STRategies Newsletter - Oct, 2024: Pt 2of4

Nurturing Your Team – The Key to Employee Engagement

On the final day of the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) International Conference 2023 in Orlando, Lance Stitcher and Elaine Mose Stitcher , owners of SEASIDE VACATION RENTALS LLC and Sales, proudly led their team up on the main stage to accept the award for Vacation Rental Management Company of the Year.

They credit much of their success to their team, and it’s not surprising that their company is known as “the ones to work for.”

Building a successful vacation rental business isn’t just about hiring the right people—it’s about creating an environment where every team member feels valued, supported, and motivated to give their best every day. It’s what the Stitcher’s do

In this edition, we’ll explore some practical strategies for nurturing your team, fostering engagement, and creating the type of culture where employees can thrive. You’ll also learn how Better Talent can assist in creating and implementing engagement strategies that contribute to long-term success.

Understanding Employee Engagement

Before we get into ways to nurture your team, let’s explain what employee engagement means.?

Engaged employees are more than just satisfied—they are emotionally invested in their work and the success of the company. They feel a sense of purpose in their roles and are motivated to go above and beyond in their day-to-day responsibilities.

The Importance of Employee Engagement

Employee engagement is directly linked to business outcomes, including:

• Higher productivity: Engaged employees are more focused and driven to complete tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Lower turnover: When employees feel valued and connected to their work, they’re less likely to seek opportunities?
• Improved guest experience: Team members who feel they are valuable to a company are more likely to provide exceptional service, leading to higher guest satisfaction and positive reviews.

Fostering engagement, requires more than offering competitive salaries or benefits. It involves nurturing your team’s development, ensuring they feel heard, and providing opportunities for growth.

Building a Culture of Engagement

Creating a culture where employees feel engaged begins with developing a sense of belonging and connection to your company’s mission and values. Here’s how you can build a culture of engagement within your vacation rental business:

Communicate Your Company’s Mission and Values

One of the most powerful ways to nurture employee engagement is by ensuring that everyone on your team understands your company’s mission and values. Employees who are aligned with your business goals are more likely to feel motivated to contribute.

Beach Getaways in Gulf Shores do this by sharing their values in a printed booklet from day one to a new team member.? Guests also get a copy which fosters accountability within the team.? When a guest sees the booklet, they expect certain behaviours from the employees they encounter.

• Regularly Reinforce Values: Make it a point to regularly remind employees of your company’s values and how their work contributes to your overall mission.? You could do this during team meetings, training sessions, or one-on-one conversations,
• Lead by Example: As a leader, it’s important to embody your company’s values in everything you do. Employees are more likely to stay engaged when they see leadership living out the same principles they’re expected to uphold.

Foster Open Communication

An open line of communication between team members and management is crucial for engagement. Employees want to feel like their voices are heard and that their feedback is valued.

• Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with your team members to discuss their progress, address any concerns, and gather feedback. This ensures that any potential issues are addressed early and helps employees feel supported.? This is particularly important with remote workers.
• Anonymous Feedback Channels: Consider putting an? anonymous feedback channel in place, where employees can voice concerns or offer suggestions without fear of judgment. This can provide invaluable insights into areas where you can improve.

Encourage Team Collaboration

Collaboration not only boosts team morale but also creates a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for the success of the business.

• Cross-Functional Projects: Assign team members from different departments to work together on special projects or initiatives. For example, guest relations staff could collaborate with the operations team to improve guest satisfaction.
• Team Building Activities: Organize regular team-building activities to strengthen relationships between team members. This could be something as simple as a team lunch or a more structured activity like a problem-solving workshop.

Supporting Employee Development

One of the best ways to nurture your team is by investing in their professional growth. Employees are more likely to stay engaged when they feel like they’re learning new skills and advancing their careers.

Provide Opportunities for Learning and Growth

• Training and Workshops: Offer regular training sessions or workshops that focus on developing both soft and hard skills. This could include training on new software, leadership development workshops, or guest service enhancement sessions.? Bring in outside trainers or specialists - this shows you are investing in team development and will be valued by staff.
• Industry Conferences: Encourage team members to attend industry events, such as vacation rental conferences, where they can gain new insights and network with others in the industry. This not only benefits the employee but also brings new ideas and strategies back to your business.? This doesn’t have to be the larger conferences - Valerie Hawkins from Perdido Key Realty send several of her staff to Nashville for the Vacation Rental Women’s Summit (Valerie stayed to look after the business while they were away>)

Create Career Pathways

Another effective way to engage your team is by providing clear career pathways within your company. When employees see opportunities for advancement, they are more likely to remain committed to the business and work toward long-term goals.

• Set Individual Development Plans: During regular check-ins, discuss each employee’s career goals and how they align with the company’s objectives. Work together to create individual development plans that outline the steps they need to take to reach the next level in their career.??

• Promote from Within: Whenever possible, promote team members to higher roles rather than hiring externally. This sends a strong message that your company values the growth and development of its employees.

Mentorship Programs

Pair new or less experienced employees with more senior team members to foster mentorship relationships. This not only helps newer employees acclimate but also provides senior team members with leadership development opportunities.

• Structured Mentorship Programs: Create a formal mentorship program where experienced employees are paired with newer hires for guidance, support, and skill development.
• Peer Mentorship: Encourage peer mentorship, where team members can informally mentor each other, share knowledge, and provide feedback on projects.

Recognizing and Rewarding Your Team

Recognition is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to nurture your team and keep employees engaged. Regularly recognizing and rewarding team members for their hard work helps them feel appreciated and reinforces positive behavior.

Formal Recognition Programs

Consider implementing a formal recognition program where employees are regularly acknowledged for their contributions. This could be a monthly or quarterly “Employee of the Month” award, where the winner receives a special prize or bonus.

• Peer Recognition: Encourage peer recognition by creating opportunities for team members to nominate each other for recognition. This helps foster a positive work environment where everyone feels valued.
• Guest Feedback: Use positive guest feedback to recognize employees who go above and beyond in providing exceptional service. Publicly share these comments in team meetings or newsletters to highlight the value of each team member’s contributions.

Offer Incentives and Perks

Incentives and perks are a great way to show appreciation and keep employees motivated. While financial bonuses are always appreciated, consider offering other non-monetary perks that can boost morale and engagement.

• Flexible Schedules: Offering flexible work hours or remote work options can be a powerful perk, especially in the hospitality industry, where work-life balance can sometimes be challenging.
• Professional Development: Provide access to professional development activities such as courses, certifications, or conferences. This not only enhances employee skills but also shows that you are invested in their growth.

Celebrating Milestones

Celebrate both personal and professional milestones. Recognizing an employee’s work anniversary or birthday with a small gift or team celebration can go a long way in making them feel valued and appreciated.

Keep in mind that not everyone likes to be rewarded or appreciated in the same way.? In the Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, Dr Paul White and Gary Chapman share the different preferences for appreciation.? It’s worthwhile reading this and considering how you can vary rewards according to team members individual preferences.

Measuring Employee Engagement

So, how do you know if your efforts to nurture your team are working?? Here are some ways you can track engagement levels within your team:

Employee Surveys

Ask them.? Carry out regular employee engagement surveys to gauge how your team feels about their work environment, management, and opportunities for growth. Anonymous surveys often yield the most honest feedback. You can use simple tools like Survey Monkey to create an engagement questionnaire.

• Engagement Metrics: Ask questions that allow you to measure engagement on a scale, such as how satisfied employees are with their role, how valued they feel, and whether they see opportunities for growth.
• Follow-Up on Feedback: Once you’ve gathered feedback, take action on the areas that need improvement. Share the results with your team and involve them in creating solutions to address any concerns.

Retention Rates

Employee retention rates are a direct indicator of how well you are engaging and nurturing your team. If you notice high turnover rates, it may be time to reassess your engagement strategies and identify areas for improvement.

Performance Metrics

Engaged employees tend to perform better, so monitor performance metrics such as productivity levels, guest satisfaction ratings, and overall team efficiency. If performance improves after implementing engagement strategies, it’s a sign that your efforts are working.

Well, that was an information-packed edition, and we hope you have enjoyed this 2nd part of our 4 part series on Building Your Team For Vacation Rental Property Management.

Your feedback will help us improve this, and you can let us know what you think by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

Have a great week.

Mike, Heather, Jason.