Welcome to our HRM 1030 Class - Technology for the Hospitality Industry!

The best way to learn about technology is to use it. In this class we work primarily on the computer. A course specific website is setup for student’s to have access 24/7 to the class syllabus and school policies. In addition, chapter PowerPoint presentations are posted to the site, as well as, a variety of technology website links that student’s are encouraged to visit.

Technology is ALWAYS changing! What is current today may not be applicable tomorrow. Therefore, we must be on the lookout for changes, updates, and new technological advances in and around the hospitality industry. Our goal is not to be computer programmers; but, we must familiarize ourselves with the basics. As stated in our Managing Technology in the Hospitality Industry textbook,

". . . in order to use technology, a manager does not need to learn
the intricacies of electronic circuitry etched on silicon chips.
The manager simply needs to learn the commands by which
to instruct the system to carry out the desired functions."

Keeping this in mind, each week students are responsible for sharing with the class a current article that details something new, or a change, or an update in technology for the hospitality industry! Yes, the article has to be submitted electronically - via email to me, the instructor. But, students learn about technology by using it along the way. We tackle technology from as many aspects as we can from creating tri-fold brochures using Microsoft Word and learning the parts of a computer to watching videos on how advanced payroll systems are today!

There are a number of systems utilized in the hospitality industry with the property management system (PMS) being required among hotels, and the point of sale (POS) system being required within restaurants. During each class session, students access PMS simulation modules designed to take them through basic hotel responsibilities from the check-in process to balancing the end of a shift. As a highlight to the course, students are welcomed into area hotels and restaurants to see firsthand the ins and outs of a real-life PMS and POS.

Technology in the hospitality industry is moving and here at The Chef’s Academy we’re moving right along with it!

Please note that HRM 1030 is just one of the industry specific courses offered in our Hospitality & Restaurant Management Program. Join us to learn more about the ever-changing world of technology!

Jokima Hiller, MBA, Hospitality & Restaurant
Management Program Coordinator
Blog Editor – Emily Warner-Hoover, MLS, Librarian

The Chef's Academy on the Web
The Chef's Academy on Facebook
The Chef's Academy on Myspace

When Everybody's Late!

Written By:
Jokima Hiller, HRM Program Coordinator at The Chef’s Academy
Jill Woods, GM & Advisory Board Member at The Chef’s Academy

Please note that names have been changed to protect the innocent!

It was approximately 1:00am in the morning as I sat in my office hovered over a garbage can with one eye on the camera that was focused on the hotel’s front desk. I was sick and it had been at least a decade since the last time I had vomited. Yet I, General Manager of a hotel with a full and capable staff was stuck working at a time when I felt my worse. Why? Let’s look at the events of the day . . .

Donny, who was the night auditor, was late. His shift started 2 hours ago and he insisted that he was “on his way!” But, the damage was already done – my bed, medicine, and easy background music would have to wait.

It was approximately 3:00pm in the afternoon as I single-handedly managed two lines at the desk checking guests in, answering the phone, making reservations, and being as helpful as I could to a lobby full of people in spite of my painful stomach ache. Tyrone was late and Tracy couldn’t stay not one minute over. She “had plans” and Tyrone was not answering his cell phone. The damage was already done as guests were forming their first impressions of our establishment.

It was approximately 7:45am in the morning as I jogged down the halls of the hotel delivering USA Today newspapers with the hotels cordless phone strapped to my side, wiping sleep out of my eyes, wishing I had brought some medicine for my headache, and hoping no one was waiting at the unattended front desk. Tracy was late, no reason was given when she strolled in at 8:00am, one hour after her shift was to start. The damage was already done as proven by the electronic customer surveys that came in that afternoon with comments like “Sure missed getting a morning newspaper today.”

When everybody’s late, a business, especially one in the hospitality industry, tends to die a slow and painful death. We sell experiences in our hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops, clubs, casinos and when everybody’s late guest experiences become negatively impacted. What kind of experience did we sell that day when Donny, Tracy, and Tyrone were late? Keep in mind this was just ONE department! What if similar circumstances were happening in the housekeeping, maintenance, and sales areas?

A manager of a business walks a fine line each day, trying to be sensitive to an employees’ life outside of work while trying to keep the business profitable so the employee still has a job to go to. This is a challenge all businesses are facing especially in these economic times. What sounds like a nightmare day and evening for one manager is actually the sign of a much larger problem. What if that manager had appointments scheduled that day that could have greatly impacted the hotels success and job stability for all involved? What if other employees were stepping in to fill the gap accumulating costly overtime? What if this manager had the swine flu and risked infecting guests and employees?

Each employee makes a daily choice to positively or negatively affect others on their job. Review your attendance practices at school, events, at work and assess the damage. You are a necessary part of the business you work for . . . is your impact positive or negative? Just think of what might happen if everyone was on time! Let’s rewrite the story . . .

It was approximately 1:00am in the morning as I sat in my room hovered over a garbage can with one eye on the Soap Net channel. I was sick and it had been at least a decade since the last time I had vomited. I, General Manager of a hotel with a full and capable staff was stuck at home resting, taking my medicine, trying to get better. Why? Let’s look at the events of the day . . .

Donny, Tracy, and Tyrone were on time, early even, when they heard their manager would be out-of-the office. They knew how important they were to the overall operations of the hotel. When everyone’s on time, business can operate as usual! No damage is done.

The Chef's Academy on the Web
The Chef's Academy on Facebook
The Chef's Academy on Myspace

“We Change Lives, One Student at a Time!"