May the Innovative Spirit Win: An Interview with Ian Schrager

Ian Schrager is an iconic hotelier because he introduced the boutique hotel concepts to the industry. Today, almost every hotel chain is rushing to get in the boutique hotel market. I am very pleased to share this CNN News video about Ian Schrager. The topic, however, was not about boutique hotels. Rather, Ian Schrager talked about a much broader topic --- innovation.

“You cannot create something new by asking people what they want because they will always tell you what they know.” Iran Schrager introduced what he likes to the market and became the leader of the trends.
To make the true contribution, a person must “breaking the mold” and dare to do something that nobody has tried before.
When Iran Schrager sees a great picture or article, he will take it out and post it on the wall --- not because he wants to manipulate others’ idea, (it looks like) he gains inspirations from others’ work.
Iran Schrager is not afraid of making mistakes. I believe, if a person chooses to be a leader of some sort, s/he needs to get ready to face a variety of obstacles because nobody, except the leader himself/herself, is doing the “new things.”

I truly feel that Iran Schrager’s interview is very inspiring. Being an innovative leader is not easy. Nevertheless, following others’ work or path will not help a person make a true impact on what s/he is passionate about. Do you have what it takes to become an innovative leader?

Comments

Luxury vs. Millennials and Their Technology: The Ritz-Carlton (By Julia Shorr)

Embodying the finest luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC has been established since 1983. In 1998, Marriott International purchased the brand offering it more opportunity for growth while being independently owned and operated. They are known for their enhanced service level as the motto states, “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”. The luxury brand now carries 97 hotels and resorts internationally and is attempting to keep the aspects of luxury while keeping up with the trends of the technologically improving generations. The Varying Demographics of the Target Market The Ritz-Carlton’s typical target market includes: business executives, corporate, leisure travelers, typically middle-aged persons and elders, and families from the upper and upper-middle class section of society . This infers a large range of types of travelers in which all are similar in that they are not opposed to spending extra for the luxurious ambiance. However, with

The challenges of SB 93 (California Senate Bill No. 93) will impose on the employers and their human resource management team (by Brittany Schaffer)

The COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020, and it has caused massive changes within a short period of time. One of the most rememberable effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was that businesses had to come to a complete halt, forcing them to lay off employees. California's unemployment rates went up. Now that the stay-at-home orders have lifted, people start to come out. Businesses are now reopening, looking to rehire their laid-off employees. Before the pandemic, employers had the option of recalling only a certain number of laid-off employees they would want to rehire based on employees' job performance. That option had been changed after Governor Gavin Newsome signed into law - Senate Bill 93, which went into effect on April 16th, 2021. The California Senate Bill No. 93 (SB 93) According to SB 93, companies in specific industries, mainly the hospitality industry, have the obligation to provide job opportunities in written form to qualified employees being laid off due to COVI

Is It OK for Hotel Staff to Wear Piercings and Tattoos?

Time has changed. I see more and more college students wearing piercings and tattoos nowadays, but is it OK for hotel staff to wear piercings and tattoos? The answer is “no, no, no.” According a report at USAToday.com, customers across the board do not want to see any hotel workers with pierced eyebrow, pierced tongue, tattooed arm, or nose ring. Some may argue that tattooed and pierced workers may seem more acceptable in edgy boutique hotels as compared to the big franchised hotels, but the survey results did not find any differences among a variety of lodging products. Many respondents believe people who wear visible tattoos and piercings are taking a high risk of their professional lives. If you stay in a hotel, do you mind being served by tattooed and/or pierced staff? What if you are the one who makes the hiring decision? References: USAToday.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010 Picture was downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010P

Linchi Kwok, Ph.D.

Search This Blog