
Strategic Technologist Review
-
A First of a Kind Service Aimed at the Travel Industry 
and Its Technology Suppliers' Profitability

 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 27, 2001) -- Stanfield Hospitality Consultants LLC (SHC), a Nashville-based international virtual consulting firm, has developed another one-of-a-kind technology review process for the travel industry and its technology suppliers aimed at maximizing long- and short-term profitability.

The Strategic Technologist Review (FAQ's) features an intensive, high-level evaluation of application technology by a three-member team of credentialed industry veterans and SHC support consultants and staff.  Highlights of the review are evaluating a company�s technology processes for efficiency and profitability.
 

�As far as we know, this is the first service of its kind in the travel industry.  The primary reason for development of this service is that every business I have ever worked with can certainly benefit from an �outside audit,� said Rick Stanfield, CHA, president and chief executive officer of Stanfield Hospitality.  

Three strategic technologists, Richard Brooks, CHA, Bill Sullivan and Rick Stanfield, CHA have all proven themselves as senior operational and 


Rick Stanfield, CHA
President and CEO
Stanfield Hospitality
corporate executives in the Travel Industry.  With a combined 80 years of experience in travel industry operations and a proven record of technology innovation, each will be involved in the reviews.  The balance of SHC�s staff and advisors have almost two centuries of combined experience in specialized areas such as technology, sales and marketing, operations and technology client sales.       

Stanfield added that a Strategic Technologist Review begins with a site visit by SHC to review the client�s current technology and affected processes.  The SHC team will gather information from the client in areas such as technology application enhancements, staffing, training, interfaces,  marketing, sales, development of new technologies and the purchase or sale of available technologies. 

Each client, travel industry operator or technology provider will receive a customized proposal based on his or her individual needs, timelines and a suggested fee schedule.  This includes various options to assist in
meeting any client�s budget restrictions.

�While selecting a company to be our first client using this new service, we looked for one with a proven track record in technology products and sales.  I am delighted INNCOM International will be that company as they have proven themselves for over 15 years under the same senior management.  I have
worked with INNCOM and Duane Buckingham, President and CEO on several projects over the years, including putting on-line, from concept to installation, a 2,900 room centralized locking/energy-management system� said Stanfield.
            
A 30-year hospitality veteran, Stanfield was senior vice president of the Opryland Lodging Group, helping grow the Opryland Hotel from a little known 600-room hotel in a third-tier city to what was recognized and respected as one of the largest and finest convention hotels in the world during his 20-year tenure with Opryland.

Stanfield became well known for his innovative approaches that frequently bring staff, operating processes and technology together resulting in a far more efficient and profitable way of doing business. 

He was the first in the industry to do away with credit card vouchers, registration cards and implemented single-swipe check-in during 1980�s.  His profit driven, yet people oriented, management style was recognized by his peers and has been the only person ever to be awarded the state industry�s three highest honors (Tennessee Motel & Motel Association, Tennessee Hospitality Council and Tennessee Tourism Roundtable).

Projects presently in negotiation, development or implementation include establishing branch offices in China (P.R.C.), developing a sponsorship and technology acquirement process for a multi-faceted, $USD 2.3 billion project in Poland and bringing a revolutionary and global technology process to market (patent pending).

Heading the SHC Board of Advisors is Jack Vaughn, CHA, a veteran hotelier who led the world famous Opryland Hotel from the ground up into a 2,884-room award-winning convention center.  Other members are Richard M. Brooks CHA, vice president service delivery systems for MeriStar Hotels & Resorts; Mike Dimond CHSE, president of Dimond Marketing Group; Roger Herman CSP/CMC, president of The Herman Group; Manfred Moritz CFBE, former senior vice president of food and beverage for Opryland Lodging Group; Bill Sullivan, general manager for the Dupont Country Club in Wilmington, Del. and Bob Coyne, an independent technology consultant and member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association�s HITIS Central Reservations Systems Technology Committee.

For more information about Stanfield Hospitality Consultants LLC, call (615) 826-8022, send an e-mail message to [email protected], or check out the company�s web  site at http://www.stanfieldconsultants.com
 
Stanfield Hospitality Consultants, LLC is a member of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC).  IMC is the only professional organization recognized as a member of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI), a global team with member institutes in 21 countries worldwide.  Membership in IMC is a recognized hallmark of competence, knowledge and professionalism.  Members annually pledge to uphold a strict Code of Ethics enforced by the Institute.
 

Strategic Technologist Review
Frequently Asked Questions
1.  Who are you?

Stanfield Hospitality Consultants, LLC (SHC) is a Nashville-based international virtual consulting firm founded in 1999 by Rick Stanfield, CHA.  A 30-year hospitality veteran, Stanfield was senior vice president of the Opryland Lodging Group, helping grow the Opryland Hotel from a little known 600-room hotel in a third-tier city to what was recognized and respected as one of the largest and finest convention hotels in the world during his 20-year tenure with Opryland.

Stanfield became well known for his innovative approaches that frequently bring staff, operating processes and technology together resulting in a far more efficient and profitable way of doing business.  He was the first in the industry to do away with credit card vouchers, registration cards and implemented single-swipe check-in during the mid 1980�s.  His profit driven, yet people oriented, management style was recognized by his peers and has been the only person ever to be awarded the state industry�s three highest honors (Tennessee Motel & Motel Association, Tennessee Hospitality Council (founding President) and Tennessee Tourism Roundtable.) 

2. What is a � virtual consulting firm�?

We have brought together a �small� full-time staff to work with our board of advisors, all of whom provide advice to our company.  Some members of the board have full-time jobs while others are semi retired.  Some have their own consulting practices and do consulting as part of a team of consultations or are recommended if needed by SHC to our clients when a team approach is not required.  Overhead is kept down by not carrying full-time consultants on staff, who have to be paid whether they have an active client or not.  Being setup as a �virtual� firm allows us to stay �connected� with staff and advisors living in the Nashville area or around the world by the use of technology. 

3. Who are the individuals on your Board of Advisors?

Heading the SHC Board of Advisors is Jack Vaughn (CHA), a veteran hotelier who led the world  famous Opryland Hotel from the ground up into a 2,884-room award-winning convention center.

Richard M. Brooks (CHA), vice president service delivery systems for MeriStar Hotels & Resorts and a strategic technologist.  Mr. Brooks is responsible for brand standards and best practices for all MeriStar properties.    Prior to joining MeriStar, Brooks served as vice president, operations for Bridgestreet Accommodations; vice president, Hospitality Systems for Fidelity Investments and 13-years with Stouffer Hotels and Resorts and Renaissance Hotels International.  While at Stouffers, Brooks was vice president of rooms� management and established company-wide technology standards.  Brooks has also held positions with the Boca Raton Resort and Club and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.  He was inducted into the International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame in 1997. 

Mike Dimond (CHSE), president of Dimond Marketing Group, based in Nashville, Tennessee. DMG provides consulting services nationwide, specializing in hotels/resorts, attractions and travel-related industries.  Mr. Dimond is widely recognized as one of the top travel industry executives in the nation.  Dimond has over 35 years of hospitality industry experience and served as Gaylord Entertainment's senior vice president from 1975-97 at their Opryland Hotel. In addition, Mr. Dimond has held senior management positions at The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs; Saddlebrook Resort, Tampa, Florida; the Boca Raton Hotel and Club; and Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Active in numerous professional organizations in the leisure and hospitality industries, Dimond currently is on the board of the 20,000-member American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Trust Foundation and the Tourism Works for America Council.

Roger Herman (CSP/CMC), president of The Herman Group, a management-consulting firm based in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Mr. Herman has over two decades of experience working with managers and leaders in a wide range of client organizations.  Herman serves on the Board of Directors of the Institute of Management Consultants, the national association of consultants, where he leads the group's professional development program.  Herman is a sought-after presenter for conventions and corporate meetings.

Manfred Moritz (CFBE), is a 44-year hospitality industry veteran.  Mr. Moritz retired as senior vice president of food and beverage for Opryland Lodging Group after 22 years.  During his Opryland tenure, in 1985, Moritz established the Opryland Culinary Institute, a three-year culinary apprenticeship program that was awarded "Best Culinary Apprenticeship Program in the US" by the American Culinary Federation in 1995.  Presently, he is co-owner and operator of the 1,800 seat on-premise catering venue, The Old Fashioned Smiley Hollow Hayride and Barndance Co. located in Ridgetop, Tennessee.  Moritz has a record of developing and implementing successful new operations, as well as restructuring struggling operations; an in-depth background in all areas of operational planning and implementation of sales/marketing programs; strengths in team building and employee relations, food, beverage and retail analysis, food quality and presentation..  

Bill Sullivan, general manager for the Dupont Country Club in Wilmington, Del. and a strategic technologist.  Mr. Sullivan has been with the DuPont Company for 27 years primarily in their hospitality operations.  Sullivan is a part-time professor in the Hospitality Management programs at the University of Delaware (Newark, Delaware) and Widener University (Chester, PA) and teaches the Hospitality Technology courses.  He is nationally regarded for his expertise in hospitality systems design and operations.  Sullivan is a member of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and has served on the HITEC Advisory Board since 1990.  Sullivan is a frequent conference speaker and has publication credits in numerous industry publications.  Sullivan specializes in technology strategic planning, hospitality operations and the integration of technology for businesses to improve bottom line and service performance.

Bob Coyne, an independent technology consultant and a member of the American Hotel & Lodging  Association's HITIS Central Reservations Systems Technology Committee.  Mr. Coyne has over 30 years' experience in marketing, sales, requirements definition, implementation planning, product evaluation and management of automated systems.  During the last 25 years Coyne has specialized  in technology for the hospitality industry.  Coyne was a vice president at Chervenak, Keane & Company (CKC) and a Principal with both CynterCon Group and Eager Technology.  Coyne is a  frequent speaker on hotel information processing at hotel schools and at American and European hotel conferences. 

4. What type of assignments can you be engaged for?

Projects presently in negotiations, development or implementation include establishing branch offices in China (P.R.C.), developing a sponsorship and technology acquirement process for a multi-faceted, $USD 2.3 billion project in Poland and bringing a revolutionary and global technology process to market (patent pending).  We have a partnership with a company that has a patented process we believe finally addresses the issue of being able to listen to customers who usually don�t complain about service, they just don�t use it again.

5. What is a �Strategic Technologist�?

The technical definition of a Strategic Technologist is an individual of great importance within an integrated whole or to a planned effect (hospitality industry, its suppliers) and skilled in technology. 

SHC has interpreted this definition to mean that a �Travel Industry Strategic Technologist� is one with a proven track record in travel industry operations and has successfully used technology in creative ways to further the profitability of their company(s).  SHC has three Strategic Technologist on staff or on its Board of Advisors with combined experience as hoteliers of over 80 years.  Other staff and board members have areas of expertise in hospitality technology, sales & marketing, operations, vendor sales and a number of others.

6. What is your service called �Strategic Technologist Review?�

It is a review process for the travel industry and its technology suppliers aimed at improving their long- and short-term profitability.  The Strategic Technologist Review features an intensive, high-level evaluation of application technology by a three-member team of credentialed industry veterans (strategic technologists) and SHC support consultants and staff. 

All three strategic technologists, Richard Brooks, CHA, Bill Sullivan and Rick Stanfield, CHA have proven themselves as senior operational and corporate executives in the Travel Industry.  With a combined 80 years of experience in travel industry operations and a proven record of technology innovation, each will be involved in the reviews.  The balance of SHC�s staff and advisors have almost two centuries of combined experience in specialized areas such as technology, sales and marketing, operations and technology client sales and will be used when appropriate for their areas of expertise.  From time to time, we engage other professionals, including consultants, to work with our team as required.

7. What types of firms can benefit from engaging SHC?

Virtually all Travel Industry and Vendors to the Travel Industry can benefit.  Although this specific program focuses on technology, our three strategic technologists have always been in operations, not MIS.  With the access we have through our staff and advisors to a broad range of consultants and professionals, we can find the right consultant(s) for the client.  SHC may or may not be involved after the review depending on what is in the client�s best interest.

8. How does the program work?
  • Once SHC is in contact with a potential client, we will forward a questionnaire to them that will provide a  base of information for us to work from.  (There is no fee)
  • Date(s) will be agreed on for a site visit from SHC. This will typically be for one or two days where additional information will be gathered through interviews with staff, management and observation.  There will be no recommendations at this point.  (Fee for expenses only)
  • A proposal will be formulated for the client including, which options SHC believes would be in their best  interest.  Each client, travel industry operator or technology provider will receive a customized proposal based on his or her individual needs, timelines and a proposed fee schedule.  This includes various options to assist in meeting any client�s budget restrictions. 
  • If the proposal is accepted by the client a technologist or strategic technologist will establish with the  customer another set of date(s) to visit the clients place of business if it is needed for further information gathering and in-depth interviews with management and staff.  Typical areas to be discussed will be technology application enhancements, staffing, training, interfaces, marketing, sales, development of new  technologies and the purchase or sale of available technologies.  (Varies by the client)
  • Our findings will be discussed in depth by our three strategic technologists and other staff and advisors as required.  Typically there will be more questions that can be handled by phone, email or instant messaging.  If the client contact is set up for �netmeeting,� we can discuss documents, questions and other information �live.�  
  • A report with recommendations will be delivered and discussed at the client�s place of business.  
  • The first set of recommendations will be formatted as a three-year technology plan.  Included in our fee structure are annual visits for the second and third year.  We will review our original recommendations for upgrading or modifying as technology and the clients needs change. 
Options
  • Conduct the entire process using various technology communication methods vs. site visits with  follow-up.  (Not recommended for the initial site visit)
  • No annual follow-up visits
  • Follow-up visits every 6 months instead of annually for three years
  • Expand this high-level review into an in-depth evaluation bringing in other consultants as required
  • Develop and track some recommendations on a prearranged, partial, �revenue sharing� basis.
9. Why is Stanfield Hospitality Consultants, LLC different from other firms we might engage?
  • SHC has a very basic, yet unique view, on issues that it addresses.  The company was formed on the belief that in most cases the whole should be more valuable than the sum of the parts.  Therefore, if a company owns two technologies there is a way to make the investment more valuable.  The question is whether the technology requirements to accomplish this are cost effective to positively impact the bottom  line or not.
  • Our entire group questions conventional wisdom, trying to bring common sense and logic back to the decision-making process.  Therefore, our reports contain recommendations with justification, not a lot of  �fluff� to validate our fees.
  • By being �outsiders,� we have no axes to grind and, comparatively speaking, no preconceived notions.  We bring a unique view to our clients not a canned, fill-in-the-blank process.
  • By being primarily a �virtual� consulting company, we can bring to our clients some of the best minds in the industry without having a number of different �specialists� on staff who�s salary have to be paid whether they have an active client or not.  It also allows us to keep overhead down, a factor that many clients don�t take into account when given a quote from consultants.
  • Our recommendations are projected for implementation over a 3-year time frame with reviews at regular intervals.
  • Technology providers can be included in our brochure and website as having been reviewed by SHC. Their reports will be made available to their potential customers if so desired.
  • The primary evaluations will be performed by individuals who are from the operational side of the industry and therefore, will be able to assist both vendor and operators to understand the other facilitating the entire process for both.

###

Contact:


Donald T. Vaughn
Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Stanfield Hospitality Consultants, LLC
217 The Hollows Court
Hendersonville, TN  37075
Phone:  615-826-8022
Fax:  615-822-9672
Email: [email protected]
Web:   http://www.stanfieldconsultants.com


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