The Boutique Search Firm Blog

From a deep, long lasting recession, the hospitality industry jumped overnight, (about three years ago) into a period of enthusiastic and unbridled growth. Airports and industrial suburbs, where most of the “traveling salesman” types continue to stay, no longer appeal to the “hip” developer. Downtown and urban areas is where hotel development has been taking […]

It has been my job, over several years (and then some) to interview candidates and, better yet, coach them on the interviewing process. There are Six Senses to life, but Seven Senses to interviewing. SIGHT What will you be seeing during your interview, and what will the interviewer see?  A fashionable and demure outfit is […]

Nothing has changed more over the past 25 years or so than the once indestructible custom of Holiday Wishes. I remember the days when advertising agencies would go all out to prepare spectacular, multi-page cards for luxury and not-so-luxury hotels. They were often a collaborative effort between the agency and the management team at the […]

To be for or against Donald Trump is now irrelevant: in January 2017, he will officially become our President and Commander in Chief. We may or may not like any of his policies, and have issues with his character. One thing remains: he is a Hotelman, an Innkeeper, and will have a natural tendency to […]

A few years ago, when hospitality (ever so) slowly discovered technology, we created the position of “Computer Guy” or MIS administrator. He was the underpaid nerd, who was pale as a ghost for working nights only, was paid a pittance and was never invited to department head meetings. Gradually, with the advent of such information […]

Up to six times a year, many of my favorite clients (with their spouses and some of their key employees in tow) disappear to mostly glamorous locales. In recent years, these have included Rome, Paris, Cape Town, Tokyo, Vienna, Amsterdam, Lausanne, Cannes and of course, every year, there is Las Vegas, there is London and […]

I like small things, as in small cars, small cockapoos, small books, small portions and small watches (a big shiny Rolex makes me cringe, but its a personal thing). Yet there is one thing I will never like nor enjoy: a small hotel room. It’s because I am very fortunate to have a very large […]

If you are in any way connected with the larger issues of hospitality and a reader of this blog, you are familiar with the proposed College of Business at Cornell University. Being a long-time graduate of Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration, I readily admit my education there made me the successful professional I have been […]

Happy New Year. Here is a classic scenario: after graduating from Cornell, Lausanne or Michigan State, you have enjoyed a steadily rising career with Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt, InterContinental or some of the other big guys. Do not feel you have to remain in the corporate world: my recommendation would be in fact just the […]