Hotel Management Company Tips of the Week | August 16, 2024

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Hotel Best Practices from a Family-Owned, Third-Party Hotel Management Company

Motivational Quote of the Week
"Success is not about what you achieve for yourself, but what you inspire others to achieve." -Unknown

• Hotel Team Application: Encourage your hotel team to focus on inspiring and empowering their colleagues to reach their full potential. Inspire them to lead by example and to create a supportive environment where everyone feels encouraged to pursue their goals and contribute to the overall success of the team.

Click 'Read More" (below, if necessary) to view the rest of this week's digest of tips and best practices for hotel maintenance, management, housekeeping/laundry, and front desk from the team at Jackson Hotel Management company in Virginia. Click here to learn more about our hotel management services. ​​

How to Use Low-Maintenance Landscaping to Reduce Costs
(Maintenance Tip of the Week)
Use of Low-Maintenance Landscaping

• Explanation: Opting for low-maintenance landscaping reduces upkeep costs.
• Impact: Cost savings, reduced labor hours, and potential for positive outdoor aesthetics.

Steps:

• Design the hotel's landscaping with low-maintenance plants, trees, and shrubs.
• Choose landscaping elements that are adapted to the local climate and require minimal water.
• Implement drip irrigation systems and automated timers for efficient watering.
• Train landscaping staff on the care and maintenance of low-maintenance plants.
• Regularly assess the condition of the landscaping and make adjustments as needed to maintain aesthetics and reduce maintenance efforts.

How to Build Trust with Transparency
(Management Tip of the Week)
Transparency in Decision-Making

• Explanation: Sharing rationale behind decisions builds trust and understanding.
• Impact: Increased staff buy-in, reduced uncertainty, and potential for positive guest interactions.

Steps:

• Communicate the reasons behind decisions to staff through meetings or memos.
• Encourage open dialogue and questions from employees regarding decisions.
• Implement a feedback mechanism to collect employee input on key decisions.
• Maintain consistency in communication to build trust.
• Address concerns and provide clarity when decisions affect staff directly.

How to Build a Culture of Adherence to Safety Protocols
(Housekeeping/Laundry Tip of the Week)
LAUNDRY—Adherence to Safety Protocols

• Explanation: Ensuring staff follow safety protocols while handling laundry equipment prevents accidents.
• Impact: Employee well-being, reduced liability, and uninterrupted laundry operations.

Steps:

• Develop safety guidelines for laundry equipment operation.
• Train staff on equipment safety and hazard identification.
• Conduct regular safety meetings and drills.
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to staff.
• Display safety instructions and emergency contacts prominently.
• Establish a reporting system for safety incidents.
• Investigate and document any safety incidents.
• Implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence.
• Conduct safety audits and inspections.
• Continuously update safety protocols based on lessons learned.

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How to Demonstrate Empathy and Build Trust with your Guests
(Front Desk Tip of the Week)
Empathy and Understanding

• Explanation: Demonstrating empathy towards guest concerns shows a commitment to their well-being.
• Impact: Builds trust, resolves issues effectively, and leaves a lasting positive impression.

Steps:

• Train front desk staff on the importance of empathy and provide them with techniques to express understanding and compassion.
• Encourage staff to listen actively and acknowledge guest concerns before offering solutions.
• Provide role-playing scenarios to help staff practice empathetic responses to various guest situations.
• Ensure staff are equipped with the knowledge and authority to address and resolve guest concerns promptly and effectively.
• Monitor guest feedback to identify instances where empathy was demonstrated and areas for improvement.
• Encourage staff to follow up with guests after resolving concerns to ensure satisfaction and reinforce their commitment to guest well-being.​
  
• Recognize and reward staff who consistently display empathy and understanding in their interactions with guests.