Hotels Excel at Springboard Awards

The Novotel London West won the Best Employer Award - Hospitality & Leisure, sponsored by the BHA, for its employment strategy that served as a unique selling point for the 629-room convention hotel. Based around innovative staff training and a motivational programme, ëService Extraordinaireí the strategy served as a business culture change mechanic that was structured around staff development and training. Four hotel standards were developed: look professional, be professional; greet every guest and colleague; look after your hotel; and, be positive. The judges commented that is was ëa long term vision with a real belief in promoting the values of best employment practiceí.

The Goring won the Best Student Placement Provider (small organisation), sponsored by Georgia Pacific, for its one-year placement for Oxford Brookes University graduates. Students in the second year of a four-year degree course have the opportunity to work across all the operational departments of the hotel, and also provides nearby accommodation. Regular appraisals form part of the academic portfolio for each student and ensure that the programme continues to meet the needs of hospitality graduates and judges thought that the programme provided a well-structured, well-organised experience.

Red Carnation Hotels scooped the Retention Award, sponsored by Caterer.com for introducing initiatives which help the group achieve its business aims and improve every aspect of employees work life. The company enhanced its portfolio of benefits to staff and provided additional rewards, including staff discounts at over 50 other companies, a childrenís Christmas party for employeeís children, long service recognition and an annual staff appreciation party. ëA well thought out retention strategyí, said the judges, ëwhich demonstrated clear business savings and identified a host of added benefitsí

Corus hotels took the Recruitment Award ñ Hospitality and Leisure, sponsored by Caterer & Hotelkeeper. ëAn initiative with real impact showing impressive commitment to resolving both national and local issues by having an achievable set of aims and objectives,í commented the judges on the hotelís Chef School initiative. The Chef School was developed to develop ëhome growní culinary talent and provides an intensive 12-month training and development programme aimed at school leavers looking to become chefs. Corus is justifiably proud of the quality and professionalism of its graduating chefs.

Malmaison & Hotel du Vin Hotels won the Best Career Progression Award, sponsored by VT Plus Training. The award is for an organisation showing a determined approach to the career progression of its people. The group set out to deliver support and training to its staff in order to meet their needs and the hotelís business requirements. Each hotel has clear organisational structures showing the next role its people can aspire to. A new two-year graduate programme was introduced to attract internal fast track candidates and management development programmes were designed to give current and future department leaders the tools, skills and confidence to successfully lead and motivate their teams in delivering the best results.

ëMalmaison and Hotel Du Vin Hotels encapsulated what everyone needed to grow within this business and identified a clear learning journey for all employeesí, said the judges
In presenting the awards, Anne Pierce chief executive of Springboard commented, ìThe entries this year reflected the industryís vision and effort in creating initiatives to attract and retain high calibre staff.î

ìThe companies and organisations who have excelled in these areas are reaping the rewards of a carefully constructed approach to the ongoing problem of staff shortages and will continue to thrive. Their successful initiatives send a clear message to the rest of the industry that this is the way forward.î

The Springboard Awards for Excellence recognise outstanding practice by companies and individuals in addressing one of the industryís most significant issues ñ attracting and retaining people. Each winning entry had to meet the award criteria of a clear strategy, address the specific need of their initiative, show clear aims and outcomes and provide proof of innovation, achievement, evaluation and use of partnerships.