11 Ideas for Hotel Team Work in 2018

People in every Hotel talk about working as a Team, about Team Building, about Team Work; but how many of us actually sit down and think about what it really means? I did this morning...

A Team is simply not going to form within our Hotels unless the group members have been clearly told, perhaps by their General Manager or their Head of Department what is going on – both in the Hotel and in the wider Organisation?

Groups of workers also need to have Clear Expectations of what is required from them - otherwise they will never start to develop a stronger bond. It could be relatively simple; I need 95% occupancy from Rooms and 25% Food Cost of Sales from the Kitchen. Not a blunt email. A Face to Face Team meeting.

Commitment is needed from groups within the Hotel if they are ever transform into a Team. Not threats. Discussion about why we need to achieve what is expected and what are the Consequences of not achieving them - of course there is no place for un-realistic targets when trying to achieve Commitment? 

Whether we are talking about a Department, a Hotel or something else bigger; perhaps this Commitment can be turned into something more formal; a Charter or a bonus scheme? Again, this will only work if those Groups within that Department or the Hotel behave suitably - they have an appropriate Culture. 

A Group of workers are unlikely to turn into that Team if they simply do not have the Competences to achieve what is required within the Department or Hotel. Likewise, if the Hotel’s facilities are not suitable for what is expected?

Nobody can begin to create Teams without Control. I don’t mean tough Hotel Management and Supervision. I mean helping the Groups to move towards what is expected of them within each Hotel or Department.

Clever daily Supervision to bring about Collaboration is key to the development of Teams; reminders of the longer term Aims of that part of the business and Vision for the future. Day after day, week after week, in the end it will become habitual? Co-ordination will only develop with the right groups of people working with the correct Supervisors or Managers?

Appropriate Communication to develop Groups into Teams is not just that which comes about by the daily face to face within the groups. Perhaps Notice Boards? Perhaps Team Talks? Asking People How they are doing? Congratulating people, when things happen? If it has not, how can we do better? Not just a warning? Not just pre-service briefing? 

If no one wants to take part perhaps it means you have not got it quite right yet?

I am not talking about what Belbin said or the many other writers on this incredible subject; I am talking about what it truly takes to get a Group of workers in a Hotel to truly feel like that they have become empowered into a real Team. Not just told they are a Team by their Manager or Supervisor – truly feel like a Team.

Oh, and by the way, did I say it took time? Tell me what you think and join in? Is it different in different parts of the World? Go on join in.

Through his electronic writing, Stephen attempts to help those without the time or often the money to attend College by providing them with Learning.

Watching these vlogs and reading these blogs will assist hospitality students and workers in the Global Hospitality Industry to train and develop using Social Media.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stephen Sawyers brings 20-years of Hotels and Hospitality Management to his book writing.

These blogs and vlogs are intended for hotel workers, supervisors and managers who are (or want to become) actively engaged in learning and development around the world.