From Hotelier Indonesia
April 2013
We’re pleased to have the opportunity to chat with
Bill Healey, an international journalist and consultant focused on the
hospitality and leisure industry.
[HI] You've been involved with leisure and
hospitality technology for quite a few years.
Could you give us a summary of your professional background?
[BH] My start in the industry predates the
birth of many of the current trend-setters in the technology industry.
In 1982, hours after my graduation from Michigan ’s
Alma College ,
I was on the road to Westchester Country Club in Rye , New York
golf technology firm.
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| Hotelier Indonesia Magazine April 2013 |
The firm Handicomp had been in business since 1968
as one of the leading data processing firms in the golf industry.
They were in the process of developing software to manage
membership, accounting and golf handicapping for the country club markets. The code was developed for both the Unix
operating system, and MSDOS (developed by a small Seattle-based company named
Microsoft). The system quickly gained market share, and had a solid
client base around the USA
In 1993, I decided to make a move and focus more
on the global market. At that point I created a new firm with a partner
in Geneva , Switzerland Guam , Japan ,
Singapore and Kenya
[HI] International consulting on golf, spa
and hospitality systems must have taken you to some interesting places?
What are a few?
[BH] I have enjoyed the journey.
Though I've bounced around to 45+ countries, I’d have to say it’s the
people I meet along the way that have made it interesting. A few include:
Guam & Japan: Following on our successes in Kenya , we later carried-on into Guam and Japan
[HI] You've been living in Bali
now for 8 years. What brings you here?
[BH] I had spent quite a lot of time
traveling out of a suitcase, traveling between the USA ,
Hong Kong , China ,
Thailand , East Africa and
the Middle East . I felt it was
time to make one place somewhat permanent. As one who like warm
temperatures and nice beaches .. and also having access to the golf & spa
market, I thought Bali would be a good place
to be. I certainly don’t regret it.
[HI] You’ve seen the market change quite a
bit, from your early days working with Unix and MSDOS to today’s world.
What do you think of it?
[BH] Software technology has always been a
quick moving market. You've got to keep your wits about you to stay up
with the younger guys. We had to understand that just because we had a
leading software system written in COBOL for MSDOS, that we shouldn't rest on
our laurels. As a successful firm, we needed to realize that though we
were a market leader with one technology, others were likely lurking around the
corner with something potentially more impressive.
I've seen the need to be ready on multiple fronts:
- as one of the firm’s directors I had to be able to ensure the consumer’s requirements were fully understood, and that we properly conveyed these ideas to the development team.
- we also needed understand that the
requirements may vary from one region to another. An American
system, or a western system cannot simply be copied and brought to the Asian
market. There are countless examples where a western leader failed in
their attempts to enter
- There are also significant differences
in social media from one region to another. Many parts of the world are
connected through Facebook, Twitter or one of several other social media
products. A western firm that relies solely on western social media
cannot expect to have the same level of success in
[HI] What do you think about the hotel systems market in Indonesia
[BH]
There are several levels. The international five-star hotels
and resorts are likely required to follow the directives of their corporate
office, which is typically Micros Opera, Par Springer Miller, Infor or one of
several others.
The
mid-range and five-star hotels not tied to an international directive have a
good selection of locally develop solutions (developed in Indonesia , Malaysia
or Singapore
Cloud-based
PMS solutions are now available and would be a very good fit for the small to
mid-sized market. These solutions are web-based and significantly reduce
the hotel’s technology investment.
[HI]
How do you view corporate social responsibility (CSR) and volunteering?
[BH]
I support CSR and feel it should be a part of any company able to
contribute. It’s important for business to give back to the
communities they’re involved in. Personally, I've been involved in
several community development projects in northern Nigeria
[HI]
Being involved with golf clubs and spas around the world, do you have any
favorites?
[BH]
The vagabond in me enjoys the “newness” of a first time on a golf course
or trying a new signature treatment at a different spa. I’m not one for
“sameness” and enjoy the differences in a wide range of experiences, whether it
be a new spa experience, food or culture.
[HI]
How can people connect with you if they wish:
[BH]
Various ways to connect:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeyBill
Weibo (新浪微博): http://weibo.com/3218030862
VK (Russia): http://vk.com/heybill
Hotelier Indonesia
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