How would you like to make 2010 the year that you finally smash through your targets to create the business you really want?

Whether you own or run a hotel, conference centre, spa or restaurant there are times when you worry about retaining existing business and maintaining or improving profitability.

Imagine having a fresh pair of eyes; someone with whom to talk though your ideas, and give you some structure to what you need to do next.

If you want to learn how you can move forward to sustain the profitability of your hospitality business you’ve come to the right place.

We provide coaching and mentoring support in four key areas

  • Strategy & Business Planning
  • Marketing
  • Operations & Customer Service
  • People Development

We can help you build clarity around what you want to achieve for your business. Our approach is to build on what you already know, rather than stating the obvious. That’s why every programme is tailor made to suit your business and your needs.

With our help you determine your goals, identify any barriers standing in the way, and analyse what’s working and what’s not, drawing on your wealth of experience and skills.

We then focus on specific areas to achieve these goals. This may start with laying out your long-term strategy. This may not seem a priority if all around you is chaos, but what this will allow is a focus for all your future decisions and actions.

And because everything we do is focused on your needs and vision, when it comes to taking action you are both empowered and motivated.

How to break the habits that are holding you back to create the profitable hospitality business you want

How does coaching and mentoring make a difference?

If you have ever worked with a personal trainer you’ll know how much more effective it is than trying to get fit without anyone to cheer you on. Having someone there to help you focus and push you onto success is so much more enjoyable than slogging it out alone.

And don’t forget this – it is this support and encouragement that gets results.

Working with a business coach is similarly results orientated, inspiring you to identify and accomplish your goals far more quickly than you ever could on your own.

Here are just a few examples of when coaching and mentoring can really make a difference:

  • Establishing long-term goals and direction for your business, helping you establish your exit strategy
  • Finding ways to get back a better work-life balance, instead of having to feel as if your business is controlling your life
  • Establishing systems and processes for your hotel or restaurant, which enable a smoother running and more cost effective and consistent operation, even when you’re not there.
  • Dealing with difficult people or relationships to ensure you get what you want without undermining yours or their position
  • Gaining motivation and enthusiasm – whether from you or your team – for those all important tasks that you’re consistently putting off despite the fact you recognise their value
  • Helping you take a step back and re-focus when you are feeling overwhelmed by your business, so you focus your efforts into the things that really matter and get results
  • Building your confidence and gaining support to deal with new or challenging situations so you are motivated to take action
  • Having a sounding board for your ideas and be able to discuss them in confidence so you can test and refine them before going live
  • Getting expert advice on what needs to happen to get your hotel or restaurant business back on top form and running smoothly, so you’re free to concentrate on working on your business rather than being wrapped up in the day-to-day
  • Gain the tools and knowledge to run your business effectively, efficiently and profitably giving you a clear advantage over your competitors

And that’s just the beginning. Because you are involved in identifying what needs to be done you are in a stronger position to continue to develop your business beyond the time we spend working together. This means coaching can help you achieve more in less time, because you’ll focus on prioritising your time to work specifically on goals that matter to you and the business.

How are the coaching and mentoring programs structured?

What we work on and how it is structured is entirely up to you and your objectives.

I work with clients in a number of different ways:

Online programmes

I will be launching my new online leadership coaching programme in September 2010. If you are interested in being involved at the lauch stage (with some considerable bonuses included for early subscribers) please register your interest here

By phone

Phone coaching is very effective for leadership skills, and I am currently working with a number of senior managers by phone. We schedule calls at a time to suit you, normally for 40 – 60 minute sessions. Most of my clients who I work with by phone tell me they like this method of coaching as there are few distractions and it is more focused. And the beauty of it is it allows more flexibility.

Face to face on site

This may be necessary for the initial session to get a feel for your business, particularly if you need help with operational issues. Inevitable it requires a bigger time commitment (for both of us). However sometimes we find that we only need to meet once or twice initially and maybe at the end, and conduct other sessions by phone.

A typical face to face programme might look like this:

Initially we will visit you on-site to get a feel for your business and to discuss in greater detail what you were looking to achieve, and what level of input you feel you need.

We can then discuss what type of program would best suit your needs and draw up a recommended programme. This initial consultation is free of charge (within Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hampshire) and without any obligation to you.

Unlocking the true potential of your business

If you are looking for advice and mentoring in a specific area we will pair you up with the most appropriate associate and you will continue to work on your plan together.

Some clients prefer to start with some initial coaching sessions to help set goals, focus and prioritise, and then work with a mentor in implementing some of their ideas.

Either way in your first full session, we concentrate on establishing your goals in more detail and how you will measure success. We will identify contributing factors and pinpoint and prioritise areas of focus.

How long we work together will be up to you – your ambitions, and how much effort you want to put into making your business truly successful.

For coaching to be really successful it is best seen as an on going process – initially over 4 -5 months, then as a series of sessions which will all add up to your continued improvement in both your business and personal life.

During the coaching and mentoring process we will create a step-by-step plan to achieve your goals; this will include some daily actions and will also focus on you developing new habits to help you sustain your success. It’s important you understand what you are required to achieve – there will be suggestions made either by you or your coach/mentor and you will be held accountable to take some action. Your responsibility will be to take the actions you’ve agreed and your level of commitment will determine your results. You can rely on our full support in achieving this; encouraging you and helping you apply your strengths to achieve results.

How frequently we meet will be determined by your timetable. There will be occasions when we need to visit you on-site but when this is not essential you may prefer to work together by telephone, which is a more flexible and cost-effective option.

Do you struggle to gain staff buy in, or ever feel you are having to make decisions they are paid to make?

There’s more to this. Not only is coaching powerful for your own development as general manager or the owner of the business, it can be equally effective to develop your team. Just think if you apply these same principles to your staff. What better way is there to get them working more effectively and gain their buy in?

Coaching with your team can be effective when you want:

  • To gain their buy in to changes
  • To encourage them to use their initiative, and take ownership for solving problems.
  • To enable them to use their experience to come up with new ideas
  • To build their confidence in their own ability
  • To develop their potential.

Management coaching can support other management training, or can be used as a stand-alone development activity. Whichever way it is used it’s an extremely powerful development tool for you or your team.

Are you ready to take some action to get your business on track right now?

This is what to do next

Give me a call on 01403 752487 or 07887 540914 or drop me an e-mail at caroline@zealcoaching.com and we can discuss what you need and take it from there.

Here’s the important bit – nothing will ever happen unless you take some action today.

So why not take the first step now and take some positive action to get the support you need right away.

E-mail me now at caroline@zealcoaching.com or call me on 01403 752487 or 07887 540914