Episode 30 outlines steps to take to save on energy costs in every department and how to communicate the responsibility to every dept. leader.  

First Time Leader Podcast

Episode 30 - Energy Conservation

In this episode I discuss how to complete an incident report after someone has been injured or the occurrence of another type of loss.  A generic version of the Incident Reporting Procedures can be obtained by writing to me at firsttimeleader@gmail.com.  All of my podcast episodes can be found at https://firsttimeleader.libsyn.com  

Episode 29 - Guest Incident Reporting

In this episode I talk about Profit Ratios covers Departmental Profit, Gross Operating Profit or GOP, EBITDA, A profit is earned when enough revenue is earned to cover ALL expenses. This is done by managing your productivity ratios and expenses mentioned earlier. All of the episodes can be found at https://firsttimeleader.libsyn.com

Episode 28 - Profit Ratios and the Financial Statement

In this episode I talk about productivity ratios and how using this method of analyzing your financial statement will in driving success in your business. In the hotel business – your resources are your ROOMS and your PEOPLE to drive success All of my episodes can be found at http://firsttimeleader.libsyn.com 

Episode 27 - Productivity Rations and the Financial Statement

In this episode I give a quick overview of the Financial Statement, also known as you Profit and Loss statement or Income Statement. I review the Summary page and detail pages down the GOP line.   Most General Manager are responsible for topline revenues all the way down to the GOP line. Rarely do you have any responsibility below that line. You may see these numbers on the P&L but the majority are fixed costs that never change except for FFE Reserve and Management Fees IT WILL HELP IF YOU HAVE A P&L IN FRONT OF YOU TO HELP YOU GET A VISUAL OF WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT. DEPENDING ON YOUR COMPANIES P&L FORMAT IT MAY SEEM DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I AM EXPLAINING.    A P&L OVERVIEW On the summery page of the P&L, you may see MTD and YTD totals column presented as a dollar amount, as a percent of gross sales or gross revenues Sometimes it will also have a per occupied cost as well. On the detail pages that are broken down by department, the ratio most commonly used is CPOR or…… Cost Per Occupied Room                 You can benchmark your current P&L against the approved budget to see how well you did with revenues and expenses to GOP but I’m not going to talk about BENCHMARKING today but that will be explained in another episode.

Episode 26 - Financial Statement Quick Overview

In this episode I discuss how to prepare and conduct an interview and the need for a Competency Profile for each position.  Conducting an Interview The first thing to consider is your LONG TERM STRATEGY What will this do and how will they help you reach your long term strategies Sales and marketing Front desk Department management   PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW   Understanding the topics you can’t ask a candidate – Race, Color, or National Origin.   Sex, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation. Pregnancy status.   Age or Genetic Information.   Marital Status or Number of Children.   Create a POSITION COMPETENCIE profile  -  What do you want from this position Leadership/Individual Effectiveness Personal Commitment Leadership Control Flexibility Interpersonal Effectiveness Decision making Satisfaction Orientation Teamwork Guest Focus Quality Focus People Management Developing Others Directing Work Functional Knowledge Job knowledge Industry Knowledge     Make a list of questions you want to ask each candidate so you are consistent to use as a guide to follow   Ask open ended questions to get the candidate talking and HAVE at least two follow-up questions Drill down on focus areas that pertain to the position you are interviewing for like problem resolution and guest interactions, groups or corporate sales I always made it a point to watch the candidate from a distance to see how they interacted with staff. Also, I talked to the person that greeted them first to get their opinion on first interactions, personality and conversation. Also my first impression as I greeted the candidate was very important based on handshake, pleasant greetings, tone of voice and smile. Always use an ice breaker to put the candidate at ease. This will let their ability to have a conversation come out. As you progress through your list of questions, watch out for the candidates demeanor to see if it diminishes as time passes to stays consistent. This will be a tell tell sign the candidate doesn’t have a consistent personality. At the end of the interview, make time for the candidate to ask questions about the company, position, pay, benefits etc. I always told them to email me if they had any additional questions after they left. A good habit to get into is – have multiple people interview the final candidates, this will – Allow a different perspective Help you make the critical decision for who to hire Will let you compare notes about a certain candidate AS a GM, if all interviewers didn’t agree on a candidate, they didn’t get hired. It had to be unanimous.  Please follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and send us any questions or comments you my have to Firsttimeleader@gmail.com.  

Episode 25 - Conducting and Interview

This episode gives a detailed explanation on how to conduct a hotel room inspection, everything a new hotel leader must be able to do to ensure quality and consistent cleanliness in their hotel. 

Episode 24 - Conducting Hotel Room Inspections

In this episode I discuss the importance of conducting a new hire orientation in our department as a new leader. This checklist will inform new employees of the policies in their new work place and hopefully avoid embarrassing situations.  Below are a few examples I talk about that should be included in you checklist.  Department policies Employee dress codes Employee code of conduct Attendance, day off request and vacation policy Training activities Co-worker introductions 1st day and 1st week follow-up Department Goals Please send me any questions to firsttimeleader@gmail.com and please subscribe to the First Time Leader podcast so you know when new episodes are released.    

Department Orientation for New Employees

In this episode I talk about how to have a successful meeting and the steps to take in creating the information you need to be successful. 

Episode 22 - Conducting a Successful Meeting

In this episode I talk about the steps to counseling employees on performance issues and getting the ideas and asking for their help in developing action steps that will lead to a successful resolution. 

Episode 21 - Counseling You Employees

I this episode I talk about the power of coaching your employees. Whether they are great employees looking for growth and development or poor performing employee that need direction and training. 

Episode 20 - Leadership and Coaching

 A Good Communicator Written, verbal and body language No matter what method, it must be clear and concise You must be able to communicate to be an effective leader Your words and tone of voice can motivate people, to the point of doing great things. A strong work ethic (Integrity) Your team will look for you to support and lead them at all times. When you employees see you jump in and help them during busy times, you gain respect and commitment from them. If your employee sense you are not fully committed, they will not follow you. Your actions will INSPIRE others to work even harder Empathy and Humility Great leaders have an EMPATHETEC management style They care about their employees more than themselves and are not afraid to show it Talking to them about their problems (work or personal), understanding their pain or frustration. BE AN EAR TO LISTEN TO YOUR EMPLOYEES Allow them to have additional time off without penalty Delegation and Empowerment Every good leader know they cannot be successful alone They must focus on the bigger picture, and let others do the rest A good leader will delegate work to subordinates to develop them Provide them with support and gives positive, constructive feedback Allow them to make mistakes Holds Their Team Accountable It creates a stronger team from many individuals Employees must know where you stand on standards and performance Provides for better contribution Team will understand any consequences for poor work quality 

Episode 19 - Top 5 Qualities of a New Leader

I talk about leaving the US Navy and deciding on a new career path which led me to the hotel industry and my first leadership job in management. 

Episode 18 - My First Leadership Position

This episode talks about how leaders must step up and lead our teams into a new era of cleaning and disinfecting our workplaces to make guests and customers feel sage to shop and travel again. We're all in this together, and together, we will succeed!

Episode 17 - Leading through the Covid-19 Crisis

In this episode I answer questions from listeners about employees enating to move up and not taking ownership of their development, not adhering to the company dress code and should leaders admit to making mistakes. Follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter at First Time Leader or email me at firsttimeleaader@gmail.com  

Episode 16 - Q&A for January

Helping new managers who are First Time Leaders learn and understand the importance of good leadership through down to earth, straight forward talk. I explain what they should and should not do as a leader and how to inspire, motivate and develop your teams to be winners. Please Subscribe to be notified of future episodes!

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First Time Leader Podcast

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