What’s missing in too many hotels: People with passion

People with a lot of passion about what they do are sometimes a little odd. You may laugh at them:

But when someone is completely obsessed with what they do, they’re probably pretty good at it.

The big challenge

A common challenge I face with hotels beginning a social media program is finding that excited person to champion the whole social initiative.

And it’s really, really hard to install that passion if it’s not there.

You can give tactics, but at the end of the day, you need someone who “gets it.”

Lack of passion creates boredom….for all of us

Even if a disinterested group of people begins social networking, it’s likely to be boring.

They’ll just talk about themselves.

They won’t take time to engage their audience.

They’ll be afraid to show their personality.

Building a fanbase will be a chore. If it ever happens.

Pay attention to your organizational culture

if you’re working with a team of people who are only in their role for “a job” it’s going to be awfully difficult to sell them on innovation.

If you’re an employee in a place like that, you should probably leave. (There are plenty of hotels out there with a great culture)

If you’re the owner or manager, you need to think what changes you can make to fire up your people. It’s why Zappos offers new employees $2,000 to quit before they start.

When I open my hotel….

I’m only going to hire people who are SO EXCITED about what they do, it’s contagious.