Everything technology-related for Monscierge.
It is rare to find someone in the hospitality industry who does not have a passion for it. Similar to F&B, medical, and other forms of service employment, hospitality is fast-paced, ever-changing, and high-demand. Those who have hit their stride are able to think ahead and juggle numerous tasks at once, all while keeping a smile on their face and remaining calm under pressure. If it sounds grueling, that’s because it is. Yet, anyone who has done time in hospitality knows of its siren call. Owners and operators speak of their property in reverent tones; there is a sense of relationship, as if the union between man and hotel is something sacred. Consider the intrigue of working the front desk, especially as night auditor. Hotels are a constant source of drama and mystery. Why else would they be the scene of so many thrilling tales by the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King? Certainly the monotony of nightly check-ins is broken by the small insights into the lives of late-night travelers. The high demands put on hospitality workers makes for a strong desire to run a tight ship. Even those at the lowest on the chain of command expect …
i2E is a private, not-for-profit corporation with a focus on high-growth companies in Oklahoma. They visited our offices early this month and spoke with CMO Ken Marold about what to expect from Monscierge in the coming year. Check out the video below for Ken’s take on guest experience, hospitality technology, and the emerging markets for touchscreen software.
If there is one thing that everyone can agree on concerning travel in 2012, it is that today’s travelers are more in the know than they have ever been. Rarely does anyone plan a trip without first checking into their destination via online reviews, peer recommendations, and property websites. In a recent article by USA Today, Choice Hotels CEO Steve Joyce says, “I don’t know any segment of the business where people aren’t demanding more value, and I think that will remain until people feel like they have recovered their wealth, which is going to be 10 years from now. It’s free Internet, free parking, free breakfast and other services they want but don’t want to pay additional for.” Guest experience has always been the driving force behind the hospitality industry, and this new generation of tech-savvy travelers is raising the bar for hotel owners everywhere. It is no longer enough to have the best photos, the best marketing strategy, or to coast on reputation. “Travel destinations are working harder and harder to retain credibility in the age of the incredulous.” (via Larry Mogelonsky) A current study by Hospitality Technology shows that the second biggest IT concern for hotels is …
Digital signage is on a sharp rise in the hospitality industry. Interactive touch screens are in, and those back-lit “you are here” maps are making an exit. So what are some key features to identify when implementing a signage upgrade? Digital signage should first and foremost connect you to your guests, giving you the opportunity to enhance their experience through multiple channels: Interactive wayfinding Travel information such as flights, maps, and weather forecasts In-house promotions Menus Amenities Event information Interaction with your brand Social media integration Secondly, ensure that the signage you are purchasing has a content management system (CMS) that allows you to customize the content, retaining brand consistency and reliability. Digital signage is an elegant, meaningful, and effective tool and your brand can be at the front and center if you manage the content in-house. Social media integration is another way for your brand to shine through digital signage. Users are able to share photos of your property along with your branding on their own social pages, combining peer recommendations with instant brand messaging. In short, keep the needs of your guests at the top of your mind and stay true to your brand.
Imagine that you come across an industry report detailing what to expect in your field over the next decade – a glimpse of the future. Curiosity piqued, you read through and realize that they are describing your company word for word. Do you know what this means? You work for the future! That is how we felt when we read the “From Chaos to Collaboration” report from Amadeus (which can be read and downloaded by following the link), under the heading “Intelligent Recommendation.” (p.28) “As technologies make it easier to tag and recommend all aspects of the travel experience, travelers will increasingly be influenced by their peers. However, internet search engines and expert advice will be equally important. The combination of the three will make the exploration of niche tastes or interests while traveling more accessible to a wider group of people.” (excerpt, “From Chaos to Collaboration” p. 28) This is what our Recommendation Network™ is all about. We have spent the last 3 years researching the hospitality industry to understand how it is that hotel guests want to be interacted with in today’s digital age. It became apparent very quickly that what travelers are looking for are trusted sources …