Where is RM going in 2011

To all memebers:

2011 is around the corner and every owner is expecting to have a better year. How are you going to provide this? Reports surface from all areas of the country stating that travel is on the rise and occupancy will rise at least by 4% or so. However RevPar will probably not increase. In the following year RM will play a decisive role in how the property will perform. Is your property up to the task?  What steps are you as a GM, or RM going to take to tackle this problem. You will be expected to improve your property numbers next year owners will no longer take excuses if you don't. Your career in some cases is on the line, and owners are looking over your shoulders. RM has evolved in all aspects of the industry, it is now being used in F&B Banquets, Ancillary outlets and much more. You are now responsible for all financial outlets. The problem with some properties is that some of the managers in charge of RM are not experienced enough to handle RM like it should be. RM will require it's own department along with assistants to handle the data that will be needed to truly achieve the goal. I now see that head hunters are requiring future GM,S to have RM experience in their resume. Those that do not will find it difficult to compete with those that have it.

I just got back from several seminars on the role of Rm, and it is quite obvious that it is no longer a side job of the reservation manager or sales department. I heard from DOS that they would welcome a separate RM department, for DOS don't really understand the concept. Some went so far as to say that they have never liked it and did not appreciate having the RM issue added to their responsibility. Any time there is something new that we don't understand we see it as a threat.  Now how as members of this forum are planing on developing or implementing you strategy of RM for 2011

Are you going to be one of the heroes or one of the casualties?

Alan Campbell CHA CMP, CHRM