On Ramp to Social Media

Social Media arrived in force to the hospitality industry this year -

Understanding what it is and how you and your organization can participate and benefit is critical to your future success.

What is it?

Social Media is online peer-to-peer communication like forums, blogs and wikis. These are significant to your business because anyone can use these online conversation areas to make comments about you and your company.

Sherry Heyl, CEO of Social Media agency What a Concept!, says that Amazon.com and its feature of “If you like this book you’ll like these others,” was the bridge from Web 1.0 (broadcast oriented) to Web 2.0, which houses Social Media and allows any person with a computer to talk about you or your company.

For an in-depth understanding of what is happening in Web 2.0 at a conceptual 50,000 foot level, read New Rules for the New Economy by Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired Magazine. A colleague read it 17 times and then started his own company.

On a more practical level, examples of Social Media networks in the hospitality industry are tripadvisor travel reviews. Bill Marriott’s blog, Hilton’s be hospitable show, Sheraton’s Share a Story; flyspy and wegolo airfare searches and sites like Placeblogger. Top Social Media sites outside of our industry include Facebook, YouTube, the del.icio.us social bookmarking site and flickr photo sharing.

Tools and Vocabulary You Will Need.

When you travel to a foreign country, you need to know the language. Social Media may seem like a distant land, so here is some basic vocabulary to help you adjust.

Blogs:

Also called weblogs, blogs are the on ramp to Social Media. Blogs are also the on ramp to the mainstream business media, says Richard Edelman, president and CEO of Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations firm. A reported 79% of editors get news stories from blogs.

If you are ready to start participating in Social Media – and the sooner the better – begin to read and post on blogs that interest you. Remember, though: a blog is a permanent business record, and you want to get a general sense of the tone of the community before you start posting. My business blog is First Light.

RSS feeds:

Sherry Heyl, again, says that RSS feeds are the math equation you must understand before you can participate in Social Media. RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, is a way to publish frequently updated online content. RSS feeds can save you two to three hours a day by delivering to you just the information you want to be aware of.

Subscribe to feeds on websites or blogs via free RSS readers like Bloglines or Google’s blog search. You can also use Technorati, an engine for searching blogs on the Web, to find content in which you are interested. If your corporate website has a press room, consider making it RSS friendly.

Tags and Tag Clouds.

Tags – or relevant key words - are how discovery works in Social Media. You find information and people important to you by finding their tags, which reflect what their content is about. Tag clouds are a way to track trends. Please visit del.icio.us/tag/ for a visual example.

You will see that each word is visually weighted where the size of the font reflects the number of people tagging the word. Now that you know what they look like, you will see tag clouds on many websites, which will give you insight at a glance into the communities that surround those sites.

Have fun clicking on any word in a tag cloud that interests you and drilling down into the comments. This is another great way to find blogs and people relevant to you.

Sweaty Palms: Jump In Anyway

To get started in Social Media:

Build some learning time into your schedule. Take four hours one day a week to learn how to set up an RSS feed, use Technorati, and start monitoring blog communities of interest. TIP: Pick a hobby or fun topic at first to make the learning curve enjoyable.

Type in your company website at socialmeter.com for a before and after snapshot of your Social Media standing. This is one way to measure progress.

Start monitoring blogs with a goal of starting your own personal or corporate blog. Type keywords into Technorati or start a Bloglines account to help you bookmark blogs relevant to you.

After you have a feel for the community surrounding the blog, make a post. You are now participating in Social Media. TIP: You may already be involved in the trend. Are you in a driving club, a bowling league, or a mom’s program that communicates online? If so, you are already in Social Media.

Spend time with someone you care about. Amber Rhea, a founder of the Georgia Podcast Network, says that Social Media is fifty percent online and fifty percent face-to-face meetings. I agree; that’s why they call is social. And after clicking your way through the above road map for the first time, you may be ready to have dinner with someone you care about.

A colleague counsels that if you are ‘pushing the envelope and trying the next hard thing - something that makes your palms sweaty - you are expanding your business.’ Good advice. With that in mind, if starting to play in the Social Media environment, perhaps with a business or personal blog, makes your palms sweaty, that could be your signal to jump in. If you need help or have questions, feel free to contact me at Julie@softscribeinc.com. Good luck and have fun.

Julie Keyser-Squires, APR and vice president of Softscribe Inc., is passionate about connecting people and ideas. Please contact her at Julie@softscribeinc.com, or make a post on her new business blog, “First Light: thoughts on the networked economy."

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Pressure leads to girls-only vacations.

Source : AAA and Aspire

A new travel survey on women travelers shows that girlfriend getaways are growing in popularity, in part because women feel the need to escape their personal - and professional responsibilities.

The report also shows that vacations including just girlfriends and female family members ease stress and have become an important part of the lives of American women.

The survey, conducted by AAA and Aspire is the most comprehensive study of the girlfriend getaways travel market. The report found that 24 percent of American women have taken a girlfriend getaway in the past three years, and 39 percent of American women plan on taking one in the next three years.

“The experience of a girlfriend getaway has a deep effect on the lives and friendships of women who take these types of trips, and many believe that going away with their girlfriends is important, regardless of the destination,” said Betsy Sell, managing director of AAA Travel. ”In fact, 62 percent of women who plan on going on a girlfriend getaway in the next three years said that taking a future trip is as important today as it was when they took their last trip with girlfriends.”

This comprehensive report included an online survey of 1,500 women, a telephone survey of 513 women and telephone focus groups of 16 women.

Aspire’s Founder and CEO, Renie Cavallari, observes, “Hotels and resorts need to recognize the impact of the girlfriend getaway market. The number of women going on girlfriend getaways is likely to keep growing, so it’s important that properties are prepared to cater to this market.”

Women participating in the survey said that while the most common destinations include the beach (66 percent), going to the spa (63 percent), taking a shopping trip (55 percent) or taking a cruise (51 percent), they were very clear that the destination and the accommodations are incidental to the primary purpose of a girlfriend getaway, spending time bonding with their female friends and family.

The women in the focus groups talked about how important these trips are for them, saying they feel more self-confident, adventurous and relaxed as a result of their girlfriend getaway. It is a time for women to share common experiences, and get validation and acceptance from their female friends and family.

“Girlfriend getaways are becoming very popular, and actually are quite necessary, because women are under increasing pressure at work and at home,” says Sell. “Spending time with female friends and family members is an effective and fun way for women to recover from this pressure.”

Husbands, significant others and children of these women, have no fear. The AAA/Aspire study shows that women are not going on girlfriend getaways just to get away from you. Only 34 percent of women gave “break from significant other” as the reason for a getaway, but they do talk about you when they’re away. The vast majority (79 percent) admitted that men or their significant other are the most frequently talked about topics.

Interesting facts about girlfriend getaways



Most girlfriend getaways consist of 2-3 women (51 percent).

Girlfriend getaways account for approximately four percent of all US leisure travel spending. (Source: D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd. DIRECTIONS® DESTINATION PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM.)

Women who participated in the focus groups highlighted the importance of spending time with girlfriends in general and taking these types of trips specifically. These women also felt that these types of trips provided an added intensity and importance to their connections with their women friends.

The leading reasons women want to take the girlfriend getaways are to bond with friends or family (70 percent) and to escape from their daily responsibilities (65 percent).

The most popular activities while on a girlfriend getaway are dining out (86 percent), shopping (74 percent), spa (73 percent) and going to the beach or pool (70 percent).

The most difficult aspects of planning a girlfriend getaway are finding a time that works for everyone (77 percent) and selecting a trip that fits everyone’s budget (76 percent).

Fifty-six percent of all women surveyed said they have yet to make plans for a future girlfriend getaway, but would like to plan one.

Between 2004 and 2007 there has been an increase in taking girlfriend getaways for “no reason” – 30 percent vs. 40 percent, respectively.

The largest portion of women who said they had been on a girlfriend getaway in the last three years were between the ages of 25-34 (40 percent).

The greatest number of women who had gone on a girlfriend getaway in the past three years had no children (38 percent), and were not married (42 percent).

Ethnic influences on the menu

The following article can be viewed here:



by Valerie Killifer * • 17 Jul 2007

Ethnic adventures are one of the top culinary trends influencing American restaurant menus. While Asian cuisine leads the way, new menu items offer a cornucopia — from Caribbean, South and Central American and African — of flavors.

From Cosi’s Wasabi Roast Beef to Au Bon Pain’s Thai Peanut Chicken and Motu’s Poisson Cru, ethnic flavors are coming from across the globe.

Suzy Badaracco, president and founder of Culinary Tides, said Asian cuisines began to penetrate the foodservice market 10 years ago, and only now are experiencing industry maturation.

“Ten years ago, Americans weren’t as educated on Asian flavors. They might know Chinese food, but now they know the difference between Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese,” Badaracco said. “Most interesting is not that they’re coming in, but they’re coming in with their own voice.”

According to the “Spices and Seasonings: Culinary Trend Mapping Report,” ethnic spices have become have become key tools in marketers’ flavor arsenals.

“Beyond salt and pepper, the spice market has now reached $1.2 billion, truly pointing to an awakening in the American palate,” said Kimberly Egan, managing director/partner at San Francisco’s Center for Culinary Development.

Unique and emerging spices include Peri-Peri peppers, African Ras El Hanout and Harissa, Star Anise, Saffron and Ancho Chile. Other emerging flavors include curry, saffron and exotic fruits.

"The popularity of ethnic cuisine will eventually distort what we think of as ‘traditional American’ flavors,” said Maria Caranfa, director of Mintel Menu Insights. “We have already seen Asian and Italian flavors, such as sesame and ginger, and sun-dried tomato and basil — that were once considered ethnic become mainstream flavors in American diets.”

While consumers appreciate different tastes, other factors also are driving the trend.

“Health principles and benefits are coming in with Asian foods,” Badaracco said. “The obesity epidemic pulls into that, too, because Japan doesn’t have the obesity epidemic that we do.”

South of the border

Broad culinary educations also have opened the door for ethnic flavors from south of the American border.

Well-traveled North Americans have brought Caribbean, Cuban and other Latin American flavors to the U. S. shores, although some were adopted faster than others.

“Because Caribbean cuisine in particular started with the elite and higher-end restaurants, menu items indicative of the region have been slow to integrate into the United States,” Badaracco said. “Meanwhile, South American flavors — because of affordable travel rates and the burgeoning wine industry — have integrated at a much faster pace.”
Ethnic-based restaurants such as Motu’s Tahitian Noni Café are one step closer to bringing island flavors to the U.S.

Motu’s menu includes sweet potato fries; Poisson Cru, an authentic fish dish from Tahiti; a Kalua Pork Quesadilla; Noni Poi Rolls; and a Salmon Pareo Wrap that includes coconut rice.

Motu’s, headquartered in Provo, Utah, was created around the use of the Tahitian Noni plant. The plant has a purple hue, which means Motu’s Noni Poi Rolls appear light purple.

Motu’s opened its first eatery in Japan in 2003 and now has 11 company-owned locations — three in Japan; two in Taiwan; one in Brazil; one in Germany; and four in the United States (Dallas, Atlanta, Provo, Utah, and Glendale, Ariz.).

“Motu’s is clearly themed so people are starting to recognize it as island food,” said Rich Anderson, the company’s marketing and communications manager. “We emphasize slow roasted pork and chicken and seafood. We’ve had some fun with the menu.”

Consumers can expect to see more island flavors showing up on fast casual and casual dining menus, although their entry points may differ.

“Japanese small plates are hitting the West Coast,” Badaracco said. “The Caribbean influence will hit Florida first and will travel up to New York. So, they sweep the country completely differently.”

Flavors served in the United States from around the globe also will be more authentic than in year’s past.

“When (Americans) go abroad, they want to eat local. They want to immerse themselves in the culture,” Badaracco said. “We used to Americanize food, but now Americans really don’t want that

Hip hotel chains court the cost-conscious

By Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY

In a warehouse in a Westchester County industrial park north of Manhattan, Starwood's Aloft hotel chain, due to premiere in May 2008, is preparing for takeoff.
Expect lobbies with high ceilings and exposed pipes, cool bars and Starbucks-style nooks for working on laptops.


MORE: Guests put their two cents into the new Aloft hotels

With rates starting at about $125, the idea is to bring the style and personality of Starwood's W hotels to the value-minded masses. "We want our 'cool' to be universal and inclusive," says Aloft president Ross Klein, offering a first look at lobby and room prototypes.

The chain, due in 20 locations by the end of 2008, is just one of many new brands courting design- and budget-conscious travelers with lobbies as social hubs, Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, ergonomic desk chairs, grab-and-go meals and hip, contemporary rooms.

Consumers now demand upscale, design-driven rooms with electronic bells and whistles. They're willing to give up frills such as room service, fine-dining restaurants or bellhops for rates that average less than $150 a night, says Robert Mandelbaum of PKF Hospitality Consulting. And hotel companies want to "sell more franchises," he says. They're developing hipper boutique-style brands that don't cost as much to run and "in theory attract new travelers and don't impact existing hotels."

•Hyatt has Hyatt Place, just opened its 46th hotel outside Baltimore in Owings Mills, Md. Most are former AmeriSuites that have undergone a "total transformation," including swiveling 42-inch TVs, says Hyatt Place marketing vice president Alison Kal.

•Choice Hotels opened its first Cambria Suites in Boise in April. Suites boast two flat-screen TVs and MP3 player hookups, and there's an espresso bar. "It's not your parents' hotel, but your parents wouldn't be uncomfortable there," spokesman David Peikin says.

•InterContinental's Hotel Indigo, decorated in Pottery Barn-meets-beach-house style, now has eight outposts. One is due in Buffalo in August.

•Marriott and boutique-hotel pioneer Ian Schrager just announced a partnership to develop boutique-style hotels. No word on prices, but they'll likely be higher than $150 a night.

NYLO Hotels, a loft-style chain due to launch in Plano, Texas, in December, will offer rooms with 10- to 11-foot ceilings in the under-$150 range and staff uniforms designed by Project Runway finalist Daniel Vosovic. It's holding "casting calls" for personable staffers. As a new chain building from the ground up, "we have no baggage," NYLO chief John Russell says. "People want something new and different. It's not a fad. It's a trend

Reasons People Don't Listen at Work.

By Carla Rieger
Thursday, 5th July 2007

It’s frustrating when your co-workers or teenager or even your dog won’t listen -

While you can’t control how they receive what you say, you can control how you send it. Here are a few tips on why people don’t listen and what you can do to change it.

1. Short Attention Spans

Problem: When asked to guess the average adult attention span, most people say around thirty minutes. According to statistics, however, the average adult attention span is actually only seven seconds. That’s right! Every seven seconds you go away somewhere. You think about something else.

In fact, you could actually be taking a mental break right now. It is a normal part of how the brain integrates external stimuli — like when your computer starts defragging for a moment while you type.

Solution: It helps to pause from time to time when you speak. This allows people to integrate your information or ask a clarifying question. Also, include examples to anchor your concepts. For example (see—I’m doing it now!), a concept without an example is like tree without roots, a house without a foundation, or Sonny without Cher. It just doesn’t have as much staying power.

2. Too Many Distractions

Problem: I was in a meeting the other day and five people coughed, four people side talked, three cell phones rang, two people went to the restroom, and a partridge did email on his PDA. Distractions are a big part of modern life.

Solution: Your best bet is to acknowledge the distractions in a playful way. A manager who recently led a meeting I attended did this. When a cell phone rang, he grabbed for it and said, “Hello, Greg is in a meeting right now and he forgot to turn off his cell phone. So, please call back in a minute and leave a message. Beep.” That prompted everyone to turn off their phones.

3. Lack of Training

Problem: Few of us were formally taught how to listen. You probably took Reading 8, Writing 11, but did you ever take Listening 10? Its little wonder listening is challenging.

Solutions: Quite accidentally, I learned how to listen by trying meditation. After a five-day retreat, I went to visit my aging father who was hard of hearing. My habit was to sit vacantly for hours while he complained about his arthritis, the error on his bank statement, and how hard it is to find good slippers.

On this occasion, I surprised myself by totally paying attention to him with patience and compassion. After about ten minutes of complaining he suddenly changed tracks and started telling me fascinating stories about his childhood. Then he cranked up his hearing aid—and asked about me! Learn how to give people your full, undivided attention and be ready for some pleasant surprises.

4. Language Barriers

Problem: The world of business is fast becoming a multicultural world. Although English is the default language of commerce, many people in your audience may speak English only as a second language. Last month I was addressing a large insurance company where most attendees turned out to be new immigrants from China. I used the expression “getting jiggy with it”, and I saw people rifling through their dictionaries. This prompted me to say “I’m sorry, that went way over your head”, and a number of people looked up at the ceiling.

Solution: If your listeners are ESL or have a more basic educational background, you need to simplify your language. Use much more literal descriptions rather than cultural expressions. Use facial and body language to express humor, and fewer words.

5. Unchecked Assumptions

Problem: Back in the 70s, Gilda Radner a comedienne who regularly performed on Saturday Night Live was well known for her popular character Emily Litella, a social activist with a hearing problem. Her causes included such important issues as violins on television, Soviet jewelry and endangered feces. Believe it or not, those Emily Litella types can be found in your audiences.

Solution: One way to clear up false assumptions is to state your point in many different ways, then ask for summarizing statements from your listener. For example, “I just want to make sure you understand what I’m trying to say. Can you repeat back to me what you think I just said?” You would be surprised how often people have completely misinterpreted you, especially if the issue is complicated, or a touchy subject.

6. No Reason to Listen

Problem: Finally, the main reason people don’t listen is because you haven’t answered their favorite question: “What’s in it for me?”

Solution: Before you start a long-winded monologue, tell your listener why you need their attention and make sure they understand how it will be benefit them. For example, “I’d like to tell you about this free software that will block all the spam before it gets to your Inbox…interested?” That will give you much better results than “When I was a youngster and I sat down in front of my first computer, I asked myself—how can I make this machine work for me? Then in 1972…” In general, put yourself in your listener’s shoes before you talk. And just remember the greatest of all wisdom—no one ever listened himself out of a job.

To hear more tips—consider hiring Carla to be a speaker at your association, sales rally, or staff development session. As a keynote speaker, trainer and coach, Carla helps people stay in high performance states. Her motivational and inspirational presentations on change management, communication skills, creative leadership, humor at work and presentation skills are popular in Canada, the United States, the UK and Asia. If you are planning a meeting and need a powerful presentation or want support materials

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