Exclusive Feature: As we reach the end of the first month of the new year, every manager should pause for a moment—not to review numbers or targets, but to look closely at how the year has begun with their team.

By now, most managers have already finalized their operational plan.

Key periods are marked: peak seasons, weekends, expo schedules, and critical business dates. Policies have been reviewed, tariff changes implemented, promotions evaluated, and marketing strategies discussed. Team briefings have been conducted to ensure everyone understands the roadmap.

But the more important question is not about the plan. It is about the people who will execute it—your team, both individually and collectively.

Have you considered what you want for those who work with you this year?

Are they expected to follow the same routine as last year, or have you asked how their tasks could be improved or adapted? Have you scheduled a brainstorming session early in the year to hear their insights on optimizing processes, fixing inefficiencies, or identifying new opportunities?

Incentives are another critical element.

Have you adjusted your incentive schemes, or are they unchanged from the day employees were hired? Even more concerning—are your employees fully aware of how bonuses and performance evaluations work, or is this information unclear or unknown?

Understanding your people is essential.

Have you checked in with team members individually to understand how they feel stepping into a new year? Do they feel prepared? Are there competencies that need development? Have you planned the necessary training, mentorship, or knowledge-building programs to raise their capability and confidence?

And finally, the practical question often overlooked:

Do they have the tools, resources, and equipment they need to perform at their best? Sometimes the difference between average and excellent performance is as simple as updated software, better hardware, or the right operational support.

The start of a year is not only a moment to set business goals. It is a crucial opportunity to strengthen, empower, and equip the people who will turn those goals into results.
A successful plan requires a successful team. And a successful team begins with a manager who listens, understands, and prepares.

Dariush Alagha is a freelance journalist and blogger specializing in the hotel industry. He has published over 100 notes, articles, and interviews in Iranian hotel and tourism magazines, all in Farsi. Since 2014, he has also been working hands-on in the Italian hospitality sector, bringing practical experience to his writing and insights.

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