This is my third look at the downfall of Sonder. You may wonder why I give so much attention to one failed startup. The reason is simple. I write for the people who keep this industry alive. The hoteliers, the managers, the room attendants, the engineers, the chefs. The ones who carry the load every […]
What the Sonder Collapse Means for Your Career in Hospitality Read More »
A deep dive into Sonder’s bankruptcy and Marriott fallout. What went wrong, and what is the lesson for hoteliers. By Helmut H. Meckelburg Sonder’s story has reached its denouement in a Chapter 7 liquidation. Its operations are silent, its guests stranded, and a pivotal partnership with Marriott lies in ruins. My own career has followed
Sonder Collapse After Marriott Cuts Ties Read More »
The Rise and Fall of a High-Profile and failed Partnership: A Lesson in Leadership and Accountability and who should be fired In August 2024, Marriott International announced a long-term licensing agreement with Sonder Holdings, a tech-driven lodging startup known for its stylish, apartment-style accommodations. This startup is ambitious, but unproven. The deal promised over 9,000
The Marriott–Sonder Deal – Corporate Failure with Human Fall Out Read More »
Imagine this: you walk into the room, shake hands, smile — and within two minutes, the interviewer has already decided whether you’re a serious contender or just another name on the list. Two minutes. That’s how long it takes to make or break a first impression in an interview. I have interviewed thousands of candidates
How to Impress a Recruiter in 2 Minutes Read More »
In the first three articles of this series, we explored how to enter a new role with purpose, build trust with your colleagues and peers, and deliver early wins that prove your value. You learned how to read a hotel’s culture, identify silent influencers, and create small, meaningful results that set the tone for long-term
Thriving in the First 100 Days: Delivering Performance Without Losing Yourself Read More »
In our last article, we explored the critical art of building relationships—with your boss, peers, and the silent influencers who quietly shape the success of every hotel department. Many readers told me they finally understood why trust and credibility are more valuable than visibility alone. Now, we move to the next crucial step: delivering early
Thriving in the First 100 Days: Delivering Early Wins Read More »
In the first article of this series, I discussed entering with purpose, listening before acting, and running alongside the train before jumping on. That’s how you gain credibility in the early days. But credibility alone is not enough. Hospitality is a people business. Success comes down to who you build trust with, and how quickly.
Thriving in the First 100 Days: Building the Right Relationships Read More »
In my previous series, I showed you the reality of job searching in 2025—how to prepare, stand out, and succeed in interviews. Many of you wrote to me saying it was the first time you felt the job market was explained without sugarcoating. However, as I mentioned earlier, getting the job is not the finish
Thriving in the First 100 Days: Entering with Purpose Read More »
If you’ve been following this series, you’ve done the work. You’ve prepared, you’ve practiced. But as your interview approaches, the noise in your head might be getting louder—the fear, the “what-ifs,” the pressure to be perfect. I want to share one simple thing that helps many people find their quiet spot in a tech-driven world:
Mastering Interviews and Mindset: Turning Conversations into Offers Read More »
Most job seekers fall into the same trap: they spend nearly all their time sending out online applications. Day after day, they upload resumes into portals, answer repetitive questions, and hope for the best. It feels like a lottery. Weeks pass, often without a single reply. The problem isn’t effort. It’s a strategy. Online applications
Winning Strategies Beyond Applications Read More »
