The hospitality industry ranges from large hotels with dedicated catering to out-of-the-way motels, bars, and restaurants. While small business owners have the mind that what they are doing is a personal art form and not a cold corporation, every business benefits from scrutiny and planning. A plan does not have to be a grand novel, but it pays to develop a business plan in order to reduce costs and increase profits.
Business Plans Work Wonders at Corralling Expenses
Most hospitality businesses experience some seasonality, but small independents are especially vulnerable to shifts in demand and must often balance considerable expenses with modest revenue. It is not necessary to hire an accountant or planning firm; any proprietor has an idea of seasonal changes from records. If records are not kept, then it pays to start now. Going through receipts and online bank account statements is a place to start.
Large houses and motel facilities can be expensive to keep up, and any place that sees more than a few customers a night will need significant cleaning. The trick is balancing a need for minimum long-term personnel with shifting demand. Far flung motels and lodges taking advantage of tourism are the most vulnerable to changes in workload.
Workers are the greatest expense of any hospitality business. The smaller the operation, the more that wages hurt. There are tools to manage expenses. The most important is to have the fewest employees possible. Seasonal business can be compensated by keeping contact with freelancers. Some people run their own cleaning businesses while others work through staffing agencies. Temporary workers are more expensive per hour but still contribute to profitability during the busiest times.
Using Plans to Expand a Business
Managing costs is just the first priority that planning can achieve. Most businesses want to grow, and corporations of any size are particularly concerned with growth. Figuring out a plan of attack and consistently following it is considered basic. Market research helps, but small business owners can do this themselves by conducting their own research online.
A business plan helps you to clarify your objectives. It is not enough to say, “I want more customers.” It is more specific to set goals such as, “I want to attract more customers by gaining a reputation for outstanding breakfast services.” Similar goals might be to install advertising at local resorts and attractions or to improve worker capabilities through training.
Using a Plan to Relocate
Most hospitality businesses cannot move, because they are invested in significant infrastructure. Bars and restaurants, on the other hand, are defined by their brand and their cooking and can move anywhere. It takes a business plan to move. This is because there are so many costs to manage.
In order to reduce expenses, a restaurant must keep its doors open until it moves. This means setting up the kitchen and painting the walls in the new establishment while keeping tables and service in the old. When it comes time to move, workers will immediately shift to their new workplace, while tables and utensils can be moved in a single day. Good planning saves a great deal of money in wages and customer flow.