The Four Functions of Management at Candlewood Suites

Introduction

In order to correctly elaborate on the four functions of management at Candlewood Suites, it is important to understand some significant background. Candlewood Suites is and extended stay hotel that falls under the hotel chain “IHG” (Intercontinental Hotel Group). The particular hotel examined below is a franchise owned by a family that runs numerous of different businesses. Extended stay hotels, such as the one mentioned operate on what is called a low budget. It is basically running itself, with only a limited number of staff on sight on the daily bases. Expenses to run the hotel should be low, due to a low turnover rate of guest, which should therefore keep payroll cost at a minimum as well. Due to the fact that it is a franchise, the management hierarchy is not only different, but also slightly confusing and out of order sometimes. Even though there is a general manager on site, which is supposed to function as the decision maker, the owners, which in this case are four different people tend to have the last say so in all major decisions. The management pyramid consists of the owners, followed by the general manager, and the director of sales, which is equal to the operations manager. It is also important to understand that even though the hotel is franchise owned, the “IHG” structure, as well as procedures have to be followed at all times in order to avoid fine’s or the loss of the operational license.

Planning

The most important planning tool at Candlewood Suites is the “SWOT Analysis”, along with a constant updatable “Market Analysis”, which was a team effort between the general manager and the director of sales. In the hotel business it is at all times essential to know the strength of the product you are...

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...f sales has his/her own department, which works closely together with the operations manager and the front desk. The director of sales should posses the power to control and hold the front desk accountable, especially when it comes to rooms sold.

Conclusion

To conclude this case study of Candlewood Suites, it is important to look at all the four management functions above. It is evident that all four functions go hand in hand in order to be most effective. In this case, even though the planning stage was somewhat successful, the execution stages and everything connected to it failed. The foremost reason for this to happen was wrong organization at time. With a stronger leadership on property, and a more effective control and accountability system the work environment, as well as occupancy and revenue could have been maximized at all times.