The fragility of your current brand means that steps need to be made to rectify the crisis, so when you’re reopening your hotel, the last thing you want is another crisis.

Here are 3 things you can do to avoid catastrophe when reopening:

Always keep your all your employees (including furloughed) informed

Furloughing employees isn’t easy, but you need to take a realistic stance. Meaning, don’t promise or guarantee anything you’re unsure of. If you are optimistically hoping for business-as-usual operations in the next couple of months, make sure that there is an understanding that your vision may not reflect reality. The word “uncertain” has been tossed around a lot the past 90 days. Why? Because most haven’t been sure about the future.

The worst thing you can do is not inform your staff and keep them in the dark. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson went out in front of his employees and told them the impact of the pandemic. Laying off two-thirds of Marriott’s workforce was not easy, but he communicated with his staff the realities of the situation. If you aren’t communicating or ghosting your own employees, there will be consequences when business returns.

Prioritize safety

Health and safety is the top agenda during these times. Hotels have been focused on meeting all their legal obligations while avoiding negative impacts on their environment. Hygiene, for the most part, has been a priority. Even when legal obligations are lifted, consideration needs to be made towards the lasting impact the pandemic has had. If hygiene conditions worsen once the storm ends, it will backfire on your property. Now is the time to come up with processes to make your property cleaner for when the economy reopens.

Since many amenities have been removed for sanitation purposes, now is also the time to consider the longevity of unnecessary items and services. For the past few years, there’s been a rise in sustainable products. In fact, in many ways, you can make your brand more marketable by going green.

Excluding shower caps, SUP amenities and nail files mean fewer items to carry bacteria. If they’re left behind unused, housekeeping must dispose or sanitize them, which is can be time-consuming. In future practice, hotels may consider losing these items and changing their procedures altogether.

Support and donate

People care about how you are helping during these times of crisis. On the backend, you’re overwhelmed by financial ramifications. Is there room for compassion and empathy in a financial crisis? While everyone is aware of the effects of COVID, they’re equally as aware of how you are supporting your team and the community. People aren’t necessarily a part of your financing, but they will see if you’re doing what you can to support your team.

Many hotels have donated rooms for essential workers to stay and others have donated food to their furloughed staff. With every decision you make, consider the long-term impact. Even if you want to save every dime you can find, know that you will be creating a legacy by prioritizing the needs of others. Continue to be realistic but give back when you can

The hiring process is not something that you should take lightly. If you’re looking for talent, but not sure where to start, contact us! You can reach out to us at info@jdisearch.com / www.jdisearch.com and we’ll get you in touch with the right associate for your needs.