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December 2001
| "Family business -talk about Greek tragedies revisited.
I swear, the typical founder of a family business would have no problems
whatsoever if he could be immortal and celibate."
Leon Danco, Center for Family Business
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Innkeeping has been a family business since man began offering the concept
of bed and breakfast. Long before the days of mega-chains, multiple
brand franchises and 1,000 room casinos, families provided refuge from
the weather, hospitality and a resting place for the weary traveler around
the world.
In this time of reflection at year-end, I offer a message I received
in the form of a holiday greeting last December.
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This is a Family
A place of warmth when the world is cold,
a place of safety when the world is hostile,
a place of light when the world is dark.
This is a family.
A family shares things like dreams
and hopes and possessions and memories
and smiles and frowns and gladness.
A family is a place of respect and understanding,
a place where love and faith dwells.
A family is a place where all members can enjoy
the dignity of their own personalities.
No person is ever alone � who is a member of a family.
A family is a group of human beings
who care about each other and
feel comfortable with each and
will stand up for each other.
This is a family.
Like all groups of human beings,
families will taunt and fight and
bicker among each other.
Buut when trouble threatens from outside the clan,
there is an instant closing of the ranks against the outsiders.
This is a family.
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Thanks for sharing this message goes to Mike and Diane Henning of the
Henning Family Business Center, an organizational consulting firm and
seminar company committed to helping families in business succeed and grow.
(217)342-3728 [email protected]
Think Tank
Questions of the day
Each month we provide questions to stimulate discussion about the way
we do business. There is not necessarily only one �correct� answer
� the reason for this section of the column is to promote an awareness
of how we might all improve our operations.
Topic: Family
1. Do we include the families of our staff when planning at least
some holiday events, spring picnics or group activities?
2. If ours is a family owned and operated hospitality business,
do all members of the family have the opportunity to share ideas for improvements?
Comments about the Think Tank question, this column or other related
topic are always welcome. |
John Hogan, CHA MHS is the Director of Education & Training for
Best Western International, the world�s largest lodging chain. His
background includes teaching college level courses as an adjunct professor
for 20 years, while working with Sheraton, Hilton, Omni and independents
hotels. Prior to joining Best Western International in spring of
2000, he was the principal in an independent training & consulting
group for more than 10 years. He has published more than 100 articles
& columns on the hospitality industry and is co-author (with Howard
Feiertag) of LESSONS FROM THE FIELD � A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE
HOTEL SALES, which will be available in late 2001.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and
do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication or of Best Western
International. |
