How can you ensure your hospitality training is up-to-date with the latest industry trends?

1 Assess your needs

Before you enroll in any training program, you need to identify your learning goals and gaps. What are the skills and competencies that you need to improve or acquire to meet the current and future demands of your role and your organization? You can use various methods to assess your needs, such as self-evaluation, feedback from managers, peers, and customers, performance reviews, or online quizzes. Based on your assessment, you can prioritize the areas that you need to focus on and look for relevant training opportunities.

2 Choose quality sources

Not all training sources are created equal. You want to make sure that the training you receive is credible, reliable, and up-to-date. You can check the reputation and credentials of the training providers, instructors, and courses by looking at their reviews, ratings, testimonials, and accreditation. You can also ask for recommendations from your colleagues, mentors, or industry associations. Additionally, you can compare different sources and formats, such as online courses, webinars, podcasts, books, or workshops, and choose the ones that suit your learning style, budget, and schedule.

3 Follow industry leaders

One of the best ways to stay on top of the latest industry trends is to follow the experts and influencers who are shaping the hospitality sector. You can subscribe to their blogs, podcasts, newsletters, or social media accounts and learn from their insights, opinions, and experiences. You can also join online communities and forums where hospitality professionals share their knowledge, tips, and best practices. By following industry leaders, you can get access to valuable information, inspiration, and networking opportunities.

4 Apply your learning

Learning is not enough. You need to apply what you learn to your work and see the results. Otherwise, you will forget or lose interest in the new skills and knowledge. You can apply your learning by setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and tracking your progress. You can also seek feedback from your managers, peers, and customers on how you are performing and improving. Furthermore, you can share your learning with others and help them grow as well.

5 Keep learning

The hospitality industry is dynamic and competitive. You cannot afford to stop learning and become complacent. You need to keep updating your skills and knowledge to adapt to the changing needs and expectations of your customers and employers. You can keep learning by setting a regular schedule for your training, reviewing your learning goals and outcomes, and seeking new challenges and opportunities. You can also celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for your efforts.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?