Instructions:
To introduce the topic, SAY: During this month, our Pre-Shifts conversations are about the Dedicated to Excellence initiative. At the end of our previous Pre-Shift, each of us was challenged to do one thing to maintain or improve our problem resolution scores in one of these areas: first point of contact, efficiency of response, personal attention, and team member knowledge.
ASK: Who will tell us—briefly—about the progress you have made on this goal? What worked well; what could you use some help with? ALLOW one or two team members to share. LEAD APPLAUSE for the stories.
SAY: Our Pre-Shift topic this week is handling complaints, which is something that all team members must be able to do, regardless of their role. Today, we will focus on the service model known as the HEART model. HEART is an acronym in English. An acronym is an abbreviation made with letters that form a word. For example, the word that describes the tools that help divers breathe in deep water—SCUBA—is made from the initial letters in “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.” Think for a moment about your previous training in the service model HEART.
ASK: What does each letter stand for?
ALLOW and ACKNOWLEDGE team members’ responses. See answers below.
•H – Hear the guest
•E – Empathize with the guest
•A – Apologize to the guest
•R – Resolve the issue
•T – Thank the guest
SAY: Guest property loyalty depends partly on how well we handle complaints. A recent report of SALT Survey responses showed that Property Loyalty increased by two percentage points when team members performed all five HEART actions. When those guests had experienced problems--and when team members had completed all actions--Property Loyalty increased an average of eight percentage points!
ASK: Which action do you think made the biggest difference to guests in the survey? Why? (Answer: Thank the guest)
ALLOW two or three responses for each. ACKNOWLEDGE team members’ responses.
To end the discussion, SAY: Each of these steps is important to resolving problems, whether we serve hotel guests or internal customers. During the rest of our Pre-Shifts this week, we will refresh our learning about the service models that help to make us the premier destination for luxury travelers across the globe. Thank you for your attention during today’s conversation.