Hotels Can Use Videos to Generate Bookings

FACTS: ·         YouTube is claiming that more than 1 billion unique users visit its website each month. ·         Users spend more than 6 billion hours watching videos. ·         More and more businesses are using videos to promote better awareness of their products. ·         YouTube is the most used site for travel videos. ·         Travelers are…

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When is the Right Time to Sell Your Business?

In my years as a business broker, I have occasionally experienced the sad situation of business owners who waited too long to sell their businesses. These business owners all had different circumstances and situations, but all left their business in less than optimal scenarios. One of these sellers, we’ll call him Al, established a family…

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Improve Your Business in 2011!

Happy New Year!! Did you make any New Year Resolutions? Exercise more? Eat healthier? Spend more time with the kids? How about New Year Resolutions related to your business? Will you make a commitment to improve your business in 2011? Can I offer you a challenge for 2011: Resolve to keep accurate, timely financial records….

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A Summary of Positive Signs & Statistics from the Lodging Industry

A Summary of Positive News and Statistics from the Lodging Industry! By OJ Robinson Increasingly good news and positive statistics are being reported by the lodging industry based on year to date performance in 2010. We all know that the 2008-2009 period was devastating for our industry: US Occupancy:    down  14% ADR:   down …

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The Cold Winter Air is Coming…

The cold winter air is coming. Will you complain about it, or use it to reduce your electric costs?  For supermarkets and convenience stores, utility costs have become a major focus in reducing expenses. After labor costs, utilities are generally the greatest expense for convenience and grocery stores. Many store owners are turning to “green”…

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NHGA Conference

As I left the NH Grocer’s Association annual conference last week, I had two initial reactions: 1. This was a great opportunity! The independent operators seminar was extremely informative. The law firm of McLane Graf, Raulerson & Middleton covered the topics of group purchasing, the new health care law, and planning an exit from your…

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What’s on Your Website

I have viewed the websites of many New Hampshire and Vermont lodging properties and have found many cool, interesting sites and some boring, difficult or outdated sites. Where does your site stand? Now that summer is over, take some time to review your own site, compare it to others, and work to improve it. Here…

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2011 Federal Tax Increases: Does Selling Your Business in 2010 Make More Sense?

Are you one of the numerous business owners who want to sell their business but are thinking they should operate one more year? Maybe you are hoping to bring revenue and profits back to prior levels? Here is one thing to consider as you make a decision about selling: The government might tax away any…

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STR Predicts Good News in 2011

By OJ Robinson As part of its monthly forecast program, STR (Smith Travel Research) is projecting the US Hotel industry will report increases in all three key metrics in 2011. STR’s forecast projects 2011 occupancy to be up 2.4 percent to 56.2 percent, average daily rate to increase 3.0 percent to US$96.81, and revenue per…

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