Podcast
Hospitality Daily Podcast
Hosted by Josiah Mackenzie · EN
Stay informed and inspired to delight people and grow your business with daily conversations with interesting people doing interesting things. Hosted by Josiah Mackenzie.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why We Break the Rules to Deliver a Feeling - Lily Wecker, Aethos
Jun 3000:11:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Lily Wecker, CEO of Aethos, shares how her teams break hotel brand standards to deliver a feeling rather than a checklist. You'll hear why one property has no TVs in the rooms, why she tells front desk teams to observe guests instead of predicting what they want, and how a GM in Sardinia turned beach rocks into welcome-card holders.This conversation is hosted by our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker.Also see:Human-to-Human: Rethinking Luxury Hospitality - Lily Wecker, AethosBuilding and operating Aethos Hotels: Europe’s next great hotel brandLimestone Capital’s value investment strategyStaying Consistently Creative and Relevant in Food & Beverage - Marc Lores Panades, Aethos Hotels A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
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Human-to-Human: Rethinking Luxury Hospitality - Lily Wecker, Aethos
Jun 2900:12:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Lily Wecker, CEO of Aethos, explains why she believes the future of luxury hospitality is shifting away from status and product, and toward genuine human connection. In conversation with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker, she shares how Aethos is redefining luxury through community, belonging, and a human-to-human approach to service. It's a fresh perspective on how guest expectations are evolving and what hospitality leaders should be thinking about next.Also see:Building and operating Aethos Hotels: Europe’s next great hotel brandLimestone Capital’s value investment strategyStaying Consistently Creative and Relevant in Food & Beverage - Marc Lores Panades, Aethos Hotels A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
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Listening to Yourself: A Hotel CEO on the Setback That Reset Her Leadership - Lily Wecker, Aethos
Jun 2900:06:51Tap to summarizeThis episode introduces our week-long series with Lily Wecker, CEO of Aethos, in conversation with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker. She reflects on her journey and a pivotal moment that changed how she thinks about success, leadership, and listening to yourself. A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
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Where AI Actually Pays Off in Hospitality, and What Owners Should Demand - Ben Rafter, Hotel Equities
Jun 2600:11:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Rafter, CEO of Hotel Equities, shares where he believes AI is already delivering measurable results in hospitality and why operational applications are advancing faster than guest-facing experiences. He explains how Hotel Equities evaluates and tests new technology through HE Labs, the questions hotel owners should ask when selecting a management company, and where he sees AI driving hotel performance in the years ahead.Learn more: HE Labs by Hotel EquitiesHotel Equities CEO: Here’s Which Technologies Can Actually Lift Owner Margins [Skift]Previously on the show:What Happens When a Tech CEO Leads a Hotel Company - Ben RafterTech CEO-Turned-Hotel CEO Shares Tech Advice - Ben Rafter A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
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How AI Addresses the Biggest Cost in a Hotel: Labor (Ben Rafter, Hotel Equities)
Jun 2500:10:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Rafter, CEO of Hotel Equities, shares how his team is using AI, data, and real-time operational insights to improve labor management, often the largest controllable expense in a hotel. He explains how better scheduling and smarter decision-making create opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining the guest experience. You'll also hear why data alone isn't enough and how intelligent recommendations help hotel leaders think more like owners.Learn more: HE Labs by Hotel EquitiesHotel Equities CEO: Here’s Which Technologies Can Actually Lift Owner Margins [Skift]Previously on the show:What Happens When a Tech CEO Leads a Hotel Company - Ben RafterTech CEO-Turned-Hotel CEO Shares Tech Advice - Ben Rafter A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
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Hard Truths on Hotel Tech: Unfiltered Insider Advice - Josiah Mackenzie
Oct 27, 2024Tap to summarizeJosiah Mackenzie has spent over 20 years building, selling, and buying technology. In this tell-all episode, he shares his insider's guide to buying, implementing, and getting the most out of hotel technology today.Listen now to learn:Why technology is essential in today’s fast-paced hospitality landscapeKey steps to take before searching for technology solutionsProven methods for evaluating tech solutionsTips for making a strong business case and getting buy-in How to implement technology in a way that helps you get the results you needStrategies for succeeding with technology over the long term (including insider "hacks" for getting VIP treatment)Timestamps:Introduction & Why This MattersMy Background [10:03] Coding & first steps in software[11:54] ReviewPro (operations)[13:36] Duetto (revenue management)[14:34] Juniper Square (investment management)[16:16] The benefits of a career in hotel techBefore You Start Looking for Technology[17:16] Start with problems[18:15] Innovation through observation[19:49] Collecting stakeholder needs How to Evaluate Technology[21:22] Ask trusted hospitality professionals[22:51] Research online (Hotel Tech Report)[24:55] Move beyond typical demos[25:51] Have meaningful conversations[26:11] Compare provider engagement stylesMaking the Purchase[31:34] Building the business case[32:00] Getting buy-in[34:16] Contract negotiation Implementation & Success[37:39] Cross-functional team involvement[38:07] Staged rollout approach[39:37] Working with implementation teams[42:22] Internal marketing importance[43:43] Maintaining momentumLong-term Success[44:03] Staying connected with tech partners[45:04] Being a customer reference[45:54] Participating in user groups[46:29] Continuous evaluationResources mentioned:The Story Behind Hospitality Daily (Josiah Mackenzie, interviewed by Steve Turk)What's Happening in Hotel Tech Today? - Jordan Hollander, Hotel Tech ReportA few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
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