Michelle Oliver

Looking for a way to connect to others in your organization, in your physical community or in your global industry? Here are ideas to practice from your desk or while you take a 10 min walk in the park? Ann Shoket, CEO TheLi.st , offers these thoughts, “Networking can feel hard, vulnerable, and a drain. But our research shows that it’s not after-work drinks, or glad-handing networking events, or even splashy corporate retreats that build community. It’s tiny, daily ‘micro habits’ that create the support you need at work. There are people out there rooting for your success—stay in touch with them.” #networking #friendships #lifeskills

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We hear "two-sided marketplace" all the time but it's actually three sides — your company is the third side. And it's the side people don't talk about enough. It only truly works if the buyer wins, the seller wins, and your company wins. I say it's like a triangle. It's why people often tell me they think of ResortPass not as a "win-win" but a "win-win-win". Ultimately it has to be an equilateral triangle where users, partners, and the company see equal value. It won't necessarily always be static — at various parts of the journey you might choose to give users or partners more value, especially as you scale the business — but balancing these constituents ultimately over time is critical to ensuring ongoing success at a marketplace. Thank you to Entrepreneur Magazine for sharing more about how this and other company building strategies have been at the core of how we are creating ResortPass!

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Entrepreneurship is really hard. Consulting is really hard. Because there is typically no road map. At least there wasn’t for me. Or nearly anyone else I meet who is doing something similar. No matter the industry or offering. So based on my learnings. What’s worked. What hasn’t. And what I would encourage others to try. Or not try. I’ve built one for everyone else to use. But don’t take my word for it. Ask those who’ve had the same success. Because what worked for me, also worked for them. Check it out. 👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/gVpemxuw #consulting #consultant #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur

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🍽️ What makes a great hospitality leader? In my book The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap, I share key leadership strategies that helped me succeed in this demanding industry. Available October 15th on Amazon! 📢 And, 10% of sales will go to CHOW - Culinary Hospitality Outreach & Wellness (Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness) to support mental health initiatives for hospitality workers. #RestaurantLeadership #CHOWisushelpingus #TheHospitalityLeadersRoadmap

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Do you have a course, program, or membership that’s not converting the way you want it to? Your sales page might be missing one of these three things: 1️⃣Explain the problem. 2️⃣Empathize with your customers. 3️⃣Present your offer as the solution. It might seem complicated – and there’s definitely a lot of work behind it – but it all comes down to this. If your sales page is missing the mark, evaluate whether you’re doing these three things right. Does your sales page need an audit, a refresh, or a full-blown re-do? Let’s chat to come up with a game plan to make your sales page *sell* the way it’s supposed to. #salescopy #launchcopy

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Attention business owners and professionals! Are you seeking strategies to effectively navigate the knowledge-based economy and leverage information for real-world impact? The upcoming LinkedIn Local North Shore event on June 18th is tailored just for you. Unlock Knowledge Impact This event, titled "Harnessing Knowledge for Real-World Impact," will provide valuable insights and actionable techniques to help you: 👉Manage information overload and overwhelm 👉Filter, evaluate, and leverage the vast amount of available information 👉Make informed decisions and drive innovation 👉Stay competitive in the digital age Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, policymaker, or a professional aiming to enhance your skills, this event promises to deliver valuable knowledge and practical takeaways. Event Highlights 😎 Insightful discussions with expert speakers Alexandra Quinn and Mark Schiralli 🙌 Audience Q&A session to address your specific queries 👍 Networking opportunities to expand your professional circle Don't miss this chance to connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable knowledge, and unlock the power of information for your business or professional endeavors. Secure your free ticket now: https://lnkd.in/g9WAm6ZX See you at the LinkedIn Local North Shore event on June 18th! #LinkedInLocal #KnowledgeEconomy #NetworkingEvent #SydneyEvents

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The vacation rental industry is evolving faster than ever. And the timeline to evolve is compressing faster than ever. As I interact with the industry on a daily basis, I become more and more convinced of these two thesis points. Exciting times. But also dangerous. There is little room for error. Hospitality pros are honing their hospitality craft. The amateur-minded are falling behind quickly. The end of 2024 and into 2025 will bring strong shifts. And one of the continued leaders will be Vrbo / Expedia Group Partnerships with their strong focus on the best vacation properties, family groups, and amazing guest experiences. And what seems to be the leader in vacation rental loyalty - One Key. On this week's The Art of Hospitality Podcast we enjoy a great discussion with Tim Rosolio to dig into Vrbo's perspective of the industry and plans to evolve heading into 2025. We cover... - What can we learn from OTAs - Stylistic and foundational ideas - How does VRBO think about “stacking the vacation rental shelves” of the Expedia OTA - Challenge of brining software platforms together - Why was VRBO conversion down for a bit - How is conversion starting to pick up again - How is Expedia/VRBO thinking about loyalty - Expedia OneKey loyalty program - Tools directed at integrated property managers - Maximum value comes from one platform - Innovation coming to the loyalty space - Vacation rental clubs to drive revenue - Expedia & VRBO marketing and brand awareness - VRBO’s focus on family travelers - Focused on the best inventory, not the most inventory - Why VRBO vs HomeAway - Professional VRM = a professionalized hospitality experience Enjoy the listen... https://lnkd.in/e-Ux53V6

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Like a good chef, professional vacation rental management is all about blending. The art AND science of balancing, and thriving with, the wide variety of demands that come our way on a daily basis. On this week's The Art of Hospitality Podcast, we enjoy a great chat with Bryndee Barton discussing how Loma Homes balances and blends. Great topics of discussion include... - Take action - Value of starting something new - Value of hearing opposing views - Value of data to make decisions - Themed homes - Data-driven design - Themes + experience - Run it like a business - Fully stocked vs. quality - Quantity of amenities vs. guest count - Photography vs. quality - Lower costs can’t detract from experience - Now is the time to prepare for updated photography - Send two photographers? - Display experience through photography - Focus on the 5 senses for experience - Naming and branding homes - Sourcing supplies - Value of Instagram - Value of being open to change and new ideas - Influencer strategy Enjoy... https://lnkd.in/e9U6FXv2

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Today's summary contains comments from yesterday and today's experiences at GTMO.

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This is what effective leadership looks like… To take a deeper dive into how to become an effective leader or take your leadership to the next level, grab your copy of The Hospitality Leader’s Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/book. #hospitality #leadership #investinyourself #effectiveleadership #leadershipbook

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On this episode of the Customer's First Podcast, we are joined by Laurie Barkman, a Business Transition Sherpa. She shares her journey from CEO to expert in business transitions and acquisitions. Laurie emphasizes the importance of mindset in the transition process, noting that our mindset influences our actions and can impact the success of our business transitions.

She discusses the concept of attachment and detachment for business owners, highlighting the need to detach from their businesses to enable successful transitions. Laurie also addresses the risks of dependency factors in businesses, such as owner dependence and lack of documentation, which can affect a business's salability.

Furthermore, Laurie shares insights on financial planning for business owners looking to exit their businesses. She stresses the significance of knowing the value of one's business and creating a financial plan that incorporates personal and business financial aspects. She introduces the concept of the "value gap estimator" to help entrepreneurs assess their financial readiness for transition.

Moreover, Laurie provides valuable advice on the seller reality check, emphasizing that buyers operate on their own timelines and that businesses should be ready for sale at any time. She also gives a glimpse into her course, Endgame Entrepreneurship, which guides entrepreneurs through the exit planning process and offers community support and group advisory to ensure a successful transition.   Laurie’s Contact Information: Website: https://lnkd.in/eqXsUWJY Book: BusinessTransitionHandbook Social Media Profiles: @lauriebarkman Tacey’s Contact Information: All of Tacey’s social media profiles are linked there and here: https://lnkd.in/g7gdBmm6 Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to having more valuable conversations together in the future. Remember: Customer-Centric Cultures Create Magical Customer Experiences. Now Go, Create the Magic! #Podcast, #customersfirst, #spillthetea, @taceyatkinson, @podpros #PodMatch @LaurieBarkman #BusinessTransitionSherpa  

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Boost Retention: How Engagement Transforms Workplace Culture Experiencing a labor shortage? It could be a retention issue. Discover how fostering engagement and a sense of safety can make your workplace a thriving hub where employees feel valued and eager to grow. Transform your team's culture today! #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceCulture #RetentionStrategies #LaborShortage #Leadership

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"An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." — Winston S. Churchill 2024 is a shifting tide in the vacation rental industry. Do you see opportunities or challenges? The industry is evolving faster than ever. And the timeline to evolve is moving faster than ever. Crucial decisions are being made and executed every day. Choose the right team. The right partners. The right tools and processes. Ultimately, choose if vacation rental hospitality is your passion. We'll all need passion as we embrace the opportunities racing our way. And don't count out the underdogs. 🐕 Love this week's The Art of Hospitality Podcast chat with Wes Smithe of Direct covering... - The value of the underdog - Underdogs more about consistent work behind the scenes than a surprise - Stack small wins - Disrupting the PMS space - How to choose what to build - Get rid of bloat - What does the customer really need - Precision comes from simplicity - What is the shelf-life of a PMS - Evolving to a place where VRMs starting to know what they need - Slow down to speed up - Onboarding new technology - One-click onboarding? - Lack of technology collaboration - Property management requires expertise in a multitude of disciplines - Systems need to be highly configurable - Product lifecycles - Economic and product confidence - Build vs buy - Products that can scale from 1 to thousands - Configurable and scalable - Times change, build what you believe in - Consolidation too early - PMS landscape wide open Enjoy the listen... https://lnkd.in/e4j7cW9Z

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Your solution might be the problem. When you try to fix something, it’s easy to end up making things worse. This often happens when you focus more on getting attention than on really understanding what your customers need. Trying to be visible can lead to shallow connections that don’t last. To build stronger relationships and achieve real success, focus on having genuine interactions that truly meet your customers’ expectations.

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Brand Dedication, Scalability, and the Power of Simplicity I had the privilege of attending the We Work Well Inc conference at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. It was a whirlwind of face-to-face conversations, both with familiar faces and new connections. But more than the networking, it was the insights from the brilliant speaker lineup that left a lasting impression. Three high-touch brands—Life Time Inc., Equinox, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts—each brought their unique voice to the stage, sharing wisdom on scaling, brand integrity, and the importance of fundamentals. What resonated with me most was their unwavering dedication to their core consumer. In an age where many brands attempt to appeal to everyone, it was a refreshing reminder that trying to be a brand for everyone means being a brand for no one. Lifetime: Longevity as a Super Trend 🎤 Jeff Zwiefel Longevity is no longer just a trend; it’s a super-trend. But delivering a full-service wellness experience at scale is no small feat. High-touch at scale is challenging, and the complexity of scalability requires an approach that remains simple at its core. Equinox: Precision Over Speed 🎤 Matt Delaney “You are only as good as your most recent opening.” This reminder from Equinox emphasized that the member experience is at the forefront of everything. Sometimes, inaction beats action. It’s not about being the first; it’s about being right. Equinox focuses on calculated decisions rather than rushing to be first in the market. Precision often trumps speed when it comes to delivering consistent, high-quality service. Four Seasons: Flawless Fundamentals and EOI 🎤 Michael J Newcombe Four Seasons offered a refreshing perspective on honoring tradition and delivering the fundamentals flawlessly. Their philosophy is clear: before anything else, “make sure the orange juice is fresh and the coffee is hot”. In other words, focus on perfecting the basics before chasing innovation. They also introduced a concept that deserves more attention—EOI, or Effort on Investment. We talk about ROI constantly, but what about the effort required to implement new ideas? We need to weigh the potential return against how difficult it will be to execute. This is a valuable framework and something I will consider when making decisions moving forward. These three brands, each with its own unique voice, shared a common thread: they are laser-focused on their core consumer. The power of a clear brand voice and unwavering dedication to a defined consumer base was a theme echoed across these powerhouse presenters. This alignment with their core values is what fuels their success, and it’s a lesson all organizations should take to heart. Scalability may be sophisticated, but simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. #Scalability #Simplicity #BrandVoice

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Boutique hotel owners, cultivating an ownership mindset within your team is essential for your business's success. When your staff thinks and acts like business owners, they take greater responsibility, make better decisions, and drive your hotel's growth. Click through for actionable tips on fostering this mindset and empowering your team to take ownership of their roles. Ready to elevate your team and transform your boutique hotel? Visit www.Kaizen.zone for exclusive insights and personalized strategies. Let's work together to make your business thrive! 📧 [email protected]   🌐 www.kaizen.zone #TeamDevelopment #StaffTraining #OwnershipMindset #HospitalityExcellence #BoutiqueHotel #BoutiqueHotelOwner #HotelOwners #HospitalityTips #CustomerExperience #PowerOfPeople #CreatingACulture #Kaizen

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In the first part of this two-part series, Claire Steven, our VP of Food and Beverage, provided insights on where to start when investing in hotel technology. Now, in Part 2, she dives into the crucial considerations for selecting the right property management system (PMS) for your hotel's needs. Titled "Choosing the Right Hotel PMS: Considerations and Best Practices," this insightful post covers: 🔹Speaking with fellow hoteliers about vendor service levels 🔹Weighing integrated vs best-in-class solutions  🔹The importance of a robust CRM for guest data 🔹Capitalising on direct bookings vs OTAs 🔹The growing role of AI in hospitality  🔹Automating manual processes to enhance the guest journey With the significant investment required for a new PMS, Claire shares valuable guidance to ensure you make the right choice aligned with your business objectives. Read the full blog post here:https://lnkd.in/e7GwA6vK #HotelTech #HospitalityTechnology #PMS #HotelOperations #RevenueManagement #GuestExperience #AI #Automation #HotelMarketing #DirectBookings

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