In today's dynamic hotel industry, technology is reshaping how we operate. Around 40 percent of hotel GMs identify technology reskilling as a top workforce challenge. This comes as no surprise given the industry's high turnover rate of 73.8 percent despite record-high wages. Finding tech-savvy staff with excellent service skills can be challenging, and extensive training can hike up costs while compromising service quality. In this article, we’ll explore how intuitive cloud PMS technology coupled with effective training can empower hotel staff, cut onboarding time and costs, and elevate guest experiences.

User-Friendly PMS: Simplifying Training and Reducing Costs

Traditional PMS systems focused on functionality but overlooked the user experience. They offered an array of features but presented them in cluttered interfaces, requiring weeks of training to navigate. Staff found themselves tethered to screens instead of engaging with guests.

Modern PMS platforms should prioritize ease of use. Interfaces should be intuitive, with clear navigation and language. By simplifying training to hours per module, hotels can onboard new staff in days, saving substantial costs.

Empowering Staff: Enhancing Service Quality and Job Satisfaction

The benefits of a user-friendly PMS extend far beyond cost savings. When staff members are empowered to navigate the system effortlessly, they can devote more time and attention to delivering exceptional service to guests. Authentic interactions and meaningful contributions become the norm, leading to higher levels of job satisfaction and, ultimately, decreased turnover rates. And as any seasoned hotelier knows, retaining skilled staff members is invaluable in maintaining a consistent standard of service and building lasting guest relationships.

Automation: Streamlining Operations for Greater Efficiency

Cloud PMS platforms with robust automation capabilities offer more features that can turn your staff into superstars. From auto-assigning rooms to managing reporting, an automation-powered cloud PMS can simplify mundane tasks to free up your team’s time, boost productivity and allow your staff to focus on what really matters: your guests.

Mobile PMS platforms are also changing how hotels handle housekeeping teams too. By ditching the old clipboard and pencil, modern mobile PMS platforms streamline room assignments based on employee availability, maximizing efficiency, and boosting housekeeping productivity by up to 25 percent. And let's not forget about communication – mobile messaging systems ensure instant communication between staff and guests, making interactions seamless, efficient and almost instantaneous.

But automation can do much more than that! Mobile and kiosk-based self-check-in can completely automate the entire guest welcome 一 from room selection, to payments, ID scanning, upgrade and amenity offers and digital room keys. This allows your guests to check in on their own in less than a minute, while either reducing the burden of front desk associates or allowing you to run a hotel with minimal staff presence.

Continual Learning: Investing in Staff Development for Long-Term Success

Of course, none of this would be possible without a commitment to continual learning and development. In an industry as dynamic as hospitality, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Comprehensive training programs that encompass both technical skills and soft skills are crucial for ensuring that staff members are equipped to handle the ever-evolving demands of the job. Whether it's through e-learning modules, workshops or hands-on training sessions, investing in staff development is an investment in the future success of your hotel.

Transforming Hotel Operations for Success

In conclusion, a user-friendly cloud PMS is not just a tool; it's a strategic asset that can empower a hotel’s frontline staff, reduce onboarding costs, and elevate the overall guest experience. By embracing technology and investing in staff training and development, hotels can position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive industry landscape. So why wait? Start empowering your staff and transforming your hotel operations today.

About Stayntouch

Stayntouch delivers a full-featured and Best-in-Class cloud property management system (PMS) with a comprehensive library of over 1,200 best-in-class integrations. Our cloud-native PMS empowers hotels to drive revenue, reduce costs, enhance service, and captivate their guests. Stayntouch's newly expanded PMS platform, Stayntouch 2.0, further simplifies hotel operations, allowing hotels to streamline and accelerate direct bookings, process payments easily, and simplify integrations - offering an even more enhanced guest experience. Stayntouch is supported by a team of professionals with deep roots in the hospitality industry and is a trusted partner to industry-leading management companies including Sage Hospitality, HEI Hotels & Resorts, EOS Hospitality, and Stoney Creek Hotels, innovative independent brands such as Village Hotels, Pod Hotels, and First Hotels, and iconic independent properties such as the TWA Hotel and Zoku Amsterdam. For more information, visit www.stayntouch.com.

Elliott Mest
MFC PR
Stayntouch