Dr Max's hospitality industry secret about GE

Thomas Edison once said "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." I admit to being an unabashed fan of Thomas Edison. There is probably no greater example of someone who was prepared to work, prepared to fail and prepared to dream than Edison. Although he had only six months of formal education his thirst for knowledge led him to read every book in the Detroit Free Library. In his lifetime he patented 1093 inventions. His usual work day was around eighteen hours. He existed on four hours sleep per night plus an occasional catnap. He once commented "Sleep is like a drug. Take too much at a time and it makes you dopey. You lose time vitality and also opportunities."

His list of achievements and inventions included the gramophone, which captured sound on record; the incandescent light bulb; the microphone; the mimeograph; medical fluoroscope; the nickel-alkaline and the motion picture. He made the invention of others - the telephone, telegraph and typewriter commercially viable. He conceived an entire electrical distribution system for the United States of America. I believe any opportunity to celebrate Edison's incredible achievements should be grasped with both hands. Hence, I happily tell in 1892 General Electric was established in New York as a result of a merger between Edison General Electric and Thomson Houston. Thus the year 2002 GE will celebrate its 110th anniversary.

GE is a one of the world's leading companies and is represented in 72 countries. Check out their web site at www.ge.com You'll find many opportunities (dressed in overalls) to create a celebration at your place in 2002.

Until next week, when we bring you a hospitality industry tip about how a cab company markets itself in bars in Washington DC area, I wish you - good luck, good life and good fun.

Max Hitchins

The Hospitality Doctor

P.S. News from the Doctors Diagnosis and Discussion Room Jesse Etter, from The Onion, Spokane, WA comments on a secret shopper programs they have instituted and seeks suggestions; Stu O'Neill, who doubled the sales of a 25 room motel in 8 months, seeks some help; Craig Macindoe has some good suggestions to the 'shift leader' problem raised by James Maher. If you'd like to offer advice check it out at http://fsplugins.com/talkback/hitchins