Innovation

Hilton is using interactive touch-screen televisions to give guests access to information at any time that ordinarily might require interaction with a conference manager or concierge. Hilton indicates that this is both an opportunity to serve its customers as well as a chance to give them a peek at technology of the future - much as hotels did when they first offered air conditioning or remotes in rooms.

As buzz words go, "innovation," has racked up serious mileage in the information technology industry. The word appears on nearly every industry conference agenda in 2008 (HT owns up to its share) and continues to be a prime directive for many top IT leaders. But beneath all the next-gen talk and the innovation task forces, successful innovation in the quick-service industry requires a dedicated focus on three things: accuracy, speed and simplicity.