The challenges of finding and retaining human capital in the hospitality industry

Dimitris:
Dimi, Dimitris Leivadas, Founder and CEO of Delta Lambda Hospitality
So we are strategic advisors for investors, luxury brands, mainly in hospitality, but as well
in sustainability, philanthropy and tech.

Shaked:
What do you see the biggest challenges in this arena of managing staff and how do you think we can use technology or tools to overcome it?

Dimitris:
A, challenge is to find people, talent, what they call, I call it human capital.
And then, you know, create the conditions, keep them with you, empower them, engage them, mentor them, coach them.
Companies as well, they miss to calculate, because it's a cost as well, when you're losing people. You have them, you know, they learn the product, they are the ambassadors of the brand.

And then because, you know, you haven't really been close to them to know what they're thinking, being one step ahead. Again, is always important to be proactive rather than active or reactive.
So being proactive, keeping them with you, that’s the most important thing.

We need to be adaptable to our ages now.

So use technology. And there are great companies, software, etc. that we can use, provide brilliant solutions to the extent that it's probably adaptable to any business model.

Shaked:
What would be your key tip for a new business owner, a new manager, I don't know, someone who wants to start a new boutique hotel?

Dimitris:
Explore the market, make sure there is a good return on investment.
We live in a very competitive environment and we're talking about hospitality, which applies in
any industry, cross-disciplinary.

So going back again, invest in people.
You have the right people to look after your guests, the guests will be happy, you'll be happy
and everybody will be happy and smiling.