Pearson New International Edition International pcl tp indd 1

SECTION REVIEW AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Section Objective:
Discuss common ways that FOMs and their staff interact with
managers and others in departments that have contact with guests.
Section Summary:
The night auditor—a staff member in the front office—typically
prepares a daily flash report for the general manager that provides important oper-
ating information about the previous day. The FOM prepares many reports for the
general manager’s use and meets with the manager about issues relating to tran-
sient room rates for future dates, the front office’s expense budget and business
plan, service improvement recommendations, and day-to-day operating concerns.
The FOM works with the director of sales and marketing to make guestroom
pricing decisions for meeting attendees. These managers may also interact to
assign rooms for meeting attendees, to coordinate group check-in and check-out
times, and to discuss recommendations to be made to the general manager about
room rates for transient guests.
The FOM and his or her staff also interact with food and beverage personnel.
Front office staff provide information that helps the food and beverage director
plan work requirements and develop training for the responsible service of alco-
holic beverages. Additional opportunities for interaction arise if food and beverage
products and services are available in lobby areas, and if questions arise about
food and beverage charges made to guestrooms.