In Episode 8 of The Halo Effect podcast, Ashleigh and Michael Donald explore the unique dynamics of Branded vs. Independent Hotels.

With over 40 years in hospitality, they’ve seen both sides, working for major brands like Starwood and cherished independent hotels like The Goring. From the consistency and reach of global brands to the authenticity and flexibility of independents, they unpack the benefits, challenges, and evolving trends shaping guest experiences today.

Whether you’re in hospitality or just curious about what makes each hotel experience unique, tune in to learn more about this fascinating industry divide.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs join us on future episodes so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested

🎃 It’s spooky season and Ashleigh and Michael Donald invite you for a chilling Halloween special where they delve into the world of hospitality horror stories. 👻

From haunted hotels and strange sightings to unexpected guests and night shifts that went wrong, this episode is packed with tales from our time in hospitality.

But it’s not all ghosts and ghouls—this episode also reveals some of the challenges and surprises that hospitality professionals face daily, and the camaraderie that grows from sharing these “war stories.” If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at some of your favourite hotels—or if you just love a good spooky story—then this episode could be the one for you.

Please let us know if you have any hospitality horror stories of your own! 👻

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.
We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs join us on future episodes so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested

In this episode of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael Donald explore the world of dynamic pricing within the hospitality industry. They take listeners through the evolution from fixed pricing to modern, technology-driven strategies influenced by supply and demand.

Ashleigh and Michael break down the difference between dynamic pricing and surge pricing, using examples like the Oasis ticket controversy, which stirred backlash due to a lack of transparency, compared to Taylor Swift’s consistent pricing strategy that upheld fan loyalty and trust. Since recording the episode, Oasis have announced that they won’t be using dynamic pricing for their US tour. The conversation underscores why transparency is crucial when implementing dynamic pricing and how it can benefit both businesses and consumers.

They discuss the pros and cons of dynamic pricing, such as optimising revenue for hotels and providing value for guests. Michael and Ashleigh also dive into the ethical considerations of this strategy, debating the balance between short-term gains and long-term reputation. Finally, they look towards the future of pricing in hospitality, including personalised pricing and the need for greater consumer protection.

If you’re interested in how the hospitality industry can master pricing strategies to improve both business success and consumer satisfaction, this episode is for you!

Key Topics:

• Evolution of Dynamic Pricing in Hospitality

• Differences Between Dynamic and Surge Pricing

• Case Studies: Oasis vs. Taylor Swift’s Pricing Approaches

• The Importance of Transparency and Trust

• Future Trends: Personalized and Ethical Pricing Strategies

Tune in to stay informed and ahead in the dynamic world of hospitality!

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested

Welcome to Episode Five of “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald”

Listen as husband-and-wife team Ashleigh and Michael Donald draw on their 40 years of combined experience in global hospitality to share insights and stories from a dynamic industry.

Whether you’re just starting out, seeking growth, or venturing into entrepreneurship, we hope that this podcast can help provide some guidance from real-life experiences. Each episode will offer practical tips and engaging discussions to help you navigate the world of hospitality.

Key Highlights from Episode Five:

🔹 How guest reviews can impact bookings and ADR 💼

🔹 The role of Google and Booking.com in boosting visibility & SEO 📈

🔹 Why authentic reviews and personalized responses are key 🔑

🔹 Tips for using sentiment analysis and gamification to increase reviews 🎮

🔹 How to handle fake reviews and turn feedback into opportunities for growth 💡

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

  
  

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs join us on future episodes so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested

Welcome to Episode Four of “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald”

Listen as husband-and-wife team Ashleigh and Michael Donald draw on their 40 years of combined experience in global hospitality to share insights and stories from a dynamic industry.

Whether you’re just starting out, seeking growth, or venturing into entrepreneurship, we hope that this podcast can help provide some guidance from real-life experiences. Each episode will offer practical tips and engaging discussions to help you navigate the world of hospitality.

In Episode Four, we scratch the surface of AI in Hospitality where Ashleigh and Michael discuss:

• Using AI tools like ChatGPT for content creation & overcoming writer’s block

• AI-driven chatbots and personalised recommendations for enhanced guest experiences

• Ethical considerations around guest data and responsible storage practices

• Streamlining operations with AI-powered automation to boost staff productivity

We look forward to discussing this subject further and have some exciting special guests lined up for future episodes, with whom we will explore the impact of AI in more detail.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs join us on future episodes so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

Welcome to Episode Three of “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald”

Listen as husband-and-wife team Ashleigh and Michael Donald draw on their 40 years of combined experience in global hospitality to share insights and stories from a dynamic industry.

Whether you’re just starting out, seeking growth, or venturing into entrepreneurship, we hope that this podcast can help provide some guidance from real-life experiences. Each episode will offer practical tips and engaging discussions to help you navigate the world of hospitality.

Key Highlights from Episode Three:

• Michael's non-traditional, yet not completely uncommon, path into hospitality

• His diverse experiences at luxury hotels

• Combining hospitality operational experience and marketing expertise to create Halo.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs join us on future episodes so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

Welcome to Episode Two of “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald”

Listen as husband-and-wife team Ashleigh and Michael Donald draw on their 40 years of combined experience in global hospitality to share insights and stories from a dynamic industry.

Whether you’re just starting out, seeking growth, or venturing into entrepreneurship, we hope that this podcast can help provide some guidance from real-life experiences. Each episode will offer practical tips and engaging discussions to help you navigate the world of hospitality.

Key Highlights from Episode Two:

• Ashleigh's varied hospitality career, from early jobs to international roles at luxury resorts.

• The value of building a supportive entrepreneurial community through programs like the NatWest’s Entrepreneur Accelerator.

• The Challenges and Opportunities in entrepreneurship, including work-life balance and family support.

  
  

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk⁠

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

  
  

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs join us on future episodes so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

Welcome to the very first episode of “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald”

Listen as husband-and-wife team Ashleigh and Michael Donald draw on their 40 years of combined experience in global hospitality to share insights and stories from a dynamic industry.

Whether you’re just starting out, seeking growth, or venturing into entrepreneurship, we hope that this podcast can help provide some guidance from real-life experiences. Each episode will offer practical tips and engaging discussions to help you navigate the world of hospitality.

Highlights from Episode 1:

• The importance of creating a strong first impression and how it impacts guest loyalty and overall success in hospitality.

• Balancing personal and professional life as a couple in the industry, and how to turn challenges into opportunities.

• Leveraging technology and data to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations, even in a resource-constrained environment.

We would like to send a huge thanks to Samantha and the whole team at ⁠⁠Flamingo Heights⁠⁠ podcast studios who have helped guide us on our podcast journey. We would also like to thank ⁠⁠BIPC North East ⁠⁠ and their CityLife programme that was able to make the collaboration with Flamingo Heights happen. We would also like to thank Sophie Gowling and Nickie Kilkenny, from the Newcastle Natwest Business team, for connecting us all via their Entrepreneur Accelerator programme.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs join us on future episodes so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.