In this course, modeled after the School of Hotel Administration's required core-curriculum course in business communication, we consider the role and importance of effective communication in managerial work, especially in the hospitality industry. Among the subjects we cover are managerial communication, business writing, techniques in persuasion, and an identification of cultural issues that may make communication difficult. During the course, students develop abilities in analytical thinking and clear expression, and focus on the process of planning, preparing, and executing professional communications. Participants also write a series of business documents and give several oral presentations. This noncredit seminar is designed to expand participants' leadership skills and their understanding of hospitality in the 21st century.
Hospitality is a multi-trillion dollar industry that encompasses far more than just serving people.
Seminar topics include a brief history of this industry as well as current trends. We also discuss strategic management issues, with a focus on the critical areas of marketing, finance, human resources, and information technology in successful hotels and hospitality-related organizations. The Academic Director Dr. Richard Steinacher , a native New Yorker, has taught writing for nearly thirty years. After completing B.A. and M.S. degrees at SUNY College at Cortland and teaching reading in public schools, Dr. Steinacher attended Florida State University, receiving a Ph.D. in English education. He has worked as a consultant and marketing representative for IBM and is presently a senior lecturer at Cornell, teaching business writing courses in the School of Hotel Administration.