Guest Blogger: Amery Burleigh, General Manager, Sofitel Broadbeach
Tourism and hospitality are one of the biggest sectors of the Australian economy, with spending expected to exceed $167 billion by 2025. Demand is expected to increase in the future, but staffing remains a major concern. The hospitality industry is famous for its high turnover, and transient nature, and finding and hiring the right staff is considered a major challenge for 54% of all hospitality business owners and managers. So, what can they do about this? I believe the answer lies in having a structured approach, which leads to a low turnover and high engagement.As someone who’s cut her teeth and risen through the ranks in the local and international hospitality industry, I’ve come up with three core secrets of success that can help you find and retain happy and suitable staff. Here are my very simple secrets of success:
As someone who’s cut her teeth and risen through the ranks in the local and international hospitality industry, I’ve come up with three core secrets of success that can help you find and retain happy and suitable staff. Here are my very simple secrets of success:
- Know exactly what you want and need:
You cannot find the right people for a role if you don’t have a clear definition of what a successful employee looks like in that position. This includes the values, characteristics, experience, and communication style they will have. This is not a stage worth rushing, and you shouldn’t compromise during the hiring process, as your diligence here will reap rewards in the long-term.
- Be worth it:
Want to attract and retain the best people? Then work on becoming the best employer. Put your employees first and look after their well-being. When you have happy employees, they take care of your customers with joy, and then you have happy, loyal customers. The hospitality industry is small, and word spreads quickly about whether or not an employer should be considered in the first place.
- Engage your team:
Involve and include your team members in your business’s journey. Teach them what you know and help them become better employees. Make your work environment a place where they can learn and grow, so that they feel valued, and you get value from having them there.
I’ll be speaking at The Business League’s next Business Breakfast on this topic, and will have other related insights to share. If you enjoyed this blog, I’d love to see you there! For more information, click here.
