A Review of the Global Restaurant Investment Forum
Optimism Prevails as Artificial Intelligence and Process Engineering Provide Untapped Upside Potential. Undoubtedly, though, the restaurant sector across EMEA is facing numerous challenges. These range from higher business rates and landlords wanting to up rents to significant changes in the consumer behaviour, technological advancements altering the business landscape as well as broader socio-political issues. The latter ranges from Brexit in the UK, which continues to put a strain on prices, costs and the supply chain, to continued localisation efforts in some of the Middle Eastern markets, which sees a large expat community leaving. In both these markets and instances, the consequences of the socio-political movements has also had a marked impact on the availability of qualified talent. Moreover, there is of course more competition in the form of new brands. Many of those new concepts, as well as some of the more established players, have sought private equity money to help speed-up their growth plans. Burdened with an already high pressure to perform and deliver returns on investment, some of these organisations are now beginning to falter in the current difficult trading environment. In short then, it is tough out there and trading conditions are not the best either. So, why the optimism?
Read moreThe Lost Power of Voice
My son has recently started to pester me to buy him an iPhone X. A couple of his friends’ parents have Apple’s latest smartphone and for some unknown reason he thinks this means he has a chance of acquiring one for himself. I think deep down he knows that there is more likelihood of his beloved Arsenal finishing top of the Premier League this season than him getting an iPhone - any phone for that matter - but still he keeps trying to wear me down. He is 8 after all. Of course he has no interest in an iPhone for it’s phone capability but rather for it’s i-ness, specifically, its ability to play FIFA Mobile. He is not alone however. Over 1.5billion smartphones were sold around the world in 2017 and yet, in my completely unscientific opinion, people seem to be using their phones less and less for the purpose they were designed for, namely speaking to other people.
Read moreIn tackling GDPR Do Not Overlook Your Employer Responsibilities
GDPR. Four letters of the alphabet that are proving to represent one of the biggest challenges facing businesses in 2018. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect on 25th May across the European Union (including the UK) and impacts any organisation that operates within the EU and/or that processes data of EU citizens wherever they may be in the world. How organisations hold, store and process personal data will now be subject to higher, and more consistent, scrutiny with the potential penalty for non-compliance being significant.
Read moreHospitality Leadership Solutions Series: Personal Motivators
If you want to improve employee performance, think about your daily (or “rolling”) conversations with employees. No better opportunity exists to reinforce and help refine excellent employee performance. You have the chance to discuss new projects, talk about overdue assignments, give updates about completed tasks, and more. Unfortunately, many managers miss these opportunities and instead try to influence or control teams with the counterproductive “FUD” method, i.e., using explicit or implicit threats of Fear, Uncertainty or Doubt. Leaders instead should use rolling conversations to reinforce the importance of meeting or exceeding goals by linking an employee’s performance to a specific workplace result. How? Read below for some in-depth guidance.
Read moreCruise Ships and Their Ports of Registration: Should Human Resources be Worried About Perception?
The hospitality industry is one of the world’s largest employers; the cruise sector is arguably one of the sub-segments which records one of the strongest growth rates (note: The Cruise Line Industry Association, CLIA, predicts 27 million passengers by the end of 2018). With that in mind, it is no surprise that everyone wants a piece of the pie. Although the market is dominated by just a few big players, new competition is muscling in. Aethos™ recently assessed what it takes for one of those new competitors, the traditional lodging operator, to move into the cruise sector – looking predominantly, at human resources and talent management. One key decision that we have not yet discussed is the relevance of the country where a cruise ship is registered – does or does it not impact the ability to attract and retain talent? Could it have an adverse impact on employer branding?
Read moreSeatrade Sound Bites: The State of The Global Cruise Industry
Optimism and energy were on display at this year’s Seatrade Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where industry insiders proclaimed that the ‘cruise business is strong’ and ‘the future continues to look promising.’ As usual the conference’s annual keynote address did not disappoint, as executives from major cruise companies provided attendees with their candid and insightful opinion on the overall state of the cruise business and where it is heading. During the keynote we heard from strategic executives at Norwegian, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. As we were in attendance this past week, Aethos™ took note of a handful of major sound bites.
Read moreHospitality Leadership Solutions Series: Presentation Skills
The rights words spoken at the right time can move mountains. Public speaking is an art and skill that can determine business success or failure. However, many studies show that it is often one of people’s greatest fears and sources of anxiety. Executive coaches and seminars can help leaders become more effective public speakers, but much of the anxiety can be reduced by simply being more organized and prepared. The four tactics below will make you feel more in control and better positioned to make a positive and lasting impact on your audience.
Read moreThe CEO Merry-Go-Round Continues: Recent Trends in CEO Compensation
Being a CEO in the restaurant industry is tough work; and short lived for many. Nearly 20% of the CEOs in our annual study of pay-for-performance resigned, retired or were pushed out. It would stand to reason that deficient performance would precipitate a CEO’s ouster, but was that really the case?
Read moreProfile of Women in Leadership: A Tale of Two ‘Unicorns’ at Preferred Hotels & Resorts
A “leap year” happens every four years -- an extra day is added to the calendar to align it with the solar year. And in the span of just four years, it could be said that Preferred Hotels & Resorts has achieved many big leaps due to the strategic and cultural vision of its relatively new CEO, Lindsey Ueberroth. Since joining the company in 2004, Lindsey has helped solidify the position of Preferred Hotels & Resorts as an iconic global hospitality brand, a preferred partner for independent hotels and resorts, and a trusted resource for travellers seeking an authentic, independent luxury hotel experience. Today, Preferred Hotels & Resorts represents more than 650 independent hotels, resorts, residences, and small hotel groups across 85 countries.
Read moreHospitality Leadership Solutions Series: Communication
Communication in the 21st century – personal or professional – involves less conversation and more electronic sharing of information. Written communication, therefore, is often the norm. Sadly, many good business people are very poor writers. Poor writing in any context leaves a lasting impression, which can be especially detrimental in today’s workplace of enduring email, texts, digital documents and social media. The six tactics below will make you a better writer.
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