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Navigating Team Dynamics Across Submarines, Airlines, Trains and Hotels for Exceptional Service
My career has taken me through some very different worlds, submarines, airlines, trains and hotels, but the lesson running through all of them has been the same: great service depends on great people, working together with trust, precision, tight communication and a common goal. Delivering exceptional service requires more than just individual skill. It demands a team that works seamlessly, understands each other’s roles, and pays close attention to every detail. This post ex
Martin Lawrence
4 min read


Understanding the Silent Dangers of Micromanagement in Leadership
Micromanagement is one of the most common leadership styles in workplaces, yet it often goes unnoticed as a serious problem. It quietly erodes trust, lowers morale, and reduces productivity. For HR directors, senior managers, and hotel general managers, recognising and addressing micromanagement is essential to building a healthy work environment and sustaining team performance. This post explores the hidden risks of micromanagement, how it affects teams, and practical steps
Martin Lawrence
4 min read


People, Not Pillows: How BHPeople Helps Shape Hotel Reputation
If there’s one thing we’ve learned in hospitality, it’s this: you can repaint the lobby a thousand times, but one grumpy check‑in trumps a thousand thread counts. Hotel marketing can dazzle with sleek branding, picture‑perfect rooms, and catchy taglines, but reputation? That’s built (or broken) one human interaction at a time. The Hotel Marketing Mirage Smart marketing is a masterpiece of storytelling. It sets the tone, attracts the dream guest, and paints a vision of unforg
Martin Lawrence
3 min read


Does the 80/20 Rule Apply to Hotels?
The 80/20 rule dates back to 1896, when Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto noticed something curious. Around 80% of Italy’s land was owned by just 20% of the population. He then spotted the same imbalance everywhere: · 80% of peas in his garden came from 20% of the pods · 80% of Italy was owned by 20% of the population, a pattern he noticed in multiple countries Pareto didn’t set out to help hoteliers run better businesses, but he accidentally gave hospitality one
Martin Lawrence
3 min read


A Hotel Manager, Reservation List and the Question No PMS Could Answer!
Hotel manager with daily arrivals report wondering who are these guests, what do they do..... For most of my career as a hotel General Manager, I had the same recurring thought, often late at night, usually staring at tomorrow’s arrivals list: Who are these guests… really? Not just their name. Not just their room type. Not just whether they prefer oat milk or feather pillows. But who they are in the real world, what they do, the influence they hold, the decisions they make, t
Martin Lawrence
3 min read


Customer Lifetime Value: The Quiet Force That Actually Builds Great Hotels
Hotels love a full house. We celebrate sell-out nights, RevPAR spikes, record weekends and those “best month ever” WhatsApp messages that briefly distract us from tomorrow’s forecast. We obsess over pace, pick-up, channel mix and the booking that arrived at 2:47am via an OTA we pretend not to rely on. But quietly, often invisibly, the real money checks in without fanfare. It ’s not the guest who stayed once. It’s the guest who stays again. And again. And again. Customer Life
Martin Lawrence
4 min read


January Comes Around Every Year. So Why Do We Still Treat Payroll Like a Last-Minute Emergency?
January is not a surprise. It doesn’t arrive early, move dates, or suddenly appear because of “market conditions.” It comes around at exactly the same time every year, immediately after December has done what December always does: exhausted teams, inflated revenue figures, and a dangerously optimistic sense that momentum will somehow continue into the new year. And yet, every January, the same ritual unfolds across the hotel industry. Occupancy dips. Pace slows. Forecasts a
Martin Lawrence
5 min read


Unlocking High-ROI Hotel Openings Through Strategic Pre-Launch Planning
Opening a new hotel often feels like crossing a finish line, but the truth is that the real race begins well before the doors open. The return on investment (ROI) for any hotel is largely determined during the pre-opening phase, not after the grand opening. Hotels that achieve high ROI do so because they invest time and effort in clear, disciplined, and thoughtful preparation months in advance. This post explores the key factors that separate high-performing hotel openings fr
Martin Lawrence
4 min read


Harnessing Generational Engagement to Boost Customer Loyalty
Engaging guests across different generations is no longer optional for hotels aiming to build lasting customer loyalty. Each generation brings unique preferences, values, and expectations that shape their travel and hospitality experiences. Understanding these differences and tailoring engagement strategies accordingly can lead to stronger connections, repeat visits, and long-term success in hotel management. Hotel lobby designed for multigenerational guest engagement Why Gen
Martin Lawrence
3 min read


Why Responding to Online Reviews Matters More Than Ever - And How to Do it Right
In today’s hospitality landscape, guest reviews are more than just feedback, they are a core part of your brand identity. Whether glowing or critical, reviews shape traveller expectations long before they visit your property. And because platforms like TripAdvisor continues to be the world's most influential review platform, how you respond publicly can make the difference between hidden visibility and top-ranking success. Consistently and thoughtfully responding to reviews l
Martin Lawrence
4 min read


This New App in Development Could Change Everything About the Hospitality Guest Experience
In the hospitality industry, knowing a guest’s name is just the starting point. Hotels often face the challenge of building meaningful relationships that go deeper than surface-level interactions. BHPeople , an app under development, offers a fresh approach by helping hotels discover more about their guests, highlighting influential visitors, senior decision-makers, and emerging talent. This platform also brings the latest news and relevant context to the forefront, enablin
Martin Lawrence
4 min read


Using AI for Identification
Imagine having a tool that quietly scans your upcoming reservations and highlights guests who could potentially become your hotel’s strongest advocates. While all guests have influence, some guests possess more sway than others in shaping perceptions and driving word-of-mouth recommendations. Wouldn't you want to identify these influential guests? BHPeople an innovative app in development uses artificial intelligence to analyse open-source information and identify VIPs or in
Martin Lawrence
4 min read


Unlocking Guest Insights: Why Understanding Their Potential Can Transform Your Hotel Business
As a hotel operator or general manager, knowing who your guests are goes beyond just checking them in and out. Imagine if you could tap into the full potential each guest brings, not only as a guest but as a source of influence and future sales. Understanding your guests deeply can open doors to new revenue streams, stronger brand loyalty, and a more personalised guest experience that sets your hotel apart. Why Guest Insights Matter More Than Ever Hotels today face fierce co
Martin Lawrence
4 min read
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