Unit 6, Activity 3

For my example of technology use in hospitality, I will explain how I am currently supporting a business and Manager directly reporting to me.

In 2011 while on maternity leave I worked to develop the lelem’ hospitality concept which is a business plan that involves indigenous restaurants, accommodations and gift stores. Since this time I have successfully developed a gift store, full service restaurant and two express restaurant locations as well as future plans for three more locations. The business is highly popular and is a demonstration of how indigenous people can participate in the economy while building internal capacity in terms of employment. The business has provided a bricks and mortar example of how our company can be trusted to deliver as well as be considered as a good business partner in other future land development projects. While the success has been great, I have also been concerned that we are not maximizing systems to make effective management decisions. In the end the more time management spends on accessing information, the less time they are spending training employees and engaging customers. As a result I made the decision to investigate a new Point of Sale (POS) system, inventory management and scheduling tool. The new tools also provide additional capacity such as online ordering (soon to be implemented), line busting utilizing tablets, better reporting on the spot, to ensure the business is adequately staffed.  Also included is an integrated inventory management system to ensure food costs are kept in line as well as we so we do not risk running out of product and upsetting customers when their favorites are not available. One thing I did not anticipate with the introduction of the new tool is how motivated the staff would be. When employees see Management investing in the business it makes them feel a sense of pride and that the company cares. This in turn translates to happy customers as staff are excited and in a good mood. This is important as in the hospitality industry specifically, people continue to hold the highest value, at least from the customers’ perspective (Ottenbacher, Gnoth, & Jones, 2006).

Another use of technology I have been exploring investing in is an employee development plan. My company recently invested in an online HR management tool called HR web. One function of this tool is an employee performance tool. While in its infancy, it has the ability to remind Managers to set up regular and ongoing meetings with their staff to coach them on performance. Taking things a step forward I am also exploring technology based options for employee recognition. In the systems I have investigated they allow Management to recognize employees or employees to recognize one another. Management has the ability to set up a points system whereby the employee can redeem for gifts. Many employee recognition software programs allow for companies to include their own gifts or gift cards such as movie theater tickets, restaurants or retail stores. Other gifts can be things such as shadow the company President for a day. Essentially the company can be as creative as it wants.

Another tool I will be implementing this summer to improve employee moral and performance is an employee communications TV which will be accessible in employee lounges. Communications will include announcements on new hires, achievements of employees and group efforts. It will also connect the satellite businesses to the head office and share announcements such as environmental remediation works in our traditional territory as well as company accolades and awards. Ensuring employees are informed about the on goings of the organization ensure employees feel part of the team as well as proud of the corporations values. My ultimate goal is to ensure employees feel valued and are excited about contributing their ideas. Technology has the ability to traverse every aspect of the organization and provide a platform to help people innovate (Bugshan, 2014; Lee, Olson & Trimi, 2012;Zhang et al., 2015)