The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald

Епізоди

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  Why Hotel Blogs Still Matter in the Age of AI with Dominic Bryce 08.09.2026 41хв

  How hotels get found when guests stop searching and start promptingIf your hotel blog has been sitting untouched since 2019 then maybe this episode is your nudge.Ashleigh and Michael are joined by Dominic Bryce, Head of SEO at Click2Convert, a Glasgow-based digital agency where he leads SEO and GEO for hotel, resort, health and fitness and e-commerce clients.Dominic's point is a simple one. Large language models are built on text from across the web, so producing genuinely useful, specific, local content is still one of the most direct ways to influence whether your hotel shows up when a guest asks AI to plan their trip. Your rooms and offers pages remain critically important, but blogs are the gap for most independents.We also get into:Why AI brings the guest's own context into every prompt, and what that means for guest personasHow PR, reviews, OTA listings and even Reddit shape the way AI talks about your brandWhy Google Business Profile sits behind so much of AI search, and the quick wins most hotels missWhy third party voices carry more weight than your ownThe risk of publishing fully AI generated content at scaleDominic's advice for hotels with no marketing team: your best keyword research is a conversation with the people who talk to guests every dayA great reminder too that blogs are not only about being found. Guests who read a well-put-together local guide before booking tend to convert at a higher average booking value.Practical, refreshingly jargon-light, and full of things you could action this week.Connect with Us:Ashleigh Donald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighdonald/Michael Donald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgdonald/Dominic Bryce on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicbryce/Find out more:Halo Business Consulting: https://www.gohalo.co.uk/Click2Convert: https://www.click2convert.com/Example blog posts mentioned in the episode: [links to follow from Dominic]Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow "The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald" on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  The Connected Guest Journey with Patryk Luszcz 01.07.2026 50хв

  Why "five clicks" might be the most important metric in hospitality right now.In Episode 50 of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael are joined by Patryk Luszcz, UK Regional Director at Profitroom, who brings more than 15 years of experience across luxury hospitality in the UK and Germany.Patryk's hospitality story began in childhood, growing up in Greece where the industry was simply part of daily life, before he moved into operations and F&B leadership, then into hotel sales, eventually building the commercial perspective he now brings to Profitroom. Ashleigh and Patryk are both part of the Next Wave Hospitality community, and Ashleigh recently moderated a panel featuring Patryk on the Connected Guest Journey, the conversation this episode picks up and explores in depth.The discussion goes well beyond commission savings, into why an effective direct booking strategy is really an experience and loyalty strategy, why hotels are still losing guests to their own OTA listings, and how friction at the point of payment quietly costs hotels bookings every single day.In this episode:Why "why book direct" goes far beyond commission savings, and what hotels lose when they get it wrongThe rate parity problem: real examples of hotels undercutting their own websites by 20–40%Why discoverability isn't actually outside a hotel's control, and how reviews, schema markup and PR all feed AI search visibilityHow Profitroom helped partners cut a 20-25 click booking journey down to five, and the double-digit revenue growth that followedConnect with Us:Ashleigh Donald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighdonald/Michael Donald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgdonald/Patryk Luszcz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrykluszcz/Find out more:Halo Business Consulting: https://www.gohalo.co.uk/Profitroom: https://www.profitroom.com/Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow "The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald" on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Is Your Website Working While You Sleep? w/ Silvia Del Corso 24.06.2026 46хв

  In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael are joined by Silvia Del Corso, founder of PinkSEO, an award-winning SEO agency built on a simple premise: no jargon, no fixed contracts, and results that really move the needle.In this conversation, Silvia shares how her background in travel and tourism shaped the way she runs her agency today. She explains why trust is now the central currency of digital search, how AI has flooded the internet with beige content and what that means for businesses that want to stand out, and why your website should work like a salesperson and winning you new business while you sleep.We also dig into what really separates a website that looks impressive from one that actually converts, why PinkSEO works in high-trust sectors like medical, legal and financial, and how operating without fixed term contracts keeps the whole team on their toes.Whether you're in hospitality or any other sector, this episode is packed with practical, no-nonsense thinking on visibility, trust, and digital growth.Connect with Us:Ashleigh Donald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighdonald/Michael Donald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgdonald/Silvia Del Corso on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/silviadelcorsoFind out more:Halo Business Consulting: https://www.gohalo.co.uk/PinkSEO: https://pinkseo.marketing/Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Connection, Community and the Future of Hospitality with Katie Tobin & Karen Willey 17.06.2026 48хв

  Why the best business development doesn't feel like sellingIf the idea of "business development" makes you uncomfortable, maybe this episode is for you.Ashleigh and Michael are joined by Katie Tobin and Karen Willey, co-founders of Always Thinking and Festival of Hospitality, two people who've spent their careers proving that the best business development doesn't feel like business development at all.It feels like keeping in touch. Making introductions. Being genuinely helpful. Connecting people who should know each other. Showing up consistently over time.With more than 50 years of combined experience across hospitality and the built environment, Katie and Karen have built careers on relationships. They've also seen first-hand what happens when the right people aren't involved in the right conversations early enough.That insight sits at the heart of Festival of Hospitality, the hospitality community and event series they created.Hotels can take years to move from concept to opening. Yet decisions made in investment meetings can shape the guest experience long after the doors open. Owners, investors, operators, brands, architects, designers, project managers and hospitality leaders all bring different perspectives, but too often they're working in parallel rather than together.Festival of Hospitality was created to change that.By bringing decision-makers from across the entire hotel lifecycle into the same room, the conversation becomes richer, collaboration improves and, ultimately, better hotels are created. Because the best hospitality experiences don't happen by accident. They're built through shared understanding, diverse perspectives and strong relationships.Katie and Karen also share lots of practical advice. Visit the hotel you've been curious about. Experience the service. Observe the design. Build your reference points. Pick up the phone instead of sending the fourth follow-up email. In a world where so much interaction has moved online, the willingness to connect in person remains one of the most underused advantages in business.And then there's Pay It Forward, their schools outreach programme introducing young people to the breadth of opportunities within hospitality. From design and technology to finance, operations and leadership, they're helping the next generation discover an industry that can take them anywhere in the world.This episode is a powerful reminder that hospitality has always been, and always will be, a people business.The connections we nurture, the communities we create and the willingness to bring others into the conversation will shape the future of our industry.Whether you work in hospitality or another sector, this conversation is a masterclass in building relationships, backing yourself and playing the long game.Connect with Us:Ashleigh Donald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighdonald/Michael Donald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgdonald/Katie Tobin on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/katie-tobin-b5133324Karen Willey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-willey-0a21a418Find out more:Halo Business Consulting: https://www.gohalo.co.uk/Festival of Hospitality: www.festivalofhospitality.live/aboutAlways Thinking: www.alwaysthinking.org/Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Managing Inspiring Brands in the AI Era with Sam Weston 03.06.2026 53хв

  In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael are joined by Sam Weston, Head of AI and Marketing at 80 Days and editor of Hotel Speak, a specialist with over two decades of experience across hospitality, digital marketing, brand strategy, and AI.Sam explores why brand has never mattered more for hotels and why "brand legibility" is fast becoming as important as brand strength. The conversation covers generative engine optimisation (GEO) and how hotels can make themselves discoverable in AI-powered search, the rise of agentic AI and what it could mean for the future of hotel bookings and direct revenue, and how hotel websites need to evolve to serve both human visitors and AI agents.Sam also shares three practical first steps any hotelier can take today to prepare for an AI-led discovery landscape.🔗 BONUS LINK - Read Sam's latest article on brand legibility and what AI needs from your hotel brand: Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  The Hospitality Revenue Engine with Stephen Levins 20.05.2026 41хв

  What if your front desk is the most underused commercial team in your hotel?In Episode 46 of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael are joined by Stephen Levins, Vice President International at Frontline Performance Group, who leads an international team supporting more than 1,500 hotels across over 100 countries.Stephen's hospitality story starts in Ireland, runs through a graduate programme in car rental, and lands in Dubai eleven years ago, where he's helped continue to grow FPG into a global SaaS and services business working with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Jumeirah, Emaar, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and more.In this episode:Why an upsell should be something you do for a guest, not to themPre-judgement as the single biggest blocker in any guest-facing sales environmentHow a well-run upsell programme delivered an 11% RevPAR lift and a 5.5% ADR increase at 50% occupancyWhy incentives are a retention strategy in a market where turnover is hospitality's biggest problemWhere AI and technology genuinely help, and where they quietly damage the guest experienceListen until the end to hear about the moment Stephen says was worth much more than any financial achievementConnect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠, www.frontlinepg.comInstagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ and Frontline Performance GroupDon’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Reviews & Reputation with Paul Griffiths 13.05.2026 44хв

  In Episode 45 of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael are joined by Paul Griffiths, Head of Commercial Growth and Strategic Partnerships at GuestRevu and Co-Founder of Next Wave Hospitality.Paul's hospitality story begins the way so many do, with the odd silver service shift at sixteen, and pulling pints behind the bar through university, The medical biochemistry degree might be a little less usual. After a brief stint trying to leave the industry behind, Paul found his way back, and has spent the last decade working at the intersection of hospitality and technology, helping hoteliers around the world better understand their guests and use data more meaningfully.In this conversation, Paul shares what eight years at Guestline taught him about the realities of hotel operations, why guest feedback and online reputation now sit at the heart of commercial performance, and how AI is changing the way guests discover, book and experience hotels. He talks through the friction points hoteliers can't afford to ignore and explains why a single point increase on a five-point review scale can support an 11.2% price increase while maintaining occupancy.We also hear the origin story behind Next Wave Hospitality, with the upcoming London event on 19th May already nearing capacity.In this episode:What guests really expect from hotel technology in 2026Why unanswered reviews quietly cost hotels bookingsThe shift in how guests discover hotels, from OTAs to AI itinerary plannersThe commercial case for reputation managementTurning negative review themes into standout marketing campaignsPaul's advice for anyone early in their hospitality careerConnect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠, www.guestrevu.com, www.nextwavehospitality.co.ukInstagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ ; Paul Griffiths; Next Wave HospitalityDon’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  The Next Wave of Hospitality with Alessandra Leoni 29.04.2026 47хв

  What does it really take to future-proof a hotel business? In this episode, we sit with Alessandra Leoni, Head of Hospitality at Focus on Hospitality and co-founder of Next Wave Hospitality, to explore the intersection of technology, people, and performance in modern hospitality.With over 30 years of experience spanning housekeeping to senior commercial and technology leadership roles at brands including Resident Hotels (now Sirius Hotel Group) and Hilton, Alessandra brings a rare perspective: the hotelier's lens applied to the technology conversation.We explore her career journey from operations into revenue, then into full commercial leadership and technology, and what each transition taught her about running a hotel as a single, connected ecosystem rather than a collection of siloed departments.We also dig into the big challenges facing the industry right now (from data accuracy and fragmented tech stacks to the pressure of doing more with less) and what the real opportunity looks like when systems finally start talking to one another.And we hear the story behind Next Wave Hospitality: a growing community built by hoteliers, for hoteliers, creating space for the honest, practical conversations that don't always happen at traditional conferences.In this episode:• How moving from operations into revenue changed the way Alessandra saw the whole business• Why breaking down silos across revenue, sales, marketing and operations is the key to genuine performance• The vision for a truly connected hospitality intelligence ecosystem — and what's standing in the way• Why data accuracy is foundational, and how OTA dependency creates gaps from the very first booking• Balancing the digital guest journey with the irreplaceable human touch• The story behind Next Wave Hospitality and what makes it different from every other industry eventConnect with Us:● Email: ⁠⁠[email protected];● Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠● Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠● LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ ; Alessandra Leoni, MIH; Next Wave HospitalityDon’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  IHIF Berlin 2026 Insights with Guy Lean 01.04.2026 28хв

  Fresh from the floors of IHIF Berlin 2026, Michael Donald sits down with Guy Lean, Managing Director of hospitality recruitment specialists Madison Mayfair, to unpack what 2,500 hospitality leaders and 700+ investors were really talking about, beyond the headlines.From cautious optimism in the face of the week's most popular term "geopolitical uncertainty", to the growing recognition of hotels as a standalone institutional asset class, this episode explores what it all means through a people and leadership lens.Guy and Michael discuss why talent investment is accelerating rather than stalling in uncertain times, how emerging markets like Morocco are reshaping people strategy, and why succession planning and bench strength have never been more critical. They also dig into the role of AI — not as a job-killer, but as a performance enabler — and what senior leaders are really asking when the cameras aren't rolling.Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]; [email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ ; Madison MayfairDon’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Returns Beyond RevPAR with Graham Norris and Matt Hughes 25.03.2026 32хв

  Is your hotel performing well on paper but falling short on returns? It's time to look beyond RevPAR.In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael are joined by ⁠Graham Norris⁠, Co-Founder of InnPractice, and ⁠Matt Hughes⁠, Founder of Accommodate Consulting, to unpack one of hospitality's most persistent blind spots: the gap between strong trading metrics and actual owner returns.Recorded against the backdrop of IHIF Berlin and timed with the launch of Accommodate Consulting's first Hospitality InnSights White Paper — Returns Beyond RevPAR — this conversation digs into why RevPAR alone is no longer enough, and what owners, investors and operators should really be paying attention to instead.Together, we explore the disconnect between top-line performance and cash flow, the real cost of siloed decision-making, and how rising debt costs are reshaping what success looks like for hotel owners. Graham shares candid examples from his career — from turning around a loss-making five-star hotel to timing CapEx investments during Covid — while Matt breaks down his total value framework: cash today, value tomorrow, and resilience when things go wrong.Whether you're an owner, operator or investor, this episode is a timely reminder that the full picture matters — and that every decision made at the top filters all the way down to the guest experience.🔗 Download the Insights White Paper — Returns Beyond RevPAR — ⁠https://innpractice.com/returns-beyond-revpar-total-value-metrics-that-matter/⁠Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠; ⁠[email protected]⁠; ⁠[email protected]⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠⁠Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform.📖 Hospitality Acronym GlossaryNew to the industry or just need a refresher? Here's a quick guide to some key terms used in this episode.RevPAR — Revenue Per Available Room The most commonly used hotel performance metric, calculated by dividing total room revenue by the number of available rooms. While widely reported, it reflects top-line trading only and says nothing about profitability or owner returns.TRevPAR — Total Revenue Per Available Room A broader measure than RevPAR, capturing all revenue streams across the hotel — rooms, food and beverage, spa, parking, and more. Particularly relevant for full-service and lifestyle hotels where non-rooms revenue is significant.GOP PAR — Gross Operating Profit Per Available Room GOP expressed on a per-room basis, allowing for meaningful comparison across hotels of different sizes. As mentioned in this episode, Graham considers this the key operating metric owners should be focused on.NOI — Net Operating Income The income remaining after all operating expenses and fixed charges — such as insurance, property taxes and reserve for replacement — have been deducted. A critical metric for owners and investors assessing the true financial health of an asset.ADR — Average Daily Rate The average revenue earned per occupied room per day. Often used alongside RevPAR, but can be misleading in isolation — a high ADR with low occupancy may still result in weak overall performance.CapEx — Capital Expenditure Investment in physical assets such as refurbishments, FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) and building improvements. As discussed in this episode, the timing of CapEx is a critical strategic lever for owners — particularly during downturns.IHIF — International Hotel Investment Forum One of the hospitality industry's most significant annual investment conferences, held in Berlin. A key gathering point for hotel owners, investors, operators and advisors from across the globe.
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  International Women’s Day in Hospitality 11.03.2026 26хв

  In this episode of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael Donald reflect on International Women’s Day 2026 and what it means for the hospitality industry today.The conversation explores the origins of International Women’s Day, the two themes shaping this year’s discussion, and how the day has been recognised across the UK through panels, events and wider industry debate. Ashleigh and Michael also consider how hospitality businesses can engage with the day in a way that feels thoughtful and aligned with their workplace culture.Ashleigh also shares personal reflections on the role mentorship has played in her own career and why supporting the next generation of talent matters so much, whether through industry, education or more informal guidance along the way.Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Episode 40: Insights from NoVacancy London 2026 04.03.2026 44хв

  In this milestone 40th episode of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael Donald reflect on NoVacancy’s inaugural London show at ExCeL and unpack what it revealed about the future direction of hospitality.Fresh from two energising days on site, Ashleigh shares first-hand observations from across the keynote stages, panels and conversations that defined the event. From long-term thinking to 2030 and the realities of tech integration, to AI-led discovery, brand differentiation, investor priorities and the enduring importance of people, this episode brings together the themes that surfaced again and again.They explore why RevPAR alone no longer tells the full story, how operators are rethinking profitability and performance metrics, and what hotels need to do now to remain discoverable in an AI-driven search landscape. There is also a strong focus on community, sense of place and storytelling, from bringing locals into hotels to avoiding the “sea of sameness” in brand positioning.Ashleigh also reflects on moderating the “Pivot or preserve?” panel, highlights standout sessions from leaders across design, operations, marketing and investment, and shares why NoVacancy felt both optimistic and practical at a time of continued pressure on the sector.If you could not attend or want a considered review beyond the headlines, this episode captures the conversations that mattered most and the questions hospitality leaders are now grappling with.Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Episode 39: Preview of No Vacancy London 25.02.2026 31хв

  Ashleigh and Michael are sharing a quick preview of No Vacancy London, as it opens this morning (25th February 2026) at ExCeL. With 3,000+ attendees and 100+ speakers and exhibitors across two days, they spotlight the themes and some of the sessions likely to shape the year ahead, including AI and hotel discovery, marketing differentiation, tech in practice, data-led market insights, and the independent hotel squeeze.Ashleigh also shares some insights into the panel she is moderating today at 2pm -  Pivot or preserve? The renovation and repositioning dilemma in hospitalityIf you are at Excel, please don’t hesitate to say hello, and if you are thinking of getting some last-minute tickets, you may be able to secure some last minute tickets here. https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-regConnect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Episode 38: The Night Manager Effect 18.02.2026 33хв

  This episode is inspired by Season 2 of The Night Manager (starring Tom Hiddleston), but this one has fewer silk shirts and less international espionage and a bit more fire alarms at 3 am, overbooked nights, and being the person everyone relies on when the hotel and its guests are at their most vulnerable.Ashleigh and Michael look back on their own time working nights across very different properties, from Dublin city centre to remote resort hotels and five-star London properties. They unpack why the night manager role is often misunderstood and why it is one of the most important positions in any hotel: equal parts leader, problem solver, host, safety officer, and communicator.They talk candidly about what hotels can often get wrong, from under-resourcing and limited training to treating nights as a gap to fill rather than a development opportunity. They also share what the role teaches you fast: operational fluency across every department, decision making under pressure, trust and discretion, and the discipline that protect the day team and the guest experience.Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-regDon’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Episode 37: People & Performance with Dan Barnes, from Flourish Hospitality 11.02.2026 39хв

  What does it take to build confident teams, strengthen service culture, and lead with practical clarity in today’s hospitality landscape?In this episode of The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories, Ashleigh and Michael Donald are joined by Dan Barnes, Founder and Managing Director of Flourish Hospitality, for a thoughtful discussion on people, performance, and the leadership behaviours that truly shape guest experience.With more than 25 years of experience across luxury hotels, private members’ clubs, restaurants, and major London pre-openings, Dan shares insights from a career dedicated to learning and development. The conversation explores how onboarding, coaching, and consistent standards drive retention, why early investment in soft skills builds stronger future leaders, and how hospitality can continue to differentiate itself through human connection in an increasingly digital world.From generational engagement and practical training design to the evolving role of technology in learning delivery, this episode offers grounded, operationally relevant perspectives for hospitality leaders, operators, and anyone passionate about building high-performing teams.Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠   flourishhospitality.co.ukInstagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠, ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ and @flourish_hospitalityLinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠, Dan BarnesBook your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-regDon’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Episode 36: For the Love of Hospitality 04.02.2026 27хв

  In this episode of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael Donald explore what Valentine's Day really means in hospitality and why operators may want to move beyond the old predictable formulas.With February now positioned as a full “month of romance”, they unpack how hotels and restaurants can stand out in an increasingly crowded calendar by focusing on experience-led, connection-driven programming rather than generic offers. From rethinking in-room amenities and questioning the real value of the classic bottle of champagne, to the rise of low and no-alcohol preferences, provenance-led British sparkling wine, and more considered welcome moments, this episode looks at romance through a practical and commercial lens.This is an episode about moving beyond the set menu and the single date, and instead designing hospitality experiences that feel personal and genuinely human.Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-regDon’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Episode 35: Fractional Marketing 28.01.2026 35хв

  Hotel marketing in 2026 is not just campaigns and content. It’s about leadership across brand, revenue operations, and guest experience. In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael unpack what fractional marketing support really means, and why it is becoming a serious advantage for hotels navigating tighter margins, shifting guest behaviour, AI-driven discovery, cookieless marketing, and constant operational pressure.They break down where fractional support delivers the most impact: openings and relaunches, repositioning projects, CRM and guest communications audits (including Revinate), F&B concept launches, awards strategies, and building a consistent service culture that matches the brand promise.Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-regDon’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Episode 34: Wellness Resets in 2026 21.01.2026 32хв

  January is the month of resets, but guests do not leave their wellness intentions at home when they travel. In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael explore what “supportive wellness” could look like in hospitality, without becoming preachy, restrictive, or trend-led.From the rise of the no and low alcohol movement and supplement culture, to why “environment beats willpower”, they discuss how hotels can reduce friction and make healthier choices feel effortless. They also cover practical, operational realities: VIP amenities that miss the mark, sleep disruption, gym usability, room temperature, and the importance of getting the basics right year-round.Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-regDon’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Episode 33: New Year Planning and the Pomodoro Technique 14.01.2026 38хв

  In this episode, we take a proper pause after our first week back of the New Year to reflect on what we’re building and how to set your plans up for success, whether you’re running a hotel, leading a team, or growing a business.We talk through why January is the perfect moment to review last year’s results, sense-check your strategy, and update/set your goals for the year. We also share some productivity tips to help make smarter decisions fast, before the year gets away from you.In this episode, we cover:New year planning that sticksABCs of Hotel MarketingThe Pomodoro Technique and how it helps productivityFestive debriefs and Employee review meetingsEmployer branding and succession planningThe Pomodoro Technique and how it helps productivityAI as an assistantAwards and visibilityBook your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-regBest SME Awards (entries close 22 January 2026, 6pm)https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.
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  Episode 32: ABCs of Storytelling 07.01.2026 31хв

  In a world of AI assistants, bots and generative search, a clear and consistent story is no longer a nice-to-have. It is essential.In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael unpack Halo’s ABCs of Storytelling - a practical framework to help hotels and hospitality brands own their narrative from first search to post-stay review. They explore how to join the dots between what is promised in marketing and what guests actually experience on property.Whether you are opening, rebranding or looking to sharpen an existing hotel story, this conversation will help give you a simple structure with plenty of real-world examples.Connect with Us:Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.