1. Since food and beverage experiences are very personal, how do food service managers design programs that will please customers and keep them coming back?
Ans. The primary purpose of food service managers is to ensure customer satisfaction. They ensure that the quality and standards of food and service are up to the mark and the programs are designed in such a way that the customers keep coming back. The programs should include proper training of the employees, effective and efficient supply change management, monitoring the methods of preparation, portion sizes and presentation of food, ensuring the safety measures, organizing food events and managing the budgets and payrolls of employees. The programs are designed keeping in mind the needs of the customers and the local traditions.
The programs not just deal with the food but also the services that are provided to the customers which include hygiene, cleanliness, ambience, timeliness and courtesy towards the customers. The program may also include provisions for customization of beverages and food products as per the needs of the customers.
2. Explain how management contracts benefit both real estate development companies and hotel operators. How can food and beverage operations be used as a marketing tool
Ans. Land is the most important aspect when it comes to running any business and the case is no different for the hotel operators. The hotel operators get the land or space for running their business through the real estate development companies, which means that they are dependent on each other. The real estate companies earn through these management contracts which helps further growth and development of the real estate companies. The hotel operators get the land or space where they can run their business and they do not have to worry about anybody removing their business from a particular place, as per the terms and conditions of the management contract. The real estate development companies may also take the responsibility of maintaining the locality.
The food and beverages operations can educate the customers about the quality and standards of food, hygiene, health benefits, nutritional value, ambience, various food events and the ethical practices of the restaurateurs and, therefore, can be used as marketing tools.
3. Explain the importance of this statement “It all begins with sales”.
Ans. The revenues and profits of any business dependent on the sales and without adequate sales, no business can continue its operations. One cannot have a business until he or she makes the first sale and if one cannot keep selling, one cannot sustain. The product or services offered by a business might be the best but the business needs to keep selling to stay in the market. The sales determine how much can the business pay to the employees and the take care of the stakeholders. Therefore, it would not be wrong if we say that Sales is the start and the end of any business, (Clay, 2010).
4. How has architecture played a historical role in lodging development?
Ans. The architecture deals with making the guests feel at home, be comfortable, secure and relaxed. Many reputed hotels around the world owe their brand image to the architecture. The guests get a message about the quality of services form the architecture and it is the first impression that makes the difference. A good architecture makes a good first impression and may sometimes be related to the local traditions which can ensure that the travelers get a feel of the culture and traditions of the place. The architecture deals with the spacing in the hotel, specialized rooms or suites and other physical amenities and has a direct relation with customer satisfaction. The architecture of some reputed hotels around the world has played a historical role in lodging development (Judy, 1999).
References
Sigauw, Judy (1999). Best Practices in Hotel Architecture. Retrieved from http://scholarship.sha.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1455&context=articles
Clark, Clay (2010). Sales – The Beginning and End of all Businesses. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?Sales---The-Beginning-and-End-of-All-Businesses&id=4359101
