Pearson New International Edition International pcl tp indd 1

OVERVIEW OF THE LODGING INDUSTRY
The FOM in Action: The Challenge
Lorine is a front office manager (FOM) who has
worked in lodging organizations ranging from a
125-room, limited-service property to an 800-room,
full-service hotel (her current workplace). During
her long career she has worked for independent
hotel owners, management companies, and fran-
chisor-operated properties. She was, therefore, a
perfect candidate to volunteer for the education
committee of her state’s lodging association. The
committee had taken on the challenge of scheduling
a representative to speak at the hospitality program
of each postsecondary school within the state.
In a one-hour presentation at a local school,
Lorine reviewed the wide range of professional
opportunities available in the lodging industry. At
the end of the session, she indicated that time
was available for questions. The first question
addressed to her had two parts: “It’s good that
there are so many opportunities in so many seg-
ments of the lodging industry. But how can we
decide if it is better to work for a large organization
or a small one? Also, you mentioned that the indus-
try has been kind to many of its entrepreneurs.
What are the pros and cons of starting your own
hospitality business?”
If you were Lorine, how would you respond to
these insightful questions?