Why I Chose to Cover Self-Service Technology and How It Applies to Me
The topic of self-service technologies applies directly to
me for two significant reasons. First, I am a product of the digital era and a
Millennial. My whole life until now has introduced to me ways to effectively
use similar technologies on a daily basis. It offers me a great perspective
when trying to understand why self-service technologies are more welcomed by my
generation and perhaps less welcomed by other generations.
Secondly, as an aspiring hospitality and tourism leader, I chose this topic to better influence future decision making at the workplace. Being able to identify the benefits and drawbacks of self-service technologies allows for effective planning to be executed. Working in a hotel without any self-service technologies, it allows me to weigh the strengths and weaknesses while discovering new opportunities and potential threats that the introduction of such technologies will have on the hotel environment.
The advantages of self-service technologies are speed, efficiency, labor costs (or the lack there of), lack of human error and the empowerment given to guests. Such advantages are crucial in management decisions and ergonomic usage by guests.
The majority of the weaknesses of self-service technologies are high startup costs, security issues and the inability to see initial guest satisfaction. These weaknesses are financial and fear based which tend to scare organizations afraid of changing their business plans.
The opportunities are truly unlimited. With the introduction of new technology almost every day, this allows current self-service systems to receive the most current advancements and upgrades. New security protection features for guests sensitive information is an example of how new opportunities can continue to give perceived value to guests.
The threats poised to self-service systems in hospitality are mainly fear based concepts. This includes consumer fear of ever-changing technologies, generational gaps and the ability of consumers to adapt. Other threats come from the technological side. All systems must be properly backed and emergency plans must be available upon a seconds notice.
See below a SWOT analysis of self-service technologies in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Secondly, as an aspiring hospitality and tourism leader, I chose this topic to better influence future decision making at the workplace. Being able to identify the benefits and drawbacks of self-service technologies allows for effective planning to be executed. Working in a hotel without any self-service technologies, it allows me to weigh the strengths and weaknesses while discovering new opportunities and potential threats that the introduction of such technologies will have on the hotel environment.
The advantages of self-service technologies are speed, efficiency, labor costs (or the lack there of), lack of human error and the empowerment given to guests. Such advantages are crucial in management decisions and ergonomic usage by guests.
The majority of the weaknesses of self-service technologies are high startup costs, security issues and the inability to see initial guest satisfaction. These weaknesses are financial and fear based which tend to scare organizations afraid of changing their business plans.
The opportunities are truly unlimited. With the introduction of new technology almost every day, this allows current self-service systems to receive the most current advancements and upgrades. New security protection features for guests sensitive information is an example of how new opportunities can continue to give perceived value to guests.
The threats poised to self-service systems in hospitality are mainly fear based concepts. This includes consumer fear of ever-changing technologies, generational gaps and the ability of consumers to adapt. Other threats come from the technological side. All systems must be properly backed and emergency plans must be available upon a seconds notice.
See below a SWOT analysis of self-service technologies in the hospitality and tourism industry.
SWOT for Self-Service Technologies in the Hospitality & Tourism Industry
Strengths
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Weaknesses
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Opportunites
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Threats
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The above SWOT chart is derived from a University of Nevada, Las Vegas report (Chen, Wan Chi, 2011,
pg. 19)