A lot of effort goes into making a hotel successful, and much of that responsibility falls into the lap of the hotel manager. Regardless of the size or location of a hotel, the hotel manager needs toÊwork cohesively with other team membersÊto get the job done.
If you manage a hotel, you are probably always seeking advice on ways that you can improve your skills and become a better manager. We have compiled some tips and tricks to help you better manage a hotel and improve the operations at your property.
1.ÊBe a motivator for your hotel staff
Successful hotel management relies heavily on a manager being able to motivate staff members to accomplish their own individual tasks and goals with gusto.
The best hotel managers are able to recruit top staff members for available positions, and continue to motivate them to do well by listening to them, evaluating their performance and rewarding them when they exceed expectations.
One of the best ways to motivate hotel staff members is to be a manager who leads by example. Always be willing to do the work necessary to get the job done, even when it lies outside your normal range. This will earn their respect and admiration.
2.ÊBe confident and make informed decisions
The hotel manager is required to make the most important decisions at the hotel, and it’s necessary for you to be able to take quick, decisive action at a moment’s notice.
As the leader, it is up to you to be able to make informed decisions that will produce the best results possible for the hotel.
A lack of confidence or displaying doubt in front of staff will lower morale and trust, leading to a decrease in performance that flows onto the guest experience.
3.ÊAlways focus on the big picture
It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day details of running a hotel property, and it is important for hotel managers to stay informed of daily activity at the hotel. However, it’s also the role of the manager to focus on the big picture while letting staff members take care of their daily responsibilities.
You should be creating short-term goals for your team members that lead to long-term results, such as increasing revenue year over year,Êboosting direct bookingsÊand improving theÊconversion rate on the hotel website.
4.ÊStay informed of industry trends and news
A good hotel manager is a knowledgeable hotel manager. You should create time in your daily routine to consume news from the mostÊreliable industry sources. You could spend 30 minutes in the morning over a cup of coffee reading blogs, browsing Twitter feeds and catching up on industry news
Knowing current trends and understanding the opinions of trusted experts will ultimately have a big impact on the decisions you make regarding the long-term success of your hotel.
5.ÊSpend time in the hotel
It’s easy to spend endless hours in the office, but it’s important that you don’t become disconnected from your property.
After the morning staff meeting, make it a point to spend time in the lobby greeting guests and discussing feedback with them. Regularly visit the kitchens, the laundry facilities and the common areas.
By being present in your hotel, you will have a better understanding of what needs to be done to make it a successful property.
In many ways, hotel management is an art form. Balancing your own unique approach with industry trends andÊtechnologyÊis a delicate task, but these are all things you need to rely on to be successful.
About the author
DeanÊElphick is an editor, copywriter, and published creative writer. Expertly covering hotel management topics such as technology and digital marketing, he produces content at SiteMinder with one aim in mind – to help hoteliers run their businesses better. For more ofÊDean’s useful articles and downloadable guides, head over to SiteMinder’s resources hub.
