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Josiah Mackenzie

1091 posts
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  • 6 min

Creating Careers, Not Just Jobs: How to Recruit, Retain, and Inspire Great Hospitality Talent – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

👨‍🎓 In San Francisco, recruiting for the hotel industry is challenging due to diminished excitement, negative perceptions, and lack of promotion about the benefits of working in hospitality. The pandemic has caused long-term impacts, and housing costs in locations like the Florida Keys and Wyoming exacerbate the issue. Hybrid work models further complicate recruitment since hotel roles like front desk and housekeeping require onsite presence. Strategies to attract and retain staff include emphasizing skill development for future careers and creating a fun, engaging work environment.
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  • 6 min

Creating Careers, Not Just Jobs: How to Recruit, Retain, and Inspire Great Hospitality Talent – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

📌 In San Francisco, recruiting for the hotel industry is challenging due to a lack of promotion for the benefits of working in hotels, the aftermath of the pandemic, and competition with the tech industry. Housing costs and the need for non-hybrid roles further complicate recruitment. To attract and retain staff, the industry focuses on creating clear development paths, highlighting transferable skills, and fostering an engaging, fun work environment. These efforts aim to make hotels a training ground for skills applicable across various industries, despite high turnover among young workers seeking tech careers.
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  • 4 min

Execution is Everything: Turning Hospitality Ideas into Exceptional Guest Experiences – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

📌 Steven highlighted the significance of execution in achieving success, referencing a guiding quote: "a strategy without execution is just a dream." He emphasized the importance of execution in technology and the guest experience in hospitality. Steven and his team face challenges like system integration failures and hectic events like San Francisco's Fleet Week. Preparation for such events, like Fleet Week which occurs annually after Columbus Day, involves months of planning and communication to ensure a smooth guest experience. Training is deemed a crucial element in fostering a culture of execution.
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  • 1 min

Why I Stayed: How Growth, Culture, and Opportunity Kept Me in Hospitality – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

🏩 On March 31, 2025, Steven Marais, Vice President of Rooms at Noble House Hotels & Resorts, shared his career journey from bellman to VP on the Hospitality Daily Podcast. He discussed the significance of company culture and growth opportunities in the hospitality sector and offered insights into managing change within the industry. The episode covers his initial steps into hospitality, the expansiveness of career opportunities available, his current VP role, and the impact of technology on the sector. Marais also touched on the value of career longevity and his transition from Kimpton to Noble House, emphasizing the importance of a strong team culture.
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  • 19 min

What Hospitality Leaders Stopped Talking About (And Why It Matters Now) – Anna Blue

🏨🏨 Key facts extracted from the text: - Anna Blue, former president of the AHLA Foundation, discussed hospitality industry changes, DEI, and women's empowerment programs. - The hospitality industry is experiencing chaos, uncertainty, and silence on important issues. - DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is a major topic behind closed doors but not publicly addressed. - There's confusion about DEI due to executive orders and varying company responses. - Women's empowerment programs are criticized for being ineffective and focusing on "fixing" women rather than creating access to power. - Leaders need to focus on training decision makers to overcome biases and create diversity in hiring. - There is discussion in the hospitality industry about the impact of immigration reform, but it's not being publicly addressed. - Leaders need to consider creating real opportunities and programs for all employees, especially those in service positions. In summary, Anna Blue reveals uncertainties and challenges in the hospitality industry, including quietude on DEI and women's empowerment issues. She urges leaders to train decision-makers to eradicate biases and craft genuine opportunities for diverse teams. The impact of immigration reform on the industry is a closed-door discussion that requires public attention and leadership action.
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How to ‘Disneyfy’ Your Hospitality Business to Delight Guests and Drive Revenue – Vance Morris

🎭 Vance Morris, former Disney leader and founder of Deliver Service Now, discusses transforming hospitality businesses by applying Disney's techniques to enhance guest experiences and boost revenue. Episode aired on March 28, 2025, providing insights into leveraging proven Disney systems for business improvement. Additional resources and music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound are also mentioned.
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  • 1 min

Sustainability That Pays: How One Hotel Saved $45,000 on Trash Bags – Kathy Sue McGuire

🚿 Kathy Sue McGuire, President and CEO of Sustainable Hospitality Solutions, on March 26, 2025, shared how one hotel saved $45,000 on trash bags by adopting sustainable practices. Implementing sustainability strategies, such as switching to toiletries dispensers and reducing plastic disposables, not only cut costs but also increased revenue and employee engagement. Sustainability was presented as a smart business practice for hotels, with the potential to grow revenue and create positive team dynamics.
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