What better way to ensure that an interview brings out the natural and human side of you, than have your own son conduct the interview.

Looking very relaxed and clearly enjoying his new role, Mr Marriott talks in front of some of the companies most senior leaders, about how we are evolving the brand to engage with the latest generation of business travellers and how the Marriott culture is just as relevant today as it was over 80 years ago. 

I particularly enjoyed the bit about the very simple and effective early revenue management techniques employed at Twin Bridges back in the day.

A short video that is sure to make you smile.

Every town / city has the Monday morning blues.... Even sunny Bournemouth at this time of year, but not today; today is going to be a great day!!

Honk if you love someone!

Take your supercar to work day....

Nice to see the team at the Renaissance St Pancras getting involved

in Global Take Your Supercar To Work Day

Mr Marriott's new book; "Without Reservations" is available now to buy and to download, on his 40 years as CEO of Marriott and 60 years in the business.

Mr Marriott's new book

I'll be downloading my copy tonight.

Blagging an upgrade

After a busy Christmas and New Year period, things are starting to get back to normality at the Highcliff;  in a "no two days are ever the same," kind of normality.

I was quite amused reading Richard Branson's Top Travel Tips today and his thoughts on trying to "snag and upgrade" - even on his own airline:

5. Try to snag an upgrade

Virgin’s economy options for passengers are excellent, if I do say so myself. Still, plenty of people try to tell stories to get free flight upgrades. Over the years, some of the funnier attempts have become legendary at Virgin Atlantic. My favorite: ''Manchester United lost today. I am really upset, and need the extra space to get over it.'' That particular request didn’t work, but if you don’t ask for what you want, you will never get it!

 Another good attempt happened while I was standing in a queue waiting to be checked in. A man in front of me was at the counter demanding an upgrade because he was supposedly my best friend. He went a little white when the check-in agent suggested that he turn around and say hello.....

Here at the Highcliff we have some fantastic suites and tremendous sea views that are always worth a tall story to see if you can get one.  Just don't leave it until check-in for a sea view in the middle of Summer, as they will all be bought and paid for.

Happy New Year

Andrew

The "dark art" of Revenue Management

Really interesting to read the report from the recent Hospace Conference, hearing the industry luminaries' view on the growing need for Revenue Management knowledge, or even better, real life experience.

http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/22/11/2012/346309/revenue-managers-are-the-hospitality-leaders-of-tomorrow-hospace-delegates-hear.htm

I have always maintained that the best and the most frustrating 12 months of my career were those during my sojourn in to Revenue Management.  It was a "pressure cooker" learning experience for me, in a role that had a huge impact on the business that I was employed in at the time.  The skills that I learnt have stayed with me, influencing every strategic decision that I now take with respect to both rooms optimisation and hotel wide promotional activity. 

As a General manager, you can apply the core principles of Revenue Management right across the business, targeting resources and spend appropriately; from taking a view on factors that drive additional demand, be they engaging existing clients to encourage loyalty, or price lead initiatives to bolster slower nights in the calendar, through to the value of packaging the business into inclusive products to drive on-spend and of course the obvious setting of room rates to achieve optimum Revpar.  In this respect, I get to really enjoy the application of my lessons learnt from "the dark side," whilst still engaging with guests, bookers and associates every day, which was the part of being bunkered down in the revenue office that frustrated me.

So, I wholeheartedly agree with the panel.  All aspiring General Manager's should aim to get some exposure to revenue management as part of their career plan.  You never know, you might actually enjoy it! :)

Restaurant Of The Year

We are on a terrific journey with the Highcliff Grill and although there is still some way to go, we are really pleased with our progress and believe that we are cooking some of the very best food in the region.

So too it would seem, do the ladies and gentlemen at the Bournemouth Tourism Awards, who picked out the Highcliff Grill as the Restaurant Of The Year at this years gala dinner award ceremony..

A very happy team!