matt peterson
Saying Goodbye to 2020 With Gratitude
Matt Peterson | January 8, 2021
By Matt Peterson This past year has been a tough one; a year which was, for many, filled with suffering and loss and I for one, alongside most others, could not wait for 2021 to commence. In reflecting on the last 12 months, I have consciously decided to adopt a different mentality for what lies ahead. I recently came across a quote from the theologian Paul Tillich which read “suffering introduces you to yourself and reminds you that you are not the person you thought you were.” It was followed by the comment, “suffering teaches us gratitude.” Wow. So, in retrospective, I choose to reflect on 2020 with gratitude. I am grateful f...
Key Questions on Employees’ Minds Right Now, Part II/II
James Houran | July 2, 2020
By James Houran & Matt Peterson Many hospitality students and professionals around the world recently participated in AETHOS’ series of development webinars. These sessions offered attendees the opportunity to complete the 20|20 Skills™ assessment to gain a personal SWOT analysis to help them navigate these challenging times of occupational crisis and change. Interestingly, the attendees consistently voiced certain concerns and follow-up questions. We wanted, therefore, to address these issues publicly for the benefit of business owners, leaders, and HR professionals who are eager to understand the issues presently on the minds ...
Key Questions on Employees’ Minds Right Now, Part I/II
James Houran | May 28, 2020
By James Houran, Matt Peterson Many hospitality students and professionals around the world recently participated in AETHOS’ series of development webinars. These sessions offered attendees the opportunity to complete the 20|20 Skills™ assessment to gain a personal SWOT analysis to help them navigate these challenging times of occupational crisis and change. Interestingly, the attendees consistently voiced certain concerns and follow-up questions. We wanted, therefore, to address these issues publicly for the benefit of business owners, leaders, and HR professionals who are eager to understand the issues presently on the minds of th...
A Look Ahead – The Lodging Conference 2019
Andrew Hazelton | September 18, 2019
By Andrew Hazelton and Matt Peterson Later this month the 25th Annual Lodging Conference will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona, an event that historically caps off the “conference year” for many in the hotel business. It is a time to reconnect with industry friends and colleagues, but it also gives us a few days to pause and reflect on the past year and speculate on the year to come. Heading into the event there are a number of agenda items that pique our interest, so let’s dive in. The State of the Union: Like many of those attending, we have a high level of curiosity as to how key leaders and economic experts feel about the ge...
Mobile Technology Trends for 2019 and Beyond
Matt Peterson | August 14, 2019
By Matt Peterson Over the first half of this year, I have been able to network and brainstorm with senior executives in the hotel, travel, and technology spaces. Although the conversations all came from slightly different angles, there were many similarities that all drove toward one core topic — the experience. Interestingly, “the experience,” as we have deemed it, didn’t just relate to the forward-facing guest or customer, but also to the employees and their needs and wants. The other common denominator, and this is not surprising, was the need for all-things-tech-related to be mobile-friendly. As we move into the year 2020 and b...
Successfully Recruiting Hotel Executives in the 21st Century
Matt Peterson | August 9, 2019
By Matt Peterson Extreme competitiveness in today’s business world demands that hotel companies consistently outthink and outpace companies within and outside their immediate hospitality verticals. Such competitors include cruise lines, home-sharing, and other luxury or niche experiences like “glamping,” all of which constantly strive to dominate market share. Identifying and securing superstars for senior leadership roles is the cornerstone for ongoing company performance in branding and profit share. Here, companies must be forward-thinking by looking at the “best-in-class” talent from other segments and specifically those w...
The Employee Benefit Hotel Businesses Can’t Afford Not to Offer
Andrew Hazelton | March 5, 2019
by Andrew Hazelton and Matt Peterson Hotel organizations in today's global marketplace compete heavily, not just among one another but also with other service-focused verticals and customer-facing businesses, in attracting and retaining top talent. Robust compensation and benefits packages certainly help meet candidates' conditions of satisfaction, but these are not enough anymore for retention in the absence of one specific benefit – namely, a company culture devoted to "employee engagement." Defining Employee Engagement Employee engagement is a very old premise, but it has become an increasingly hot topic for our industry over t...
2019 and Lodging Technology: Is There a One-Size-Fits-All Approach?
Matt Peterson | February 1, 2019
By Matt Peterson Turning the page on another calendar year is always fun and reflective. As we look to 2019, there are some interesting trends and new technologies that should continue to impact the lodging industry. Following is a look into two specific groups, employee and customer experiences, and how we should continue to embrace technology so it can positively affect the bottom line. With higher costs and questionable growth over the next few years, employee costs and retention will continue to be a hot topic. It goes without saying that a "happy" or "satisfied" employee is more likely to stay with their employer, but how do we mak...
