HAVING A VISION

'Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of vision'.

In this series of articles, we at Hospitality Skills aim to address the issues and challenges facing the hospitality industry today. We'll examine and discuss the solutions and suggest actions to be taken to enable you to move your business forward, possibly in a new direction if that's required.

Albert Einstein once said, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". We have often had this conversation with clients who fervently believe that the way they have always done things, over many years, is the right way. In some cases this is true, there are some fundamental aspects of hospitality that will never change; it's in the word... 'hospitality'. However, many things have changed.

We are trading under very different conditions today and 'normal' has gone forever. We have to adapt to these ever changing times whether that's climate related, new technology, banking crises or Governmental factors beyond our control; we have to re-position ourselves to remain relevant and visible to our customers.

The consumer is a different animal too. Today, a guest can sit in your restaurant having breakfast whilst wielding their mobile device between the condiments, informing the world about their experience - with photographs to boot! You are on trial day and night, held to account by a plethora of social media judges, all of whom have the power to make your day....or send you into the depths of despondency until the next decent review hits your inbox.

'They should be stopped!' I hear you cry. 'It shouldn't be allowed! What right do they have?' But one is reminded of the story of King Canute having his chair carried down to the shore, to order the waves not to break upon his land. Our protestations are as futile as Canute's demands.

Whether we like it or not, the world is a rapidly changing place and it has never been more important to know where you are now and where you want to be in the future. Will that future be a place you decide upon or one that's determined for you? For an answer to this question, consider for a minute what happened over the last five years. You get the point? Your vision, your five year plan, will be the framework for you to design the future you want.

We use the term 'vision' for a reason. Having a vision is much broader than just having a business plan with a sales forecast and cash-flow projections. It carries with it an emotional element which, as we shall see later, is essential to its achievement.

So, we want to sell you on the idea of creating a vision for your business. A five year plan that starts today and acts as a Sat Nav to guide you through the twists and turns ahead. A vision can incorporate a written and a visual representation of your plan; a picture that can be shown to your team, something relatable, a clear interpretation you can both buy into.

But before you start committing your vision to paper (or iPad), you need to get into the right mind set. One of the main obstacles to this process is believing that change can happen at all. Ask yourself this; has anyone else ever done what you would like to do? The answer is usually yes, so plant that thought in your mind from the outset; if it's been done before, it can be done again and you can do it too!

Turning a vision into reality. The iconic Burj Al Arab, a symbolic statement for Dubai.

BURJ AL ARAB

Let's turn to the practicalities of creating your vision, your five year plan.

Thought process

The first stage is to enter into entrepreneurial thinking mode. Learning how to think in an entrepreneurial way allows you to stay one step ahead of your competition; recognising opportunity in what people might want in the future, considering improvements in efficiency, introducing new products and services and training to enhance knowledge and skills. (Remember human capital is one of your greatest assets).

How will your new business differentiate itself from your competition?

Adaptive reasoning

Today, business processes, underlying workflows and information systems have to be adaptive to changes as guests expect you to deal with their requests in a flexible, individual way. The hospitality industry is characterised by ever changing requirements and unpredictability. Think through and reflect on the changing environment and consider how your customers needs will evolve over time. Reason and draw out conclusions to enable you to make effective decisions when the time comes.

Conceptional framework

A conceptional framework will allow you to outline possible courses of action and your preferred approach to your ideas and thoughts. It will enable sensible and clear discussion and will act as a compass to help navigate through the array of ideas.

In summary:

Combine ideas and concepts and organise them in a manner that makes them easy to communicate
Organise your thinking about how and why the changes should take place
Identify the activities required to make it happen
An overview of your ideas that will shape the way the new business will look
A set of assumptions, values and rules under which the changes will be conducted

You will find the process of creating this vision and the development of your five year plan will be empowering and motivating. Both you and your team will be invigorated and confident for the future. A good recipe for success.

Next time...Part 2 - We'll turn to the financial elements of your five year plan - Improving performance and achieving success in hospitality

For further information about Hospitality Skills and our services please contact us here:

David Allen

Co-Owner Hospitality Skills

www.HospitalitySkills.org

David@HospitalitySkills.org