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Businesses across all industries are feeling the pinch from inflation. Even as inflation slows, however, rising interest rates may be taking a toll on your property. If you’re a hotel manager on the search for ways to relieve the pressure from inflation, hiring temporary hospitality staffing can be an excellent strategy. Our experienced contractors are always an asset, but they’re especially helpful during this time of economic uncertainty. Here are a few of the top benefits of working with temporary contractors at the top of their field: 

Learn From the Best in the Business

Not all contractors bring the same level of knowledge and experience to the table, but our business model is different. We only source upper-level contractors who have a minimum of 10 years experience in their area of expertise (and most of our connections have much more experience than a decade). Because of their wealth of knowledge, hotels are in a unique position to benefit from our contractors’ strategic strength. Whether you need to bring someone in to sharpen your sales department or streamline operations in other areas, chances are that we have someone who can help. 

Prevent Revenue Loss by Filling Gaps in Coverage

Your patrons undoubtedly expect a high level of service and a positive experience. When full-time employees quit without notice or are terminated, the rest of the team is left to pick up the slack. Even planned absences such as maternity leave or medical leave can leave your team in a difficult spot, so having a partnership with a staffing agency is advantageous to prevent loss of revenue (which is especially important in these unusual economic waters). 

Inflation hasn’t been this high since the 1980s, so it’s no surprise that hotels are also feeling the effects of rapidly rising prices, higher interest rates, and discerning consumers. If your goal is to reduce spending while boosting revenue, opting for temporary hospitality staffing can be a savvy financial decision. Since 2003, we’ve dedicated ourselves to forging connections with the best temporary contractors available. We’re proud to source only the finest candidates for management-level positions, and we’d love to help you find the coverage you need. To learn more about our process, please contact our team or submit an RFP. 

Summer is a wonderful time to be in the hospitality industry, as people hit the open road, hop on planes, or take trains to see the world. But just as summer giveth, it also taketh away, particularly in the form of staffing shortages. In fact, summer presents all sorts of difficulties for the average hotel’s workforce, challenges that occur because of the following:

Summer Vacations Reign Supreme

Summer is the most popular time of year to take a vacation; roughly 81% of people travel when school ends and temperatures rise…and this includes people who work for you. Some members of your workforce may prefer to take the summer off (or at least take off a portion of it), leaving you with many positions to fill. 

Your Demand Increases

Hotels flourish in the summer, as sightseers and sun lovers show up in droves. This increased demand is, of course, good for a hotel’s bottom line, but it presents a challenge from a staffing perspective. The more guests you have, the more employees you need. 

Seasonal Positions are Tricky to Fill

Seasonal employment is not for everyone; job seekers looking for long-term careers or considering their long-term finances aren’t likely to jump at the chance to work on such a short-term basis. Fewer interested people mean fewer highly qualified candidates, ultimately making it harder to fill your open positions with those who can go above and beyond.  

Summer Presents a Time Crunch

On average, the hiring process can take around a month to six weeks. While this might be workable during other times of the year, summer causes an issue: there are only three months in the season, so you’re on a ticking clock. This makes the hiring process much more difficult and ups the odds that you’ll hire the wrong person because anyone is better than no one.  

Job Seekers Procrastinate Until the Fall 

Just like people tend to start their diets on “Monday,” they also tend to start their job search in the fall. Because summer allows for travel, play, and fun in the sun, there’s less motivation for potential job seekers to hunker down and get serious about exploring the workforce. This thins out the pool of candidates and makes it more difficult and time-consuming to find the right person. 

Summer shortages are a frequent problem in the hospitality industry. But they don’t have to be!

Hospitality Taskforce provides hotels and hotel management companies with a network of the highest quality, most experienced professionals in the areas of sales, catering, general and culinary management, and operations on a temporary basis. Contact us to learn how we can help your business grow.

If your property is  in need of coverage for a management-level position, you may have already determined that temporary hotel staffing is the best solution. There are many benefits of working with an elite taskforce agency–most importantly, access to highly-skilled contractors who will be an asset to your team. If you’re preparing to reach out to an agency, we share tips to help you navigate the hiring process with confidence and efficiency. 

Form a Relationship With a Taskforce Company

You never know when a connection to a taskforce company will come in handy, so we recommend forging a relationship with a reputable agency. Spend some time researching the best options and talking with the recruiting team so you have a solid idea of what to expect when it’s time to start your search. Even after your contract(s) have ended, consider reaching out periodically to keep an open line of communication. 

Review Contract Terms Carefully 

Before you complete the interview process and finalize your contract, be sure to review all terms with a fine-toothed comb. We understand that time is a finite resource, but it’s disappointing to have a contract fall through after you’ve identified the ideal candidate because the terms aren’t a fit. 

Be Forthcoming About Job Requirements

As a top-tier taskforce company, our goal is to have a detailed understanding of the position so we can connect you with the best contractors for the job. We can only be successful in this endeavor when our clients are upfront about each position and provide as much information as possible. For best results, provide an accurate, up-to-date job description and host at least one thorough phone or Zoom interview. If possible, meet with the team the contractor will be assisting to get an idea of what the day-to-day looks like and the qualities and qualifications of the ideal candidate. 

When you’re working toward the goal of filling a non-permanent position, it helps to have a reputable taskforce company in your corner. Our agency is adept at connecting seasoned contractors with property managers for a wide array of management-level openings. Whether you need temporary hotel staffing for one month, two months, or upwards of three months, we can assist you in finding experienced contractors. As the leader in the hotel taskforce hiring, we pride ourselves in sourcing individuals who thrive in this unique environment and can jump right into the role and be successful. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, please contact us or submit an RFP. 

The hospitality industry is colossal, and demand for high-quality accommodations continues to ramp up. Although more Americans are traveling and indulging in luxury vacations, the worker shortage is persisting. If you’re struggling to hire quality candidates as quickly as you need them, you may be concerned about the toll open positions are taking on your current staff. If you’re feeling the pinch from a lack of workers, you’ll benefit from working with a top-tier temporary hospitality staffing agency. We source only the best independent contractors who are ready and able to step into any hotel management role. Here’s an analysis of how these valuable contractors can improve full-time employee retention at your property: 

Take the Pressure Off Existing Staff

There are currently an estimated 1.5 million job openings in the hospitality industry. That’s a lot of positions to fill, and there simply aren’t enough workers to meet the demand. Despite the additional H-2B temporary foreign worker visas issued for 2023, properties across the nation are struggling to keep up. 

If you’re a hiring manager, you already know how challenging it is to find qualified candidates. When job listings are fruitless for months, the seasoned, full-time staff on your team unfortunately bear the brunt. Preventing burnout is one of the best things you can do for your employees, and ensuring that no one is having to pick up the slack caused by vacant positions goes a long way toward promoting staff well-being. 

Improve Workflow

The work environment plays a significant role in employee outlook (and therefore, retention). The success of your property depends upon finding and keeping top talent, so it’s crucial to foster positive working conditions for your valuable staff. Many hiring managers are familiar with the scenario of hiring short-term workers in an attempt to fill the gap, only to realize that this practice leads to more chaos. New temporary hires who aren’t highly experienced and familiar will require adequate training, which can be impossible when you’re already playing catch up. This can lead to a massively disrupted workflow for the entire team, which is the last thing anyone wants. 

When your goal is to ensure efficiency, bringing on highly experienced contractors is the ideal solution. Our thoroughly-vetted independent contractors have a minimum of 10 years experience in their field and the vast majority have at least 20, so they often have the capability to improve upon existing operations (if desired) and are ready to jump right into the role with just a short briefing on expectations. Additionally, they contribute to a better work environment because they know their foremost priority is to provide unparalleled support to the existing team. 

If you’re tired of pouring from an empty cup, we’re here to help connect you with the best temporary hospitality staffing solutions. We source elite manager level contractors across all hotel departments, and can provide temporary staffing for 30, 60, and 90+ days. When you’re ready to learn more about how it works, we’d love to assist you. Please contact us for a consultation. 

Taskforce contractors are an important component of the hospitality industry. When full-time staff is overwhelmed due to understaffed departments for various reasons, short-term contractors can help support daily hotel functions until the hotel is fully staffed again. Still, that doesn’t mean just anyone fits the bill. The best contractors come with certain characteristics, including the following:

Experience and Qualifications

Taskforce contractors should know the inner hotel workings of their respective department like the back of their hand. They’re educated in the practices that are applicable to their roles and have enough experience to handle even the most difficult situations. They can jump from task to task with ease and shouldn’t need much in the way of guidance before hitting the ground running.  

The Ability to Hit the Ground Running

Stepping into a hotel taskforce role requires someone who has worked in many different circumstances and situations that have enabled them to be resilient, adaptable and flexible.  If you’re hiring a contractor, you’re already short-staffed and you need someone who can hit the ground running and do their job with minimal supervision. After all, hiring someone who needs to be trained and micromanaged kind of defeats the purpose of hiring extra help in the first place. 

Systems Knowledge

Many hotels and positions come with systems knowledge requirements. This varies by hotel chain and property, role, and department, but it’s important, nonetheless. If your hotel relies on a specific system, it’s important to tell the taskforce company from the start so they can find a contractor who meets your needs. There are times when identifying available contractors with specific system knowledge is limited, so we highly recommend you interview those who have some experience with your system but feel comfortable they will pick it back up quickly.  A very adaptable and skilled contractor can prove to be more beneficial than an average one who simply knows your system well.

Dependability

Among the most important qualities in a taskforce contractor is dependability. Hotels often hire outside help during especially hectic times when not only is the hotel busy, but it’s understaffed while searching for full-time employees (which can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to fill). This means a commitment and flexibility for extensions from the contractor is highly important. Having to find temporary help for your temporary help only ends in frustration. 

The Right Fit

Be sure to have a phone or video interview with potential contractors to get a feel for their personality and rapport with your team. At the end of the day, there’s a lot to be said for chemistry. Someone can look great on paper and know your system, but may simply not be the best fit for your particular team at that time. Always work with a taskforce company that understands this and will work with you to place the right person (and possibly replace them if needed). 

Hiring a taskforce contractor can be a game-changer when your workload increases or your staff burns out. But not all contractors provide the same level of satisfaction. This list is a great foundation to help you find the perfect person for the short-term job. 

Hospitality Taskforce provides hotels and hotel management companies with a network of the highest quality, most experienced professionals in the areas of sales, catering, general and culinary management, and operations on a temporary basis. Contact us to learn how we can help your business grow.

As people seek work-life balance and pursue their passions, the number of independent contractors has skyrocketed (in the hospitality industry and everywhere else). While independent contractors aren’t required to form LLCs, there are many advantages to doing so. LLCs are easy and affordable and can save you money in the long run. Here’s what you need to know:

What is an LLC?

A limited liability company (LLC) is a type of business structure that essentially keeps your business separate from your personal life. As the name implies, it limits your liability by protecting you from personal responsibility when it comes to business debt and consequences. 

LLCs aren’t quite corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships; rather, they’re a mix of all three.

How do you form an LLC?

To start an LLC, you need to first choose a name (which must include some version of the “LLC” term) and name a registered agent (your LLC’s point of contact). You must then register your LLC with the secretary of state and get an employee identification number (EIN), which is required to open a bank account, file taxes, and hire workers. You should file an operating agreement, as well, although this may or may not be required depending on where you live. 

If you don’t want to form an LLC on your own, there are several online services that can do the work for you. 

Reasons to form an LLC

As mentioned above, the biggest reason to form an LLC comes down to personal protection. If you run a sole proprietorship or are part of a partnership, you and your business are legally viewed as one and the same. In other words, your personal debts merge with your business debts. If you’re sued by a customer or employee, your personal assets will be at risk, as well.

An LLC takes care of this problem by separating you (and your personal assets and personal finances) from the company you run. With an LLC, your home or personal checking account can’t be used to collect debts or pay lawsuits.

Corporations offer this sort of protection, as well, but with more requirements. For example, they must follow rigid rules, pay annual fees, host shareholder meetings, file yearly reports, and abide by strict record-keeping requirements. The rules for LLCs tend to be much more lenient.

LLCs are also privy to several tax advantages, including “pass-through” taxation,  which can lower a company’s tax burden and keep money in their pockets rather than Uncle Sam’s. 

LLCs offer ownership flexibility, too, without restrictions on the number or types of owners allowed, and no formal structure dictating management. Furthermore, LLCs enjoy flexibility when it comes to profit distributions. For example, if three people have equal ownership in an LLC, the profits can be distributed in whichever way the owners agree. 

Overall, there are numerous reasons to form an LLC as an independent contractor. At Hospitality Taskforce, we typically recommend that our independent consultants set up some sort of entity to better protect themselves. We advise you to consult with your CPA first, as we are not tax consultants or experts.

Hospitality Taskforce provides hotels and hotel management companies with a network of the highest quality, most experienced professionals in the areas of sales, catering, general and culinary management, and operations on a temporary basis. Contact us to learn how we can help your business grow.

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for the hospitality industry with the pandemic putting the kibosh on trips to Kaui and canceling Caribbean getaways. But with the world on the rebound, a lot of exciting things are coming down the pike in 2023, including the following:

Full Recovery for the Lodging Market 

The lodging market is expected to recover fully next year, which means it’s time to staff up! The CBRE forecast predicts an increase in demand and revenue per available room (RevPAR) in 2023. This optimism is due to slowed construction activity, a high employment rate, and robust economic growth. 

Hotel Prices and Airfare Expected to Rise

As many travelers have already experienced, airfare prices have skyrocketed due, in part, to the cost of fuel. But a return to travel, a pilot shortage, and flight cancellations have all increased demand, increasing ticket prices in the process. On the lodging front, hotel prices will increase as well, although this will differ based on the destination. 

Of course, this won’t be limited to those traveling for pleasure; business travelers are expected to see airfares rise by 8.4%, hotel rates by 8.2%, and car rentals by 6.8%. 

Meeting and Groups Set to Make Up for Lost Time 

In 2022, the cost-per-attendee for meetings and events was around 25% higher than in 2019. In 2023, the cost is expected to increase by another 7%. Part of the increase is due to pandemic-canceled meetings picking back up and events rescheduled from years earlier taking place. All of this will lead to shorter lead times and the need for quicker responses from management.

With these projections, the hospitality industry will be in greater need of staff members, managers, and other personnel than ever before. And we can help! Hospitality Taskforce provides hotels and hotel management companies with a network of the highest quality, most experienced professionals in the areas of sales, catering, general and culinary management and operations on a temporary basis. Contact us to learn how we can help your business grow.

 Photo by Vojtech Bruzek on Unsplash

Things have changed over the last two years. Most of us will never again go to a movie, get on an elevator, or travel by plane without images of COVID germs swirling around us.  Work-related travel has yet to find its normal post-2020. As corporate travel settles into a cadence, a few trends have emerged. Here’s a look at them and what they mean for business travelers in 2023 and beyond. 

Leaner Corporate Travel Budgets

As in-person correspondence became a cause for worry, companies canceled sales meetings, conferences, and other events. Business travel was down to emergencies only. And now that in-person meetings are making a comeback, conference-goers happily return to the public arena, and company travel budgets have yet to catch up to a renewed desire for travel. Travel budget cuts were so dramatic, a Deloitte Insights survey revealed, that most US companies decreased their travel expenses by 90% in 2020. Budgets are rebounding at a snail’s pace as corporate offices slowly reopen. A large percentage of business travelers are still hesitant to book that flight.

Remote Work Has Changed Everything 

As employees traded business suits and computer bags for slippers and home office desks, remote work evolved from a temporary necessity into a fresh perspective on workforce productivity. The technology that allows employees to work from home also provides an alternative to in-person sales meetings. Business travel evolving with technological options is another factor influencing corporate budgets and the need to book that business trip. 

Increase In Blended Travel 

Bleisure, referring to mixing business with leisure, isn’t new. Also called blended travel, travelers often extend a business trip to enjoy personal time off (PTO). Interestingly, post-2020, the number of bleisure or blended travelers is on the rise. The reasoning behind the trend points to flying out for business and adding a few days to make up for that canceled vacation in 2020; a few days on the beach justify taking the risk of flying somewhere for a meeting. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts released the results of a survey that highlighted the bleisure mindset. Close to 36% of travelers would extend a future business trip an average of two or three more leisure days; they felt more comfortable combining a holiday with a business trip. 

Work trips are slowly returning to normal. How long it takes and whether business travel will ever be the same is still being determined. Remote work has changed the corporate landscape and business trips along with it. Companies will need to increase their travel budgets, and travelers will need to find that pre-2020 enthusiasm for business trips, changing their slippers for something more business-like. The hospitality industry is watching hotel stay patterns to stay abreast of the trends. Contact Hospitality Taskforce if your hospitality staffing needs are changing.

Market research suggests that AI in the hospitality industry will grow by 10% over the next four years. This is on par with AI as a whole. Regardless of the industry, betting on artificial intelligence is a smart move. 

But what exactly does this look like? Automated room reservations? Robot bellhops? Self-making beds? An ice machine that can recommend the best restaurants in town?

Maybe. When it comes to AI, the possibilities are nearly limitless. That’s why the team at Hospitality Taskforce is staying ahead of all the latest technology before it makes its way to our industry. AI may be most likely to make an impact in the following areas:

Robotic Room Service

If you like a little machine with your Denver omelet, you might be in luck: robotic room service is a thing! Companies, such as Savioke, already sell service robots while continuing to update and perfect their product. And some hotels, such as the Residence Inn Marriott at LAX, already use them. 

Chatbots

Chatbots are fairly common and have increased in popularity dramatically since the COVID pandemic. While they can frustrate users with complicated questions, they’re largely helpful for those who don’t want to wait in a queue for a human, who have straightforward concerns, and who have questions during non-business hours. 

Analytics

When it comes to business (and anything else), knowledge is power. Analytics allow companies access to important data that empowers them with insight into present and future customers. AI has been used to help hotels sort through customer surveys and online reviews to show them where they thrive and where they need to improve. 

In-Room Perks

AI technology can give guests the opportunity to change rooms if they’re unsatisfied. It can also allow them to follow maintenance and house cleaning schedules, control room temperature, request shuttles or concierge services, and use a smart mirror to brush up on the news while they’re brushing their teeth. 

Virtual Reality

A picture might paint a thousand words, but virtual reality paints even more, which makes it an important marketing tool for any company trying to show customers exactly what they can offer. For places like hotels, VR systems allow potential visitors to experience what the rooms look like, explore the perks, and get a feel for the pool, gym, restaurant, and more. 

We might not be on par with The Jetsons just yet, but the future is coming, in more ways than one. AI integration in the hospitality industry offers convenience for customers while saving employees more time to focus on client relationships. It helps assure an enjoyable experience, giving people a reason to come back for more. 

Hospitality Taskforce provides hotels and hotel management companies with a network of the highest quality, most experienced professionals in the areas of sales, catering, general management, and operations on a temporary basis. Contact us to learn how we can help your business grow.