Communication is one of the main tenets of the hospitality industry and, working with guests day in and day out, we understand how it factors into delivering quality customer service, as well as our success as a company. Apart from adopting effective communication with potential clients, there are also undeniable benefits in networking with other trailblazers in your field.
In itself, networking, according to the Harvard Business Review, is a necessity in this day and age. Even beyond seeking for potential employment opportunities, the professional networks you foster throughout your career can help you excel in various ways. Here are some ways effective professional networking can help you thrive in the hospitality industry.
Effective Communication | Fosters Confidence
If you’re not adept at networking, it can seem like a daunting task to connect with new people and fully express your passion and drive for your line of work. A great way to get started making new connections in the hotel landscape is taking advantage of industry-related networking opportunities such as conferences geared toward hospitality brands, hoteliers and hotel management.
Effective Communication | Builds Brand Awareness
One of the surefire benefits of networking is that it gets the name of your brand out there.
Connecting with new people offers new opportunities to let people know who you are, what company you represent and how your company’s services can benefit them.
Whether it’s an experience hotel operations manager or a recent hospitality management graduate, adopting effective communication skills helps hospitality professionals generate brand awareness, acquire new sales leads and business prospects, and attract new hires.
Effective Communication | Attracts Your Ideal Client
Contrary to popular belief, networking is less about knowing which people to talk to and more about how to make a lasting impression in a short amount of time.
In hospitality, the elevator pitch – or knowing how to introduce yourself and your brand in 60 seconds or less – is key. As today’s ideal guest has a variety of lodging options, hotel brands and marketers only have small window of time to make a sale, on-and offline. That’s why it’s important to hone the highlights of your hotel to craft a pitch that’s attractive to your target audience segment.
For instance, if you’re in sales and looking to increase wedding bookings, you should be prepared with a brief pitch that details available ballroom and event space, catering selections and other unique offers catered to wedding parties, such as a honeymoon suite or spa package.
Effective Communication | Opens More Doors
Once you’ve made the right impression, and introduced your brand to business prospects, effective communication opens doors. Networking with other hospitality professionals offers the chance to leverage their network and potentially connect with additional industry stakeholders.
Effective Communication | Presents Peer-to-Peer Learning Opportunities
As hospitality is all about relationships, adopting effective communication is always advantageous. This applies to internal connections as well – such as mentor-mentee relationships.
For instance, Valor Hospitality UK’s Future Leaders Program gives new hospitality professionals the opportunity to network with experienced hospitality leaders who provide valuable advice, as well as an avenue to learn skills that will further their careers.
What do you think is the biggest benefit of effective communication in hospitality management?
