A Balanced Approach to Hospitality Workforce Engagement: Flexibility, Experience, Insights

Employee disengagement poses a significant challenge in the hospitality industry, where engaged staff are the linchpin of outstanding guest experiences, a truth underpinned by startling figures from Gallup: disengaged employees contribute to a global productivity loss of $8.8 trillion, representing 9% of global GDP. This reality underscores the urgency of deploying effective hospitality workforce engagement strategies.

Central to addressing employee engagement are three critical elements: flexible touchpoints, enriched employee experience, and actionable insights. When harnessed effectively, these elements culminate into robust talent intelligence, empowering HR leaders to elevate service quality and operational efficiency.

Flexible Touchpoints: Key to Adaptive Hospitality Workforce Engagement

Employee turnover often challenges consistency. Implementing flexible touchpoints that are adaptable and responsive is an effective way to maintain continuous, meaningful dialogue with your employees and future-proof your retention strategy. 

Pulse surveys, typically administered annually or quarterly, are a common tool used by many hospitality brands to gauge employee satisfaction and engagement. While these surveys can provide valuable snapshots of employee sentiment, they may not always capture the full picture. In fact, in an industry with high employee turnover, the data from annual or even quarterly surveys might not be as relevant or insightful. The rapid change in staff composition means that feedback collected could be outdated or not reflective of the current team’s sentiments.

“Pulse surveys are great but also are quite challenging,” shared Dan Maimone, global head of customer success operations At Harri. “A lot of businesses do them every year, and when you’ve got 100 percent turnover, what truth is there in an annual survey? It’s good to get this feedback on the go.” 

Adaptability is the core strength of implementing flexible touchpoints. Real-time responses to employee feedback and changes in the workplace make employees feel heard and valued, and are instrumental in retaining staff beyond the challenging 90-day mark. Moreover, by maintaining a steady stream of communication and engagement, hospitality brands support employee performance and productivity, which is directly linked to delivering superior customer experiences. 

Enhancing Employee Experience Through Technology

Technology plays a pivotal role in improving the employee experience by creating efficient and engaging communication channels. The right tech solutions can bridge the gap between the demanding hospitality environment and the need for efficient communication, thereby transforming mundane activities into valuable engagement opportunities.

Addressing the unique challenge of a ‘deskless’ workforce in hospitality requires innovative tech solutions. The integration of technology in daily operations should strike a balance between what employees need to do and what engages them. Embedding quick, interactive elements into necessary tasks, like a brief survey or feedback prompt when clocking in, can transform a mundane activity into a valuable touchpoint for engagement.

Actionable Insights – Driving Improvements with Data

True engagement requires HR leaders to delve into the human stories behind data. By analyzing patterns in employee feedback, attendance, and performance, leaders can gain a nuanced view of their team’s morale and engagement levels. It’s not just about tracking attendance or performance metrics; it’s about combining quantitative data with qualitative feedback to form a holistic understanding of the team’s morale.

One of the most powerful aspects of data-driven insights is the ability to anticipate and address issues before they escalate. By closely monitoring engagement metrics, leaders can spot trends and patterns that may indicate potential challenges. This proactive stance is vital in the hospitality industry, where the pace is fast and the environment is constantly evolving.

5 Ways to Empower Hospitality Workforce Engagement Through Thoughtful Tech Adoption

Innovative Communication Platforms

Facilitate seamless communication within teams and between management and staff. These platforms are essential in breaking down barriers and ensuring every member of the hospitality workforce is engaged and informed.

Insightful Predictive Analytics

Leverage data to foresee and address challenges in turnover and engagement. This approach allows for preemptive strategies, ensuring a consistently high level of employee engagement and satisfaction.

Automated Feedback Systems

Create channels for secure and continuous employee feedback. These systems encourage a culture of transparency and inclusivity, allowing every employee’s voice to be heard and considered.

Employee-Centric Self-Service Options

Empower employees with tools for managing scheduling, benefits, and personal development. This autonomy enhances employee satisfaction by giving them control over key aspects of their work-life balance.

Adaptive Learning Platforms

Support diverse learning styles and promote individual growth. These platforms are crucial for ongoing professional development, catering to the unique needs and preferences of each employee in the hospitality sector.

Key Takeaways: Enhancing Employee Engagement in Hospitality

Addressing the unique challenges of employee engagement in hospitality requires a blend of flexible touchpoints, enriched experiences, and actionable insights. By embracing technology thoughtfully, organizations enhance communication, anticipate engagement issues, and empower their staff. The goal is to elevate the employee experience; thereby directly influencing service quality and operational efficiency.

Leveraging Harri Engage for Enhanced Employee Engagement

 

In the quest to address employee disengagement, tools like Harri Engage offer innovative solutions. Harri Engage is designed to connect with employees in their daily work environments, offering a user-friendly platform for managers to engage effectively with their teams. Key features include:

  • Automated Engagement: The platform automates engagement processes, providing support to new starters in their first 90 days and celebrating employee milestones.
  • Efficient Communication: Harri Engage facilitates seamless communication, allowing the sharing of important news and targeted communications across different locations, roles, or brands.
  • Real-Time Feedback and Recognition: The tool allows for quick feedback collection enhancing satisfaction through public recognition and important updates.
  • Integrated Analytics: Harri Engage integrates with Harri IQ, providing managers with actionable insights from data analytics and AI capabilities. This helps in forecasting and managing retention trends, enabling proactive interventions to reduce turnover risks​​.

By incorporating Harri Engage into their strategy, you can predict and intervene before turnover becomes a crisis. Discover the power of real-time engagement and actionable insights tailored for hospitality.

Learn more