The Way We Started citizenM Has Lessons For Everyone Today

with Michael Levie

Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Shiji Group, the global hospitality technology leader that helps hotels streamline operations and transform guest experiences.

Today, we’re learning from Michael Levie, co-founder of citizenM.

The Big Idea: Bringing together diverse viewpoints and then relentlessly focusing on improving processes is how you turn “innovation” from a concept to reality.

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We brought together partners from architecture, retail, and hospitality, each contributing unique skills and perspectives. The result? A brand that disrupted the limited-service boutique space not just with physical design but with under-the-hood innovations.

Why It Matters: Without diverse viewpoints and a structure for harnessing those into productive working relationships, it’s nearly impossible to bring bold, creative ideas to life.

What Happened? citizenM revolutionized hospitality by combining modular design, retail-inspired efficiency, and guest-centric operations—all powered by a team of diverse and empowered leaders.

Want more? Listen to Michael talk more about this today on the Hospitality Daily Podcast (available on Spotify or Apple Podcasts)

Try This Today: Identify repetitive tasks that could be outsourced or automated to refocus you and your team on what matters most.

Think Ahead: How can you bring together diverse expertise to drive innovation in your context?

Scroll down for more resources to help you with this…

A MESSAGE FROM SHIJI GROUP

Watch Now: The Future of Hotel Tech - Integration, AI, and Guest Experience

Has Hotel Technology Lost Its Way? Building the Ultimate Tech Stack | Shiji Buzz: Episode 15

Just like you aim to deliver seamless guest experiences, your technology stack should work effortlessly behind the scenes. But are your systems working together as efficiently as they could?

Learn from industry experts from Pro-Invest Group, Pertlink, and Shiji Group as they reveal:

Why the “ultimate tech stack” looks different for every hotel
How to balance AI innovation with practical implementation
What successful hotels are doing to measure the effectiveness of technology

Whether you're evaluating your current systems or planning future technology investments, this candid discussion will help you navigate the evolving landscape of hotel technology.

Watch the full webinar here now

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A MESSAGE FROM JOSIAH

Discover How AI is Being Used in Hospitality Today

AI has quickly become one of the most transformative forces in our world. But what does that mean for you and your work in hospitality?

To answer that question, I’m gathering input from professionals across the hospitality industry and would really appreciate your participation. In exchange, I’ll send you an exclusive summary of what I find in the study. These insights will enable you to compare your experiences with others in hospitality and uncover practical ways to use AI in your work and business in 2025.

Participate here now and get these insights

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-Josiah

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🍍 the citizenM origin story