Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008 - (Page 25)

i.e.H.a. investigates (continued from page 15) to ensure consistency and quality. The only way to turn around the public’s negative outlook on hotel cleanliness is by proving the media wrong and making your hotel as clean as it can be. “Unfortunately, the media recently focused on the few hotels that don’t have—or enforce—high standards of housekeeping hygiene or cleanliness. The negative coverage, which has been seen around the world, reported on the improper washing of guestroom glasses. The editorial research was limited to a very few hotels, which did not ascribe to the same impeccable standards demanded by hundreds of quality hotels,” says Baird. “Wouldn’t it be refreshing to have some balanced editorial coverage that told viewers and readers what our various hotels’ housekeepers and room attendants are doing right, and acknowledge the diligence and care they pour into their work each and every day?” The Top Five Concerns for Hotel Housekeeping Departments by Michael Wise, Editorial Intern From pest control to indoor air quality and staff retention to customer service, managing the housekeeping department at any large hotel can be a detailed and complicated operation. While all of the apprehensions are not covered here, the following is a list of the top five concerns among hotel managers: . Customer Service: Patrick Hansen, General Manager of the Westin Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, explains that people are the number one biggest challenge in the hotel business: “It all comes down to how we treat people. If we can make work a comfortable, fun, and enjoyable place to be for all of our 185 employees, then their happiness will rub off on our customers.” 2. Budget: According to Bryan Stewart, Head of Housekeeping at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, keeping department costs down is one of his biggest struggles: “Even though my budget fluctuates from month to month, staffing and productivity are constantly changing, making effective allocation of funds extremely important.” 3. Employee Retention: For Cigdem Duygulu, Executive Housekeeper for the Marriott Hotel in Coral Springs, Florida, locating potential employees is a constant challenge: “In South Florida especially, where living costs are constantly growing, it has become harder and harder to find employees.” Duygulu also cites guest complaints, natural disaster threats, and increased immigration reforms as daily concerns. 4. Safety and Security: Security is another important issue for hotel operators. John Harris, a hotel security consultant with Talley Harris Associates in Atlanta, warns that when budget constraints are placed into effect, security can be one of the first things to go. Harris recommends that travelers take time to examine their potential lodgings and pay careful attention to properties located off interstate highways. 5. Pest Control: Pest removal, especially bed bugs, is also a chief concern for hotel staff. In a poll published late last year by pest control company Orkin, Inc., the resurgence of bed bugs plays a large part when consumers are hotel hunting. More than half (59 percent) of poll respondents said they are more selective when choosing a hotel as a result of the bed bug resurgence. (www.orkincommercial.com/news/ releases/release/release.asp?prid=144) W Publisher’s Comment: “To the valued readers of EHT—This is an article that must be shared with your general managers! Let them read and realize the challenges executive housekeepers face every day!” Sincerely, Beth B. Risinger, CEO/Executive Director. ATTENTION MEMBERS! EARLY RENEWAL PROGRAM The early renewal program is now underway! Members can renew their membership for two to three years at a time. The two-year renewal cost is $265 and you can save even more by renewing for three years at $375. Don’t wait— renew your membership and save money today!! W May 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 25 http://www.orkincommercial.com/news/releases/release/release.asp?prid=144 http://www.orkincommercial.com/news/releases/release/release.asp?prid=144

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008 Contents Executive Corner From Ivory Halls to Four-Star Resorts The Ten-Dollar Test Toward Customer Satisfaction Frugal Housekeeper How Green is Your Laundry Not All Microfiber is Created Equal Feature Article - I.E.H.A. Investigates: Issues in Hotel Housekeeping 2008 Candidate Information IHW Product Information The Green Scene 2008 Convention Information Product Highlights Inside the Industry New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members CEH/REH Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008

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