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 Company Update
Welcome to the BookOTel summer newsletter for July 2011. We are now into our 21st year, and the company continues to grow in size and improve our services with each passing month.
We are delighted to be in the running to win the Agent of the Year award in the HBAA annual awards. To vote for us just click this link and choose us as your booking agent of the year!
The Teams
Since our last newsletter we have had three new members join the BookOTel team, so please join me in welcoming Justin as our new Business Development Manager, Mitchell to our reservations team and Nicholas to our accounts team.
Two members of staff have changed departments, with Faye leaving reservations to join venue finding, and Bev moving from reservations to our accounts team.
We are delighted to announce that Victoria from our accounts department got married on 4th June. We wish her all the best and hope she is enjoying married life!
Following a 12 month sabbatical in America, we are delighted to welcome Kim back to the company as Revenue Director. She is also due to get married on 15th July and we hope she has a wonderful day.
Sadly, Stuart has left our accounts team to move on to pastures new. We wish him all the best in the future and would like to thank him for all his hard work.
BookOTel at the Worcester Racecourse
On 5th June, the BookOTel staff had a Family Fun Day at the Worcester Races. Armed with packed lunches and feeling lucky we braved the bad weather under the BookOTel gazebo. Everyone had a great time and a few of the staff even came out in profit!
On a separate occasion, our travel department went on a celebratory trip to the Worcester Racecourse and can be seen below enjoying a well earned evening out.
PHOTO: [The travel team at the Worcester Races. (Left to Right): Natasha, Robert, Richard, Julie, Tom, Kerry, Donna, Gary, Laura.]
Employee Of The Quarter
In each newsletter, one member of staff will be profiled to give you the chance to learn a little bit about the voices on the end of the BookOTel phones. This edition sees me interviewing Employee of the Quarter - Stuart Withers.
1. What is your role within BookOTel? Accounts Assistant.
2. How long have you been in this role? 18 months.
3. Brief career history: I started off in the hotel industry in conference banqueting and moved to BookOTel when the opportunity arose, progressing through the company over the last few years.
4. What did you aspire to be as a child? A millionaire.
5. What would your dream job be? Run my own accountancy firm.
6. Describe yourself in three words: Fun, Confident, Cheerful.
7. What are your hobbies? Going to the cinema and spending time with my girlfriend.
8. Favourite holiday destination? Tanzania
9. Favourite hotel ever visited? Renaissance Chancery Court
10. What do you think it takes to become Employee of the Quarter? Be cheerful, helpful and maintain a good relationship with all of your colleagues.
11. What are the highlights of working at BookOTel? The family atmosphere is great and I enjoy having the opportunity to get out and see the hotels we book first hand.
12. If you could have one super power what would it be? Super speed.
13. What is your motto? My theory in life is, if it feels right do it, unless it jeopardises something that feels better.
PHOTO: [Stuart receiving his Employee of the Quarter award from our CEO Simon Scott]
CSR
Fundraising for our 2011 charity West Midlands Autism has gone brilliantly so far, raising a total of £846.06 to date. £153 has been raised through special office breakfasts and lunches while £19 has been collected through office sweepstakes.
The biggest fundraiser of the year so far is the BookOTel Quiz which raised £674.06! The quiz was held at the Worcester Guild Hall and we all had a great time:
PHOTO: [The BookOTel charity quiz night for Autism West Midlands]
Picnic in the Park
West Midlands Autism are having a picnic in the park on the 29th July at St. Philip's Cathedral, at St. Philip's Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham. The picnic is in partnership with BRMB radio station and will be a fundraising family fun day, filled with games, music, creative activities and much more!
If you want to attend or want more information about the event please follow this link to go to the West Midlands Autism website directly.
ISO / Quality Performance
Inspection Success
We are delighted to announce that we have passed our annual audit for both ISO 9001 and 14001 without any further recommendations. It was a rigorous audit that stripped bare all of our processes and procedures. ISO ensures that we are competitive within the market place and enables us to maintain our enviable reputation for outstanding customer service.
Our ISO 14001 assessment, which monitors environmental performance, was classed as "exemplary" and we are performing way above the necessary standard requirements. This once again highlights the fact that BookOTel is still leading the way in environmental and CSR issues. For further information or if you have any service improvement suggestions please do not hesitate to contact
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or
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Technology
New Reservations Booking System
We are always looking for ways to improve our services and in the coming months we will be implementing a new reservations booking system.
Hotelzon makes booking hotels quicker and easier and as a result we can pass the benefits straight back to our clients.
One of the benefits of Hotelzon is that you can book hotels through BookOTel on your phone by downloading an app or installing a simple program. We will give you more information on this as soon as the system is up and running later this year.
Sign ups & Alerts
It's never been easier to sign up to our distribution lists.
Our Travel Alert System keeps you up to date with the latest air and rail news wherever you are in the world and to subscribe just enter your details here.
It's also now even simpler to sign up to receive our newsletter every quarter, just follow this link to be the first to find out what's going on at BookOTel!
Industry News
Olympics
With the London 2012 Olympics getting nearer by the day, we have plans in place to make your business travel for the summer of 2012 as easy as possible.
The Olympics will affect hotel availability and prices all over the country, so
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to arrange your free consultation now to stay ahead of the game and avoid the rush.
Conference News & HBAA Agency Forum
On March 24th, our MD Nick Scott attended the Conference News/HBAA agency forum which took place at Gordon Ramsay's Maze restaurant in London's Grosvenor Hotel.
Some of the leading figures in the conference industry gathered to discuss the latest talking points, with the repercussions of the UK Bribery Act and the impact of the new governmental culture high on the agenda.
PHOTO: [Our MD Nick Scott (centre in the grey tie) at the HBAA Conference]
Arrange your Christmas Party
It might seem like it's a long way away but it's never too early to plan your Christmas party!
Beat the rush and send your enquiry over to our events team to see what BookOTel can do to help plan your festivities:
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Bears Tales
In this issue of the BookOTel newsletter, the bear has been spotted aboard the luxury cruise liner the Queen Mary 2!
We are always in need of new bear photos so please send pictures of his adventures to
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Menzies Hotels
Exciting times at Menzies Hotels
It has been an exciting start to the year at Menzies Hotels and the rest of 2011 is looking just as exciting!
Menzies Hotels are one of the UK's leading independent hotel groups with 16 quality three and four star hotels throughout the UK, from Aberdeen in Scotland to Bournemouth on the south coast. Our hotels include prime city centre hotels, luxury country hotels and premier coastal resorts.
Introducing Birmingham's newest four star hotel
Menzies hotels are delighted to announce that the Menzies Strathallan Hotel Birmingham has received four star recognition from the AA.
Conveniently situated on the Hagley Road the Menzies Strathallan's facilities include; 135 bedrooms, 7 meeting rooms with the largest room seating 170 people, Brasserie Restaurant and lounge bar. The hotel also offers complimentary WiFi and on site car parking for 200 cars.
Commenting on the 4 Star Accolade, General Manager Kevin Williams said, "We are delighted to have re-positioned the Menzies Strathallan hotel as a 4 Star Hotel. The team at the hotel have worked hard to ensure that every touch point on the guests journey receives the highest level of customer service whilst maintaining the superior quality of our product. It is encouraging that the AA Inspector recognised the hard work and exemplary levels of customer service that the team strive for with every guest and they are all proud to be part of this exciting transition for the hotel."
Win a 2 night stay bed & breakfast with Menzies Hotels!
Menzies Hotels are proud to be working in conjunction with BookOTel to deliver superb service to all of our valued clients across the 16 Menzies Hotels in the UK.
To be in with a chance of winning a complimentary stay for two people inclusive of Bed and Full English/Scottish breakfast at any Menzies Hotel across the UK simply answer the following question -
Menzies Hotels own a unique portfolio of distinctive hotels in key locations throughout the UK. But can you name our Scottish property which boasts 129 bedrooms and 12 stunning apartments at a prime city centre location in one of the busiest cities in Scotland?
For the answer visit http://www.menzieshotels.co.uk and send your answer to
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Bye For Now
We look forward to hearing from you, whether it's a new enquiry, your thoughts and comments or just general feedback.
Please feel free to check out our new BookOTel Twitter Website to gain a better insight into the day-to-day happenings of BookOTel and the hotel industry.
We aim to be a 'one-stop' booking service, so why not give us a call and we'll take care of it all for you!
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