At just about a year and a half into the pandemic, most of us probably know a lot more about germs, contagion, and safety measures than we ever thought possible. And while anyone working in the hospitality industry has always prioritized keep guests happy, well-fed, and safe, these days there’s an increased sense of urgency as we realize these are potentially life and death issues now as well.

From staggering check-in and check-out to outfitting staff with panic buttons to expanded disinfection routines, these are some of our greatest takeaways from the pandemic.

 

Guests want to know you’re committed to keeping them safe. It may sound oversimplified, but when traveling for vacation or business, your guests don’t want to have to worry about a thing. They’re staying with you because your property offers them convenience or specific amenities while allowing them to stop constantly fretting about the state of their health or safety. While you rely on guests to follow your property’s rules, they need to know that your property is doing everything possible to keep them as safe as possible. Sometimes that’s something as simple as adding a note on a reservation letting guests know there’s a staggered dining option. Other times it can be presenting them with more exits and entryways to avoid a crush during mealtime or before site-seeing. And if you sense a guest is still uneasy, you can ask them to fill out a feedback form to try to understand how to do better during their next say.

 

Guests want to be apprised of updates in policy. While some resorts or hotels prefer to keep their routines more private, clients now want to know where you stand in terms of everything from cleaning a room to expanded check-in schedules.

 

Guests need to be reassured. If someone decides to travel, they want to know that they’re making the right decision by trusting you with their health and safety. As such, make statements when necessary. If your resort or restaurant is an industry leader, let guests know. Now more than ever is a great time to brag about all the ways you’re dedicated to keeping guests safer than ever.

 

It’s a good idea to have a consistent spot for updates. To help guests feel relaxed and safe, you should update your website and app often to include not only your most recent policies but any changes potentially affecting them. For instance, if you live in a state that passed panic button mandates, you should thoughtfully mention that your team is now equipped with associate alert devices. Many hospitality sites keep a prominent area of their website for all COVID or safety-related announcements.

 

Guests want a go-to person. Where visitors to your hotel or spa might have previously checked in and then gone about their visit, they now want someone to stay connected to throughout. Since announcements are made daily about everything from new variants to locally implemented laws, your clients want to know there’s someone they can talk to about any changes. Unlike the smash TV show The White Lotus, where the staff presented interchangeable roles and personas, guests want to feel as though there’s someone they connect to beyond the polite nods.

 

Guests will follow your lead. As long as you present options that make sense and are clear to have been created with your guests’ safety in mind, you don’t have to apologize or second-guess your choices. If guests seem combative or unwilling to mask up if it’s the law where you are, you can politely and firmly offer them an alternative housing option. Your bottom line is providing a sense of guest safety to the majority of guests.

 

Guests expect you to make an extra effort. If you would rather show and not tell, consider adding visible amenities to your guest rooms. A hand sanitizer pump in all rooms and widely available minis show guests that your commitment to guest safety is authentic and part of your policy.

 

Guests want to see the ways you keep them safer. While in the past having one’s room made up was the extent of a guest’s interaction with the cleaning staff, they now want to be reminded of their presence. Consider assigning one employee to disinfect entranceway touchpoints like banisters or elevator buttons. Consider asking staff to all wear their panic buttons in the same spot, for instance right about their name tag. This is another visual clue that your establishment keeps both employees and guests protected at all times.

 

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

 

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of associate alert devices, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

In 2017, Denmark made history by appointing the world’s first tech ambassador. Since that point, at least a dozen countries have followed suit.

More political tech ambassadors work on outreach to international online allies and creating programs to protect their netizens. They also create paths for people to bridge the gap between online and offline life while safely navigating online spaces. On a corporate level though, tech ambassadors are something else entirely.

Much like influencers who seem to exist to be copied, tech ambassadors are almost like role models for others in their workspace.

 

What does the tech ambassador do?

From testing new products and technology to providing valuable feedback, the tech ambassador will act as the face of technology for your company or property. Your tech ambassadors might also be the ones staffers come to with usage questions, complaints or valuable feedback.

When choosing a tech ambassador it’s important to pick someone who is comfortable behind the scenes and in a group if needed to train team members.

 

The team tech ambassador

Alexandra, an executive admin (who asked that we not share her last name in this story because of corporate privacy issues) is the tech ambassador at her office. When there’s new tech, Alexandra is the rep from her team to gain early access. As such, she tests products for any potential bugs, beta tests for the IT Team and later offers tips and tricks to ease her team into using the new technology.

 

Start with a help desk

If you’re considering implementing your own tech ambassador team, it might be wisest to start at a central point. For instance, is there a tech help desk at your office? If so, who uses it most often and who comes there for help? This will give you a better idea of how to move forward with your program. It will also help you understand how to tweak things as you move forward.

 

Get the word out internally

If you want to recruit people for your tech ambassador team, the first step is to let them know that it exists. Alexandra said the ambassador team at her company was started after significant input from the team. At quarterly meetings of the entire extended team, her boss would check in to see how things were going, opportunities, successes and things they needed to improve. Alexandra said the team was also informed of upcoming tech changes and how to be prepared. And that’s when the tech ambassador team was formed. Alexandra said the tech team ran the gamut from all areas of the corporate ladder and that their input was

“valued and heard.”

If you’re in the beginning stages of the process, now would be a great time to start sending out internal emails to the team inviting them to apply to become part of the tech team. Try to invite a diverse bunch ranging from tech power users to those who barely know how to text.

 

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

 

Solicit as much feedback as possible

Whether you’re in the early stages of setting your staff up with associate alert devices, or are testing new software, it’s important to involve team members in the entire process. After all, your staff will be using the technology, so they’ll have a better idea if something is clumsy or buggy or needs to be updated.

Create a method of collecting feedback and following up if necessary. Consider a reward system is someone’s feedback ends up helping the entire team.

 

Consider creating a tech mentorship program

While your tech ambassadors will only be a few team members, the ultimate goal is to make everyone feel involved. Set aside a specific time each week for open connection with tech ambassadors. Maybe it’s an hour midweek, or free time during the work day. Inform your staff that there are one-on-one training available if needed.

 

Tech ambassador team checklist

Before you begin setting up your tech ambassador team, you should meet with any potentially involved staff to discuss:

• Will the tech ambassadors be paid or rewarded in any way or is this a strictly volunteer position?
• Is this more of a glorified position or will your ambassadors be responsible to produce results? You’ll have to be clear in advance since some staffers might not want the added responsibility if it comes with too much pressure.
• How often will they be expected to test out products? Is it once a year or whenever new technologies are introduced?
• Will they be an internal or external group of ambassadors? Some tech ambassadors are there strictly to support team efforts while others are used in marketing materials. Decide which of these ambassador relationships will best support your plans.
• Privacy issues. If needed, create non-disclosure agreements so that your ambassadors cannot reveal internal workings publicly.
• Titles, perks, etc. Even if your tech ambassadors are not paid for their role, you might want to offer them an additional title or job perk as an enhancement.

 

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of associate alert devices, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.