Stuart Hills

We're kicking off 2025 with a new episode of Careers Unwrapped. And as always it's hosted by our CEO Mark Fawcett, and this week is joined by Kelly Johnstone, Chief Operations Officer at Springboard. Join them as they bust some myths about careers in hospitality, the diverse roles and opportunities in the industry and how following her passion led to success.   🎧Listen to this week's podcast via the links in the comments if you want to👇   💭 Learn how jobs in hospitality are evolving. 💭 Explore the impact of technology in the industry. 💭 Know if the hospitality industry is for you?    #Podcast #Careers #Development #CareerAdvice #CareerDevelopment #Skills #Hospitality

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Hospitality Business in the UK facing challenging times. Operating costs have surged by 55.2%, leading to a call for increased government support by industry groups. The rising cost of living within the sector, driven by escalations in raw materials, energy, staff salaries, and rent, is amplifying prepared food and drink costs, impacting consumer confidence and posing additional challenges for businesses. Staff shortages persist as a significant issue, hampering operations in the hospitality industry. The lack of adequate training resources further compounds the challenges faced by businesses within the sector. It's been observed that some leaders of Hospitality Businesses in the UK employ unqualified management teams due to lower salary expectations, not realizing the impact on the business will be much more cost-effective in the long run. How is in your area? #HospitalityIndustry #UKBusiness #OperatingCosts #StaffShortages #TrainingChallenges

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For 2025 | wish all hospitality employees to be treated as people, not as numbers. For companies to make a healthy profit, it's been too many challenging years in a row. For the government to start taking the hospitality industry seriously and with the attention, support and respect it deserves. For consumers not having to save on every penny and cut down on going out. People working full-time jobs, shouldn't be struggling to survive. For organisations to eliminate hiring biases, ageism and to stop being so uptight about which countries their employees should come from. For employers to understand that working long hours have a huge impact on mental health. For the candidates to remember that careers rarely are linear and that it sometimes takes a step back to make two steps forward. For employers to realise that the word "life" is in the "work-life balance" expression for a reason, not for decoration. For anyone struggling with their career to remember this Japanese proverb - Fall seven times, stand up eight. For employers to realise that paying minimum wage, offering 28 days of holidays and 33% discount on food is what makes it hard to hire. It's not people that "don't want to work anymore". And for myself... to take it easy. To remember that building things takes time and to not be too hard on myself. With love, P.

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In today's competitive hospitality market, attracting top talent is more challenging than ever. We've gathered insights from industry leaders to help you stand out and leverage growing candidate interest. Here’s how you can attract top talent in the hospitality industry: 1️⃣ Flexibility is Key: Highlight the adaptable schedules and diverse contract types your business offers. Rachael Cosgrove from NoMad emphasises that this is crucial for today’s workforce. 2️⃣ Invest in Career Development: Promote clear paths for growth in your job adverts. Mike Phillips from Nightcap says nurturing raw talent is key to finding future stars. 3️⃣ Offer Competitive Pay: Only 17% of people think hospitality roles are well-paid. James Walton from San Carlo stresses the importance of offering fair, competitive packages. Stay ahead of the competition by focusing on what candidates value most! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eFarSsTz #HospitalityJobs #Recruitment #CareerGrowth #FlexibleWork #EmployeeBenefits

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Curious what others in hospitality are earning, but don’t want to ask? 🫢 With SmartMatch, you can finally get the answers. Search by location and job title to see real-time salary insights to find out what you could be making. SmartMatch your salary 👉 https://okt.to/x9cIKS

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Creating a Trust-First Environment In hospitality, a thriving environment starts with respect and trust. Your team is everything—nurture their potential, and watch them flourish. 🌱 🔑 Top Tip: Implement regular, open feedback sessions where team members can share their thoughts in a safe space. It builds trust and shows that you truly value their voice. #Leadership #TeamTrust #HospitalitySuccess #WHYHospitality

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Personal touch - Attracting the right workforce. Where have we gone wrong? In the UK hospitality industry, we often focus on creating excellent guest experiences yet sometimes fall short of delivering the same quality of experience for our employees and colleagues. The industry cannot thrive on guest satisfaction alone. To sustain excellence in guest service, employers must also prioritise creating positive, enriching experiences for their teams. This means investing in well-being, growth opportunities, and a culture that makes employees feel as valued as the guests they serve. When employees are supported, happy, and engaged, they bring their best selves to work, which translates into better service, happier guests, and ultimately, stronger business outcomes. I once worked for an operator who expressed that neither money, food, drink, nor even the guests were the top priority—it was his people. He said, “If I see smiles on my team’s faces, everything else falls into place.” When employees feel respected and appreciated, the positive energy flows to the guests, creating a seamless, welcoming atmosphere. Consider the small but meaningful gestures we do for guests—like remembering birthdays or personalising meals. How often do we extend these same courtesies to our employees? When was the last time we celebrated a team member’s birthday or served our staff a meal with the same care we put into our guests' food? We’re trained to go the extra mile for our guests, but sometimes we overlook opportunities to do the same for our teams. Creating a work environment that values inclusivity, personal connection, and support fosters a sense of family and belonging among employees. This emotional connection encourages loyalty and commitment, resulting in a workforce that is not only motivated but genuinely invested in delivering outstanding service. By nurturing both guest and employee experiences with equal care, the hospitality industry can rebuild a culture of mutual respect and engagement, creating a positive cycle that benefits everyone involved.

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Ever noticed how some of the best hospitality professionals don’t just have skills—they have a certain spark? I’ve come to see that beyond technical abilities, the real magic often lies in qualities like adaptability, empathy, and a proactive mindset. In an industry where no two days are the same, it’s those qualities that help teams not just survive but thrive, even on the busiest days. What traits have you found to be game-changers in your team? #HospitalityLife #BuildingTeams #LeadershipInsights

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Resilient Flexibility: In hospitality, things can change faster than you can say "room service!" 🚀 Embrace the chaos and see unexpected challenges as opportunities to shine. Top Tip: When things go awry, take a breath, smile, and roll with it. It’s an adventure! #ResilientFlexibility #Adaptability

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Day 2 of The 12 Days of Hospitality Team Engagement: Digital Suggestion Boxes. Create a platform for anonymous feedback! Set up digital suggestion boxes using QR codes linked to a database in back of house areas. Encourage team members to submit their ideas either anonymously or by including their name but all without fear of judgment. You might be surprised by the creativity that emerges! 📢 How do you collect team feedback? Let us know your favourite method! #HospitalityLeadership #ContinuousImprovement #AgilityHospitality

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Recruiting is difficult... IF you don't truly care about people, building teams, and creating a positive experience for staff as much as for guests. But when we approach recruitment with genuine care and dedication, it becomes so much more than just filling roles. It turns into a journey to build a community within our organization, where every team member feels valued and supported. This mindset shift really transforms the recruitment process into a powerful tool for long-term success, fostering a culture that keeps talent and enhances guest satisfaction. I’d love to hear your experiences—how has this approach impacted your hiring outcomes? #RecruitmentWithPurpose #HospitalityLeadership #TeamCulture

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