Minimizing Hotel Staff Turnover Problems with NFC Mobile Key Technology

In the month of November 2021, 1 million hospitality workers quit their jobs. That is a record-breaking number, and it goes to show how hard it is to retain exceptional talent. Especially now that there has been a record number of job vacancies in the workforce to date, people will have more options to look elsewhere for work in which hotels need to stay on top of it to be fully staffed. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a substantial amount of uncertainty into many sectors of the economy, most notably the hospitality industry. Demands for modernization of amenities and technology, contactless customer service, and quality employment retention all tie into the pressure hotel owners face when running their business. PassiveBolt offers NFC mobile key technology that will revolutionize the hospitality industry and turn these problems into a thing of the past.

Challenges Hotel Industries Face

Out of numerous issues concerning the hospitality industry, significant key points were examined in detail. The main problem is how the turnover rate of hotels affects their operations and therefore causes additional issues in other segments of hotel functions. Sections are as follows:

1. Hiring and Retaining Staff
2. Employees Adapting to Changes
3. Modifications after COVID-19
4. Guest Expectations and Demands
5. Changes in Technology

Hiring and Retaining Staff

Being the head of operations in a hotel can be difficult when following all of the practices and rules necessary for training new staff. Hotel owners spend large amounts of time training front desk staff on how to check in guests, how to use their software for different tasks, and a plethora of other responsibilities. All of this hard work goes to waste when employees leave with short notice and the turnover rate then begins to increase. Low employee retention leads to a loss of profit for the business as finances are spent on hiring and training new employees consistently. Moreover, the procedures that should be separate duties such as administrative work, management, font desk check-ins, and maintenance could all become several job duties to one employee at a time. It is inefficient and draining to have this endless cycle repeat itself, particularly now that restrictions are being lifted and people begin to travel for work or personal reasons. There are only so many things that owners can think of to retain employees, but if there is not enough staff, then what? The outcome is an overworked, stressed-out staff that overall affect the service they give in turn to guests.

Employees Adapting to Changes

In addition to the evolving technology world comes ever-evolving skills to learn. There are new apps, new data entry systems, and new processes implemented into hotel operational systems. There are instances in which these systems can take a lot of time to train another employee. The main problem with this is that new employees who already know old processes resist learning new systems. It is difficult for individuals who have been working in the industry for a consecutive amount of time to accept new learning methods and try to understand technological advances that they may have never seen before. It is also worrysome for owners and trainers to hire individuals that refrain from learning new methods because it may be too difficult to understand. Being able to learn how to train future staff that have been working in the industry for a consecutive amount of time is vital to the future guest experience that will be provided by the staff.

Modifications After COVID-19

COVID-19 has changed the outcomes of many business models, school and work schedules, and marketing strategies. Current practices of the use of key cards may be considered unsanitary by guests and can be an easy method for germs to spread. There can be rules placed to sanitize the cards, but either way, there cannot be a 100% chance that proper cleanliness guidelines are being fulfilled. Without the challenge of the pandemic, skipping check-in lines are suggestions that have been in demand but were slow to be adopted.

Guest Expectations and Demands

Hotel owners face many demands from their guests. Searching to cut costs in RFID technology could be a start to accomplishing what guests want. Guests are accustomed to a fast-paced environments that matches their life's busy schedules. It is tough to keep up with the pace of others when hotels are short-staffed and are doing the job of multiple people at once. Bottleneck situations are irritating for everyone, it almost feels like having lanes closed on the highway and being stuck in traffic while only moving a few inches at a time.

Changes in Technology

Technological advancements should be at the top of a hotel owner's priority list if they want to keep up with trends. Dated RFID technology casts a shadow on the technology that a hotel should keep updating. Guests will endlessly be concerned about their safety and will want their information to be kept safe from any possible identity theft. Tying back into the pandemic, technology has advanced perpetually because of it and now we have options like NFC technology that more guests would be interested in as it would offer them the safety they desire.

How Does NFC Mobile Technology Solve These Problems?

The ultimate option that can take care of all the previously mentioned challenges is the NFC mobile keys solution. The reliance placed on phones today is incredible, we can do almost anything with them! They have saved us time with apps that allow food to be delivered to us, deposit checks without having to drive to the bank, and now there are options to never wait in line to check in again. Not to mention, over 75% of travelers consider their smartphones to be their #1 travel accessory. NFC Mobile keys will avoid unnecessary fees as opposed to RFID key cards, relieve stress from not needing as much staff, and keep up with technological advances as well as demands from guests.

Reduction of costs

Spending funds in the correct areas is essential to keep a business up and running efficiently. PassiveBolt provides the initial lock system upgrades and protected mobile keys at no up front cost to the hotel. The hotel acquires the advantage of our services, and the guests receive the benefits of mobile keys. Key cards require often replenishment due to misplacements, damage or other occurences, with NFC mobile keys, this will no longer be an issue for hotel owners and staff.

No Heavy Reliance on Staff

Imagine no longer spending valued time searching for additional employees to fill in vacancies. With NFC mobile keys, there is no need to imagine since this contactless solution will provide ways for guests to skip the line and head straight to their assigned room. The reliance on front desk staff by guests, management and other hotel positions cause them to be bombarded with tasks. The ease the employees would feel after having the NFC mobile keys in place would be beneficial to their operations. This process is completely optional to the hotel's decision-maker. They can ask for additional ID verification to pass any protocols. This solution will still make the process faster as a considerable amount of work would be done before the guest arrives through PassiveBolt's ID verification system.

Keeping up with Technological Advances

Long-term funds invested back into the business will result in better functionality of internal and external hotel procedures. Improved customer interaction is a key matter that leads to successful feedback and reviews. Hotels could add other amenities that they have been waiting to afford so they can lead in the sector of hospitality. It can be challenging for businesses to constantly keep up with the pace of innovation, but NFC technology exceeds as a stepping stone to accomplishing that.