4 ways to improve productivity in your hospitality team

Distractions are everywhere. But productivity software can help streamline processes to work smarter, not harder.
Joe Cripps
 • 
Dec 2023
4 min read

Productivity software is a bit of an obsession here at Trail. We're a small, highly focused team, so tools that maximise our output are fundamental to who we are.

With cuts across the Hospitality sector — especially in Head Office—these tools could be game changing for hospitality too.

There are four main areas where tools can improve efficiency in the hospitality industry:

1. Site Performance
2. Simplifying processes
3. Automation
4. Engagement

Here’s our take on these and some suggested tools below.

1. Site Performance

Set goals and see if you've hit them

Having visibility over your sites performance will help you focus your attention where it’s needed the most. So you can allocate time and resources accordingly. And hit those goals. Don’t stop at Sales, Labour and Stock, you should be listing Customer Sentiment (NPS) and Compliance scores (from Trail of course).  

2. Simplifying processes

Streamline clunky workflows

Simple processes = more engaged staff.  Any added complexity you introduce will detract from customer experience and sales.  

Visual maps are a useful approach for eliminating unnecessary steps. You can even do it collaboratively while you’re in lockdown. Remember simplicity and usability are key.  LucidChart has a nice blog post on how to create a process map, check it out!


3. Automation

Reduce repetitive admin tasks

Your team’s daily workload can be reduced by joining up systems. IFTTT and Zapier automate tasks. For example, triggering an alert when it’s raining or ensuring a marketing post is shared automatically, can help save time and unite your organisation.

These systems have become dependable and enterprise-grade in recent years. We use Zapier to power a range of integrations - check them out here.

Automating daily checks like equipment and environmental monitoring can keep the business safe, save time, and deliver preventative maintenance to save lost stock and avoid expensive equipment repairs. We partner with Infogrid, Koolzone, ETI and Klipspringer to name a few.


4. Engagement

Give credit and get out of the way

Part of the productivity battle is employee engagement. Empower your teams with the right tools and set up a robust framework so they can self-manage. A good tool manages then gets out of the way.  This frees up managers to switch from chasing their teams to being able to support and coach them. Tools like Yapster also encourage team collaboration, building ‘social leadership’ and a strong work culture.


Get in touch

Productivity software is in the Trail DNA, so our team would be happy to talk to you about any of the areas above.

Teams can use Trail to improve productivity in all four of these categories. From simplifying daily tasks to monitoring performance, Trail acts as the central hub for getting work done.

Distractions are everywhere. Trail helps teams focus on what’s important.

McManus Pubs customer testimonial


What customers are saying

"I f****** love Trail, it's taking my businesses to the next level."
Josh Paterson
Owner
"We rarely provide training to our guys, they just bought into the idea straight away. I love that I have a full visual of everyone's activity in front of me."
Katrin Toots
Compliance Manager
“It’s not a paper diary that’s covered in barbecue sauce. We have clarity over what’s done in our sites and are confident going into our audits.”
Jay Brown
Operations
“The EHO visited almost every site last year and every store was given a five star rating."
Jay Brown
Operations Chef
"We turned our Costa Checks and various compliance forms into regular tasks on Trail, which has contributed to some of the best scores we have had."
Delroy Daniels
Operations Director
"Our teams love it, it gives our managers of all levels absolute clarity on what they need to achieve every day."
James Brown
Operations Director

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