Communication in the hospitality industry: Bundeling to the rescue
Imagine this: it’s friday evening, peak time at your restaurant. The kitchen is running at full speed, the staff is rushing back and forth, and then it happens… Your scheduled colleague calls in sick without arranging a replacement. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Communication challenges are abundant in the hospitality industry, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Read on!
Communication challenges in the hospitality industry – and the solution!
In the hospitality industry, everything revolves around good communication. Whether you run a busy restaurant or a cozy café, it is essential that everyone – from the kitchen to the service staff – is on the same page. But let’s be honest: plenty of communication problems can arise. Let’s take a look at the most common issues and how you can solve them, ensuring that both your team and your guests are happy!
Lost information
In every hospitality business, things can sometimes get lost. The rush, simultaneous requests, or multiple tasks can lead to important information slipping through the cracks. This can result in situations where:
- Guest requests disappear into thin air
- Staff are unaware of ongoing promotions or safety protocols
- A lack of prioritization, leaving everyone doing “their own thing”
Solution
During busy periods, crucial information can easily get lost. This is not only annoying but can lead to real problems. A smart solution is to use a digital system where everyone can enter requests and tasks. This way, no information is lost, and everyone can see what needs to be done. Also, start each day or shift with a short briefing. Taking a moment to review the key points ensures that everyone is informed and aware of what’s going on.
Language barriers
The hospitality industry often employs people from diverse backgrounds. Language differences can lead to:
- Misunderstandings about tasks and responsibilities
- Difficulty understanding safety protocols
- Reduced team cohesion
Solution
When not everyone speaks the same language, it can cause confusion. To address this, you can offer language courses to your employees, helping them better understand and speak the common language. Additionally, use images and symbols for important instructions. A drawing of a fire extinguisher, for example, is clear to everyone, regardless of the language they speak. This helps make safety rules and other critical information understandable for all.
Last-minute cancellations
Illness or other unforeseen circumstances can cause staff members to cancel their shifts at the last minute. This leads to:
- Understaffing during peak times
- Stress for the remaining staff who have to fill in
- Communication issues regarding who is available and who is not
Solution
It’s always frustrating when someone calls in sick at the last minute. To handle this effectively, it’s smart to have a pool of flexible workers on standby. These individuals can be quickly called in when needed. Additionally, an app like Bundeling can be a lifesaver. It allows staff to easily swap shifts amongst themselves if someone is unable to work. This way, problems are often resolved before they even reach the manager.
Outdated communication
Many hospitality venues still act as though smartphones don’t exist. By not keeping up with modern times, you miss out on opportunities to reach everyone quickly and easily. Are you still printing the schedule and hanging it in the staff room? And sharing updates mainly in person? Then you’re truly behind other hospitality businesses.
Solution
If you’re still doing everything on paper, you’re missing opportunities to communicate with your team quickly and easily. A simple solution is to use an app for internal communication. With it, you can quickly send messages, share schedules, and keep everyone informed. Also, consider placing digital screens in the staff area. You can use these to display important announcements, schedules, and other information. This way, everyone is always up-to-date, even if they don’t have time to check their phone.
Bundeling as an employee app
Bundeling is a convenient employee app for hospitality businesses looking to improve their internal communication. With Bundeling, you gather all important information in one central place, giving employees easy access to schedules, manuals, safety protocols, and other essential documents via their smartphone. The app allows you to quickly share news and important announcements, such as menu changes or special promotions, through push notifications. This ensures that everyone is always well-informed, and important information doesn’t get lost.
Another major advantage of Bundeling is the ability to improve staff scheduling. Employees always have their most recent schedule at hand and can easily swap shifts or report their availability through the app.
Moreover, you can easily plan and manage events such as staff meetings or training sessions via the app, allowing everyone to sign up or decline. By using Bundeling in these ways, you create a more engaged team and improve overall efficiency in your hospitality business. It helps keep everyone on the same page, even if not everyone is physically present at the workplace.
How ABC uses Bundeling as an employee app
Did you know that several hospitality businesses use Bundeling? In this video, Maarten Meurs, owner of ABC Restaurants International, shares their experience with the Bundeling platform.
Get started with Bundeling
Are you not yet using Bundeling? Contact us for a free demo! Bundeling has already helped over 800 organizations structure their internal communication, share important business information, and bring teams and colleagues closer together. Connect Smarter with Bundeling.