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F A Q

FAQ

FAQ 1:
What services do we offer?

We know the hotel business. So whatever issue you are facing in the hospitality industry, we have probably already seen it and solved it. Count on our expert team to provide the exact service you need to increase sales. Whether you choose our mystery shopper service, which is one of the most insightful and popular methods of uncovering the real story of what is going on with your business, or you need interim management due an unexpected change in staff, we can help. We will be there each step of the way from identifying the problem to decisively solving it.

  • Revenue Management
    Revenue Management is an essential component to the financial health of your hotel business, and we have a proven track record of getting results.
  • Sales and Marketing
    We will tackle your Sales and Marketing approach from every angle, from market research and competitive analyses to media planning and trade shows.
  • Interim Management
    We can provide expert day-to-day management of your operation in transitional times.
  • Meetings and Conferences
    We can assist in helping you plan Meetings and Conferences. We are also available to represent your company at conventions and conferences on your behalf.
  • Pre-Opening and Conversion
    Take advantage of our expertise, even before you open your doors. We do everything from evaluating a prospective building site to working with architects on layout and hiring staff.
  • Mystery Guests
    Our observant Mystery Guests are trained bring you the real story of what is going on with your business, behind your back.
  • Feasibility Studies
    Find out whether you’re headed in the right direction before you have gone too far with your time and money. A Feasibility Study could be the difference between making an informed decision and making the wrong decision for your business.
FAQ 2:
Why do I have so many staff problems?

The hospitality industry is very transient, it is filled with employees who are working a second job, on-the-job trainings from the university or college or maybe just in between jobs and see it as a stepping-stone to a different job. To be truthful without these people the industry would collapse but as an employer you must make it work in your favour.

It can be very frustrating for an employer when they are working alongside one of these people as they appear not to care very much and as an owner or manager you care a great deal. These two formulas do not mix very well, so it is up to you to bring them together in harmony. When you come across an employee who has adopted the hospitality industry as their career it is like a breath of fresh air, however even then things can be very frustrating. Communication and training are the solutions here, accept the fact that employees may not stay with you for too long but while they are with you make their job as interesting and fulfilling as possible.

The more your employees like their job the more productivity and loyalty you are likely to get, believe me this gives far better results than giving monetary rewards. Training can be a thankless task, just when you feel you have trained your employee to the standard you require they up and leave. Do not be disillusioned by this, it is a fact of life. You cannot fall into the trap of not training, as you will make life very hard for yourself.

Another good tip is to recognise that your employees need a life too; often in this industry they are asked to work very unsociable hours, for example Friday night – Saturday night and then Sunday breakfast and lunch. If your roster is structured where your employees get their time off to be with friends and families, then you will have much happier employees.

FAQ 3:
I am building a new hotel or buying an existing hotel but do not have much experience – any advise?

First of all I must ask you WHY? Going into any business without a substantial amount of experience is the best way to commit financial suicide.

Some people get the notion that they would be able to diversify their businesses and reap profitability from easy business such as hotel industry, or they would think to take a better avenue to invest in a real estate industry through hotel businesses, so they think they will easily hire hoteliers and harvest profitability because it looks easy – WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! – Go back you’re going the wrong way!
Nothing could be further from the truth, in fact it is a pretty tough life but it can be very financially rewarding and satisfying if YOU GET IT RIGHT.

The people who go into business without enough experience can create their own nightmares and find the stress is unbearable, but by this time it is already too late, they are in too deep to reverse the situation and stop the carnage. I do hope I have not put you off with my view but this is one reality in today’s hotel businesses.

Nevertheless, if you are still adamant about taking on this business you should surround yourself with people who have experience. This could be professional people such as a coach, consultant, or friends that owned their hotel businesses and have been successful. You will obviously have a solicitor and accountant, but these people are often guarded about the advice they give, unless it is legal or facts and figures based. You can still pick their brains as much as possible.

If you are taking over an established, well-maintained hotel it will more than likely come with an established employees. However in your case you will need to employ experiences, so consider carefully the employees’ dismissal and hiring new employees. All decisions you make would depend on the objectives you try to achieve apart from the profitability. Research and learn as much as you can, try and make some good common sense decisions.
Remember this important piece of advise; never be too proud to ask for help as it could make all the difference to your success in life.

FAQ 4:
What does a hospitality consultant do?

A hospitality consultant works with members of the hospitality industry to start, improve, or renovate businesses. This can include theme parks, attractions, restaurants, hotels, and related facilities. Hospitality consultants may choose to specialise in a particular area of the industry, like restaurant management or resorts, in order to offer the best services to their clients. Some have professional qualifications like degrees, while others have substantial experience in the industry, which they can apply to consulting sessions.

In an initial client meeting, the hospitality consultant can discuss the project and the goals. This allows both parties to determine if they are good fit; someone who mainly focuses on bars, for example, might not be a good consultant for a company working on a plan for a chain of coffee houses. Consultants can use information from this meeting to start planning the project, considering the target demographic, the client’s needs and goals, and other factors.

New facility development often includes hospitality consultants. They can assist with decisions ranging from décor to menu development, and may offer services like focus groups with prospective customers, assistance with advertising, and the development of training programs for personnel. As the facility moves into production, the hospitality consultant can supervise construction, decoration, and training. Similar services may be provided to firms interested in renovating and changing their business mission.

Failing companies or businesses concerned about staying competitive can also request the services of a hospitality consultant. In this case, the consultant can evaluate the business, identify strengths and weaknesses, and meet with the client to discuss them. This provides an opportunity to propose potential plans to rescue a business or keep it thriving; a restaurant, for example, might need to update its menu or staff training procedures to appeal to a new clientele and keep pace with the competition.