why investment in people should start way before day one.

Incredible hospitality experiences are delivered by outstanding teams, those you see and many you don’t, operating at the highest level. And these teams don’t form by accident; they have been thoughtfully put together.

Building teams and mindfully hiring into them is the behaviour of a commercially astute business, because your people are likely to be your single biggest cost, and they’ll have a more significant impact on business outcome than any other factor. They are your greatest asset.

careful curation of teams has never been more important.

This year has brought fresh challenges for the sector, as anyone who works within it knows. Workforce costs have risen sharply, legislation is changing operations, and team turnover remains a persistent issue.

At the same time, guests expect more for their spend, and loyalty is hard won. That’s why it’s so important to build hospitality businesses where teams are engaged, skilled, creative, and aligned with your brand and culture.

culture starts before day one.

We often think of employment as beginning when someone walks through the door on their first day. But by then, the tone’s already been set. The way someone is recruited, the questions they are asked, how they are heard, and the way they’re treated by the recruiter; this all shapes how your chosen hires feel about your business.

So, your hiring process has a huge impact on your culture. Consideration of the character, values, potential and ambitions of your hires (alongside their skills and experience) will feed your culture and drive delivery. The attitude you take towards people in the hiring process will be the attitude they reflect into your business.

Ultimately, your hiring process has a direct impact on your bottom line, through your retention rates, your engagement levels, reputation and guest experience. So investing in an expert recruiter is a commercially sensible decision.

speed with substance.

Everyone wants open roles ‘filled asap’ but in hospitality, where every team member plays a visible and vital role in the guest experience, speed alone isn’t enough. What matters is who you bring in and what they bring with them.

If you’re building exceptional teams, then each hire needs to be made with that in mind, through thoughtful, informed, and intentional hiring.

That’s why investing in a recruiter who understands your business (not just your brief) is so important. Someone who takes the time to get to know your culture, your goals, and your brand and can assess candidates to find you the most suitable people.

When you invest in recruiter expertise, you’re not outsourcing a task. You’re partnering with someone who can help you build the kind of teams that drive performance and growth. You’re investing in and protecting your most valuable asset.