The year is off to a brilliant start for most and I often wonder, what will this new year bring?
The Hospitality industry has provided so much for us in the industry to be proud of and so much to learn from. Hotel properties around the globe are currently closing up 2012 and hoping that their figures represent growth. Speaking from the standpoint of a lonely by standard from the East Coast of Canada, the property I am currently with is reaping the rewards of a successful year. I wonder however, how can we make 2013 better?
A loaded question I realize. What are the experts saying? Of course they are saying that 2013 is expected to be a banner year. What can you do then to set yourself apart from the crowd? What standards do you currently have in place to allow your colleagues to shine?
Have you perhaps asked yourself what can you do to create a better learning environment for your colleagues? What are your goals for 2013? Are you hoping to increase your numbers? OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE. That of course goes without saying, but HOW are you going to go about doing that?
The Hotel industry is a wondrous thing. So much prospects for improvement but yet, here in Canada anyways, Money isn't being spent to improve things, that money is being sent overseas where the money is. That leaves mostly everyone in the same boat, find creative ways to create something magical to bring guests in.
Are your colleagues creating magic? Are they stuck in the golden ages or are they moving forward? Are you updating their skill set, or are they merely getting by with what they have had from the past. I mean, most people in the East Coast have the mentality, if it ain't broke, DON"T YOU DARE FIX IT.
Change is good. No matter WHO says differently. Ensuring guests are taken care of to the best of your ability is just standard now. Guests are more likely to leave a property because they had crappy service then stay and "SUCK IT UP" as it were. Information is a life source for the hospitality industry and one bad remark on say Twitter or Facebook could mean sudden death for a tiny mom and pop property.
Have you reached out to local resources to see if upgrading is a possibility? Taking on-line classes, looking at different ways of bettering ourselves will seriously assist everybody in the long run but are you willing to put in the time?
I have been in this business for some time. I can honestly tell you that it thrills me to upgrade myself, take the staleness out of my career. I love the day to day practices. I enjoy nothing more than spending time with those guests. Remember one thing however, all the upgrading and training in the world will NEVER, NEVER take the place of good old fashion guest engagement and interactions. Get out there and speak to your guests. Find out what they are saying and I can assure you, 2013 will be a magic filled year.
