Sir Richard Branson has enjoyed much success in business having spent over thirty years in The Sunday Times Rich List with a nett personal wealth of £5bn keeping him placed at No 29 in this year’s.
His Virgin Group controls more than 400 companies and the Virgin Brand is recognised and respected across the world. The Virgin business and the Virgin Brand equate to success and as such Sir Richard Branson is one of the most quoted, interviewed and sought speakers in business.
His quotes are used in countless media channels and in instances too numerous to calculate, people value his opinions.
Danny Pecorelli, managing director of Exclusive Hotels & VenuesWe spotted this one in LinkedIn today – “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” Food for thought indeed and one that we think lends itself to the people and skills shortage in our industry.
It also resonates with our recent interview with Danny Pecorelli, managing director of Exclusive Hotels & Venues. In the interview where the subject of retaining staff was covered, this was part of Pecorelli’s view: “If you are investing heavily in them (employees) and training them and looking after them then they can do better for your customers.” A remarkably similar view to Sir Richard Branson’s.
Addressing the people and skills shortages in our industry is much needed.
We report frequently on hospitality and catering businesses that are addressing the people and skills shortages in our industry, sometimes through HR initiatives and others by setting example.
Today for example Hilton was recognised as the second-best place to work in the world by Great Place to Work.
We also in our annual event H&C EXPO bring people together to discuss and debate how best to address the people and skills shortages in our industry.
Our approach can be different and bring people together who would not normally get the opportunity to. Sitting students and industry leaders down together for example, we adopted this approach and enabled those looking to enter our industry talk with some who manage big parts of it.
Peter Ducker FIH, Chief Executive, Institute of Hospitality was one of the industry leaders that took part. In the video below you can hear and see why he thought this much needed event was “unique”.
We would like to report on more similar examples and initiatives from organisations across our industry, if you would like to put one forward for publishing in H&C News and/or discussion at H&C EXPO 2019 please contact Denis Sheehan.