News for the Hospitality Executive |
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Lessons from the Field
A Common Sense Approach to Success in the Hospitality Industry |
By Dr. John Hogan, CHA MHS CHE, March 2009 |
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Getting the Most Out of Your
Hotel Franchise Investment
Working With Your Hotel Franchisor
for Everyone�s Success
(Part 3 of 3)
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By Dr. John Hogan CHE CHA MHS March 11 2009 �You have to learn the rules of the game � and then, you have to
play better than anyone else!�
Recent economic conditions, as well as the contractions, mergers and acquisitions between hotel companies, have magnified the franchise business model. When one adds the territorial protection uneasiness and franchising fee concerns expressed by a multitude of members of organizations, taking an overview of franchising was the goal of this three-part article on what is timely and relevant. In the first two segments
Part Three � Working with your franchisor for everyone�s success With the ability of instant global access via the internet, today�s hotelier can provide photos of their hotel and area to help potential guests decide on their choice of accommodations. Part of the decision process on franchise selection should include a detailed analysis of a number of items: 1. The brand perceived identity and image.
2. The market segments to be served
3. The full cost of the affiliation.
WIN-WIN is essential to everyone�s success Be attentive of the franchisor�s perspective and their reason to be in business. The franchise business model works best when long-term positive relationships can be maintained. Many, if not most, hotel franchises run for 20 years, which can seem long in changing times for an important business relationship. Part One of this series gave an overview on how many brands evolved and/or changed ownership, in the past 15 years. With today's continuing brand consolidation, it is possible that competing brands could become part of the same chain and start sharing reservation networks, marketing and other initiatives. This is not necessarily a negative factor for existing franchisees, but it does require study of the trends. When an investment group likes Blackstone becomes a major player with ownership of Hilton branded franchises as well as La Quinta, additional study is critical. Part Two offered some recommended questions to reflect on when evaluating franchise comparison. Working with your franchisor for everyone�s success The following ideas are offered as suggestions as ways to support the franchisor and your own investment: 1. Determine and support the franchisor�s right to assertively manage the brand image by maintaining strong quality assurance and terminating franchisees that will not conform to the standards.Working together can allow groups of similarly minded people to set and achieve business goals. Strong franchise organizations can address issues of technology changes, market specializations, purchasing efficiencies, training consistencies, market penetration and the global marketplace. Open dialogue in the research and analysis stages is essential in what
can easily end up being the most expensive investment of one�s business
career.
Feel free to share an idea for a column at [email protected] anytime or contact customized workshops, speaking engagements or me regarding consulting. Autographed copies of LESSONS FROM THE FIELD � a COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES can be obtained from THE ROOMS CHRONICLE www.roomschronicle.com and other industry sources. All rights reserved by John Hogan and this column may be included in an upcoming book on hotel management. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication John Hogan, a career hotelier and educator, is frequently invited to participate at franchise meetings, management company and hospitality association industry events. He is a successful senior executive with a record of accomplishment in leading hospitality industry organizations at multiple levels, with demonstrated competencies as a strong leader, relationship builder, problem solver and mentor. He conducts mystery-shopping reviews of quality in operations and marketing, including repositioning of hotels. He writes weekly columns for a number of global online services (hotel online.com, eHotelier, 4 Hotels, Hotel Resource, etc) and has published more than 400 articles & columns on the hotel industry. He co-authored (with Howard Feiertag, CHA CMP) LESSONS FROM THE FIELD � a COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES, which is available from [email protected], ROOMS CHRONICLE www.roomschronicle.com and other industry sources. He resides in Phoenix, Arizona and expects to publish in 2009 his 2nd book based on his dissertation � The Top 100 People of All Time Who Most Dramatically Affected the Hotel Industry. Hogan�s professional experience includes over 35 years in hotel operations, food & beverage, sales & marketing, training, management development and asset management on both a single and multi-property basis, including service as Senior Vice President of Operations in a specialty hotel brand for six years. He holds a number of industry certifications (CHA, CHE, MHS, ACI) and is a past recipient of the American Hotel & Lodging Association�s Pearson Award for Excellence in Lodging Journalism, as well as operational and marketing awards from international brands. He has served as President of both city and state hotel associations. John�s background includes teaching college level courses as an adjunct professor at three different colleges and universities over a 20-year period, while managing with Sheraton, Hilton, Omni and independent hotels. He was the principal in an independent training & consulting group for more than 12 years serving associations, management groups, convention & visitors� bureaus, academic institutions and as an expert witness. He joined Best Western International in spring of 2000, where over the next 8 years he created and developed a blended learning system as the Director of Education & Cultural Diversity for the world�s largest hotel chain. He has served on several industry boards that deal with education and/or cultural diversity and as brand liaison to the NAACP and the Asian American Hotel Owners� Association with his long-term involvement in the Certified Hotel Owner program. He has conducted an estimated 3,200 workshops and classes in his career. Expertise and Research Interest
Service to the Industry and Hospitality Education includes working with the Educational Institute Certification Commission of the AH&LA, the Hospitality Industry Diversity Institute, the AH&LA Multicultural Advisory Council, the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration, the Commission for Accreditation on Hospitality Management Programs, the AH&LA and AAHOA Education and Training Committees, the Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Educators (CHRIE), the International Hotel Show and the Certified Hotel Owner program for the Asian American Hotel Owners� Association. |
Contact:
Dr. John Hogan, CHA MHS CHE
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