In order to have a competitive advantage over other restaurants, you need to offer high quality goods at the lowest price possible. Supply chain management is necessary to restaurant operators because of this need to minimize product costs and bring order to what too often can be a chaotic business. It is the responsibility of management to ensure that all of the costs of the product life cycle are kept low so the company can offer reduced prices to their customers, resulting in profits. The following are the benefits you can reap by partnering with a strategic supply chain management group focused on cost management.

Food service supply chain management requires identifying the processes that increase cost without increasing the value of the final product. These processes do not add value and should therefore be eliminated.

Resource consumption leads to increased production costs, which is more often than not the result of improper planning. A company that uses supply chain management can achieve efficiency of its operations since only those value adding actions are encouraged. This ensures that the organization’s processes flow smoothly and output keeps inline with the needs of the company.

A company that employs supply chain management can develop stronger close relationships with both its suppliers and customers. You will have better alignment of your needs with your selected suppliers, more options, better pricing and timely completion of orders. A company with a well –stocked variety of popular menu options will deliver on their brand promise to their customers, and will grow as a result.

One of the best ways to increase a company’s profits is by making sure that costs are kept as low as possible. By embracing and applying strategic restaurant supply chain management to your operations, you are able to reduce costs because you are getting rid of wasteful processes. Since these are operating costs for the company, the savings on these costs reflect increased profits for the company.

Food service supply chain management can help you transform a traditional linear supply chain into an adaptive network, providing you with increased visibility into the supply chain so you can sense and respond quickly to changes and quickly capitalize on new opportunities. Moreover, you can lower operational expenses with opportune planning for procurement, manufacturing and transportation. Better product, ordering process, and execution tracking can lead to improvements in performance and quality, resulting in lower costs.

Source1 Purchasing is a leading strategic sourcing group focused on cost management, savings and operational efficiency for the lodging, restaurant and food service industries.

 

Technology impacts every facet of the hotel industry.  Large operators embraced solutions early on.  Today, hotel operations of all sizes can benefit by considering theses three hallmarks:

1.            Social Media to drive reservations and guest satisfactions

2.            Mobile devices to address guest requests on the spot

3.            Integration on the cloud to ensure cross departmental collaboration

While at first these changes seemed a bit daunting, most successful operations have integrated the ideas.  If your operation is new to the three hallmarks, break them into manageable parts.  Consider a college intern for your social media presence.  Invite your department heads to assess the best way to use mobile devises in their departments.  And consider a purchasing expert like Source1 Purchasing to offer procurement solutions that translate to savings of time, resources and money.

Now that hotel operators are embracing technology in the hospitality industry, they are experiencing higher guest satisfaction and profitability. Today’s guests want a highly personalized hotel experience that includes using their personal technology devices during their stay. Chances are they booked a room directly from their smartphone, so it makes sense to use technology tools in rooms and throughout the hotel because guests are familiar with these and use them every day.

Technology is also revolutionizing how hotel operators manage their business. Sales departments have been restructured to strongly focus on social media and e-commerce. Other departments are using updated software to better communicate and quickly meet guest needs.

An article on the Hotel Interactive website addresses technology issues facing the hotel industry today and shares opinions from hotel leaders attending this year’s BITAC Tech and Operations conference.

When attendees were asked if they are leveraging technology to lower operational costs at their hotel, 11.3 percent said “no,” 18.8 percent said “yes” and a whopping 56.3 percent said “yes” but admitted they “could do better.” This suggests that although hotels are embracing technology in the hospitality industry to improve guest satisfaction, they are still looking for efficient ways to manage their hotel business.

One way hotel operators can improve accountability and harness maverick spending is by updating their procurement process. This can become a serious issue for your budget if overlooked. You need to know what you’re receiving, what vendor you’re buying it from and what you’re paying.

Hotel operators are also looking to online ordering for their food-and-beverage programs. Distributors wanting to make the procurement process as simple as possible are embracing this model and are providing the service at no charge to the hotel operator. Operators have at their fingertips new tools for online ordering, monitoring prices by category, identifying quality products and reducing wasteful spending.

Larger multi-unit operators are also tying their purchasing platform into their back office administrative software, which helps create an even more efficient procurement process.

Regain control over your purchasing. Identify products that meet your brand standards and work with a supplier that can consistently deliver high-quality products at a set price. This way you’re able to monitor prices by category. Your hotel’s procurement process can create a cost savings when you analyze your spending and identify ways to leverage it.

Become part of over 5,700 satisfied members to learn how our team of experts with over 20 years of experience in the industry, can serve you and elevate your organization today!

With the recession in the rear-view mirror, now is the time to explore procurement solutions that can help rejuvenate and add value to your hotel.

The transaction volume for 2013 is forecast to reach $18.5 billion, a 5.7 percent increase over 2012 levels, according to an article on the 4Hoteliers website. Analysts have a bullish outlook as the economy continues to improve.

For hotel owners, that means there’s no better time to consider ways to enhance your property and benefit from the projected growth in travel spending.

When considering renovations, look at what provides the highest ROI, adds value and gives you an edge over your competition.

1. Wi Fi  |  A great place to start is by adding Wi-Fi to your property. Hotels with Wi-Fi use it as a selling point and experience high customer satisfaction ratings. Many guests have come to expect Wi-Fi when they stay in a hotel.
2. Business Center   |  Business centers are also great additions for hotels that cater to corporate travelers. They can add value by providing business travelers with a place to print business documents or boarding passes.
3. Restaurant Refresh  |  Renovating restaurant facilities is another key area to focus on. Technology is an integral part of travelers’ lives these days, and they expect to be able to connect wherever they are. Make the dining areas tech-friendly by putting outlets near tables so guests can multitask — charge their phone, check their email, etc. — while they enjoy their meals.
4. Audit Resources  |  Another easy way to add value and cut costs is to comparison shop your phone and Internet plans. Compare service providers and see who’s offering the best plan in your area. Just like consumers, this can also save operators money.

Source1 Purchasing has access to extensive procurement solutions for all of your food and beverage, operating supplies, maintenance and renovation needs. From flooring and fixtures to equipment and supplies, Source1 can help you bring guests the latest comforts and conveniences, and rejuvenate your hotel so that it thrives in the improving economy.

If you are in the hospitality industry, then you know how important it is to offer the right amenities to your guests. Not only are complementary services important, but the types of services and amenities that you offer can make the difference between standing out from the competition and being just another chain hotel.

In today’s post, we’ll take a look at the top 10 things that every hotel must offer if they want to get a competitive edge over other businesses in the hospitality industry. To increase your buying power, make sure to contact Source1 Purchasing and learn what we can do for your business. Our group purchasing organization has what it takes to push your business to the next level. Keep reading to discover how to impress your guests!

1. Visible Boss

No matter what you call your hotel manager — general manager or resident manager — it’s important that they are not only on the premises, but also accessible and available for guests. A manager who spends the day in an office is not going to have the positive impact that you want to make on guests. Make sure that your hotel manager knows that part of their job is to be on the floor greeting guests, creating a “face” for the hotel, and generally finding ways to emphasize the hotel’s commitment to a fabulous experience for guests.

2. Genuine Personality

Your staff needs to be more than just courteous. While good manners and a service-oriented attitude are important, they won’t do much as far as establishing your hotel’s brand. If your goal is to create a persona for your hotel that is friendly, open, and genuinely caring, then it’s important that you communicate this with your entire staff. The more that your staff displays empathy and genuine interest in their interactions with your guests, the more that your hotel will set itself apart from the competition.

3. Easy Check-in and Check-out

Whether your guests have been traveling for the past week on business or are arriving after a tiring day of driving, you want to make sure that the check-in and check-out processes are as streamlined and efficient as possible. The less time that your tired guests spend at the desk, the quicker they will be able to get to their room and unwind. Train your staff to display welcoming body language, smiles, and friendly words. Try to avoid vague greetings such as asking how someone is. Rather, a more specific phrase such as, “It’s nice to have you with us,” will make a deeper impact.

4. Discretion

While most of your guests will probably not be celebrities, that doesn’t mean that they don’t appreciate your attention to their privacy and security. Make sure that your front-desk staff understand the value of using a guest’s name discreetly. Hotel staff should never broadcast a name or room number as this is not only a breach of privacy, but is also a potential security issue.

5. Avoid Assumptions

Sometimes, finding the balance between being proactive and making assumptions can be difficult to find. It’s important that your hotel guests never feel that decisions are being made for them. This is especially important with regular guests as it can be easier to assume that you know what they want. Make sure that guests are always presented with options and allowed to make their own decision.

6. Details

Everyone knows that the details can make or break almost anything, which is why it’s important that you make sure the accents in your hotel are distinctive, tasteful, and when possible, local. The more time and attention you put into the details in your hotel, the more your guests will appreciate spending time in their rooms, the lobby, or the guest lounge during their stay with you.

The more that you can offer detailed services and gifts, the more you set your hotel apart. The best things to keep in mind is that the more refined and local your offerings are, the better. Here are just a few examples of items that show true attention to detail:

• Delicious local truffles
• A fruit bowl with beautiful and edible fruit
• Fresh pet treats for those traveling with a pet
• Fresh floral arrangements made from local flowers and plants

7. Local Knowledge

Room service used to be one of the most important hotel requirements during any guest’s stay. These days, however, your guests are just as likely to expect you to have extensive local knowledge. If they are looking for a community-rich experience, then it’s important that you can share some of the best places and locations for them to visit, as well as dining experiences that are affordably priced.

8. Impeccable Housekeeping

One of the best features of impeccable housekeeping is the ability to be invisible. If your guests are not disturbed by talking, radios, or TVs that are the result of housekeeping taking care of other rooms, then you have successfully overcome one of the biggest hurdles.

One of the cardinal sins that no housekeeper should ever commit is to move items that belong to a guest. While this may create a challenge when it comes to cleaning the room, it’s important that your guests feel that their space is respected. Additionally, it’s important that your staff know where to check when cleaning, and be willing to search beyond the obvious spots.

9. Plentiful Outlets

Depending on when your hotel was built, you may not have a lot of options when it comes to the number of electrical outlets that you can offer to your guests. One easy solution is to purchase charging strips that can plug into the few available outlets in each room. There are two benefits from doing this — electronics are protected from power surges, and you instantly create more outlets, which caters to your guests’ comfort and convenience.

10. Beautiful and Easy-to-Operate Showers 

While hotels can feature some of the most amazing showers, including indoor showers, outdoor showers, showers with multiple showerheads, rainfall showers, and more, they really don’t do any good unless they are easy to operate. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as stepping into a shower only to realize that you can’t figure out how to turn it on or adjust the settings to your comfort level. If your hotel provides showers with complicated features, then make sure to offer directions that are simple and easy to follow.

These are just a few hotel management tips from our team of hospitality professionals. When you choose Source1 Purchasing to be your group purchasing organization, we can provide the buying leverage that you need. Whether you need to source hotel essentials for your guest rooms, kitchen, or offices, we can help. Contact us today to get a free supply chain analysis.

Deciding whether or not to have your staff wear uniforms could be something that you’ve gone back and forth on for a while. Whether or not your staff is currently wearing uniforms, we have some reasons to explain why it’s a good practice to implement and maintain in the hospitality industry.

If your business is looking for the right procurement services company to get the products you need, then be sure to contact Source1 Purchasing to get started. From a free supply-chain analysis to creating a program for your specific needs, we offer buying that you can believe in. Get started today!

Promote a Positive Image

If there is a specific image, color, or logo that represents your brand, then providing uniforms that capture this will help to promote a positive image. The more that your customers see your brand, the more likely they are to develop positive feelings and begin to feel a sense of loyalty. In fact, they may not be aware of how often they are seeing your brand, as many of the details will be recorded by the subconscious. This will benefit you in the long-term when they recall how much they like your business, even if they can’t recall specific reasons why. Simple features and a clean look aid in promoting the positive image that your brand needs.

Help Customers Identify Staff

Whether a customer has walked into your lobby, bar, or restaurant, they are likely going to search for a staff member who can assist them. The easier it is for them to identify your staff, the more it will help provide a better customer experience. Customer satisfaction is key to obtaining their recurring patronage as well as positive word-of-mouth. If your employees don’t wear uniforms, then your customers may be at a loss to identify who can help them, which can lead to feelings of frustration and irritation. Providing a great and consistent customer experience is a major goal of all hotel operators as it will drive repeat visitors and quality reviews.

Improve Customer Service

Help your customers avoid frustration by improving customer service with consistent branding in your uniforms. The more recognizable your staff is, the easier your customers will be able to identify who can help them, which will potentially reduce the time it takes for them to receive service. An additional benefit for you is that when your staff wear uniforms, they are likely to be more conscious of their actions and attitudes whether they are actively serving customers or not. Should you choose to add a name tag to the uniform, you could also create a more personalized experience for your customers.

Health and Safety

There are a number of uniform items that can provide health and safety benefits for your employees. Whether it’s a kitchen uniform that protects employees from the equipment, heat, and chemicals, or non-slip safety shoes, aprons, and gloves, there are a number of items that you can provide your employees when uniforms are a priority at your business. Boost your employees’ morale and loyalty to your company by providing the uniform items they need to be safe and provide ideal customer service.

Boost Confidence in Your Brand

Depending on the atmosphere and experience that you wish to create for your customers, a well-chosen uniform can help to create brand consistency. For example, a traditional chef coat and black pants can convey a professional yet laid-back atmosphere for customers. Black pants paired with a white chef coat or other solid color help to create a more fashionable atmosphere. Boost confidence in your brand by choosing uniforms that elicit the feelings you want your customers to experience and make sure that your uniforms are consistent with your brand. 

If you are in the hospitality industry, then you know that there are a wide variety of items that you need to keep things running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. At Source1 Purchasing, we want to be your go-to procurement service company. From providing you with a free supply-chain analysis to leveraging our purchasing power for your benefit, we are your Top Rated® Local Procurement Solution. Get started today!

Source1 Purchasing, a founding member of the Buyers Edge Platform that focuses on the hospitality industry, moved its employees to the EcoCentre and celebrated its Grand Opening with an Earth Day inspired ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 22, 2019.

If you’ve been in the hospitality industry for any length of time, then you are probably aware that guests who continue to come back do so because of the special treatment they receive from your hotel. While we hope that you are already implementing ways to make your guests feel special, we have a few tips to share with you so that you can expand your repertoire.

At Source1 Purchasing, we are proud to be one of the best procurement services companies for the hospitality industry. Whether you are looking for ways to optimize your supply chain, or expand your purchasing power, we can help. Call today and get a free supply chain analysis.

1. Details make the difference

Not everyone actively notices the details in life, but the details make a difference in your guests’ experience. Whether or not they consciously notice the arrangement of fresh flowers in their room or the concierge who greeted them with a smile, their brain registers these details on a subconscious level, which translates into them feeling special when they visit your hotel. When you take the time to analyze the texture of your linens, the wattage in your light bulbs, or the number of pillows and towels that are provided in the rooms, your guests will be appreciative. These details are what help set your establishment apart from others.

As a procurement outsourcing company, Source1 Purchasing can help you to improve your purchasing power and supply the products that will help to keep your guests coming back for more. Call today to get started!

2. Be selective about which amenities are free

While gifts are a nice idea to make your guests feel special, they’re not a great idea if they aren’t something that your guests actually want.. The key to choosing something that will make them feel special is to look for the amenities that see a lot of use at your hotel. For example, free WiFi, and a hearty breakfast bar could be the two key items that make your guests feel more at home. If your hotel is near the beach, then consider offering free straw hats or beach totes. Remember, the important factor is to not skimp on the quality of the amenities.

3. Accessibility matters

Some of the most common travelers are families with children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. Make sure that your hotel offers accessibility and accommodations for all of the different types of people who will stay with you.

When you give recommendations of places your guests can visit, be sure to include walking times or distances to expect at each location so that they can gauge the appropriateness of the activity for their ability levels.

Be ready to recommend restaurants and entertainment venues that will appeal to all of your guests: senior citizens, families with children, young couples without children, and single adults.

When it comes to your menus, be sure to highlight items that are safe for those guests who have various food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Make sure that your hotel offers plenty of diaper-changing stations in both men’s and women’s restrooms. Depending on the laws of the state your hotels are located in, they may actually be required to offer diaper-changing stations in a certain number of bathrooms.

4. Anticipate needs

One of the ways you can anticipate needs is by engaging with your guests when they check in. Welcome them with a smile, and follow up with a phone call to their room after they’ve checked in. By asking if they have everything they require in their room, you just might find out if there are some needs that you could meet during their visit. Are they visiting to explore some of the great hiking trails? Provide a surprise bag of trail mix with a handwritten note in their room. Are they looking forward to experiencing some of the great local cuisine? Offer a list of your top five personal favorite restaurants.

5. Gather feedback to tailor personal responses

Gathering feedback from your guests is important so that you can identify the areas where your hotel needs to improve, as well as sending a personal response to each guest. Feedback can be obtained by asking guests to complete an online review of your hotel or a survey they can receive via text. To encourage guests to take the time to provide feedback, try offering something they want such as a discount on their next stay. 

When you receive feedback, identify areas that need to be strengthened so that you can make sure your guests are always receiving the very best treatment at your hotels. The more special they feel, the more loyal they will be.

If your hotel needs to make some changes with the types of supplies that you offer your guests, then be sure to visit Source1 Purchasing to see what our procurement service company can do for you. Increase your purchasing power today when you call for a free supply chain analysis.

We at Source1 Purchasing created the Descending Dollar Food Report from your monthly distributor food purchases to provide a sound strategy to leverage your buying power to the max.