Hospitality Management in Northwest Montana

T. E. Lewis Hospitality Management Service


	•Operational Logistics •Flow Charts •Physical Step Graphs •Site Inspections •Statiscal Process Control •Quality Control Standards •Inventory Control •Employee Retention & Enrichment Programs •Compliance •Risk Management •Waste Reduction •Remodeling/Refurbishment •Cross-Training/Utilization

T. E. Lewis fly fishing in Montana.

     Turning management issues into hospitality opportunities!

     The common ground issue is employee retention. Understandibly, the workforce is shrinking demographically, availability of jobs, and a capacious turnover in the hospitality industry leaving employers searching for answers.

     Employers try to achieve the goal of a tight-knit homogeneous workforce within the company, yet can't. Begin to develop a plan by finding out what the employee expectations are in your area. During the interview process, if a repetitive answer keeps surfacing this might be an issue you can address presenting the opportunity to look more appealing to the applicant.

     Another hot topic is about the front desk employees answering questions about Montana's natural attractions. The two problems are (1) Time consuming for the employees and (2) The level of accurate information. With the proliferation of wireless telephones, smart phones, and laptops equipped with Wi-Fi today I addressed the overall guest experience while improving efficiency by compiling a list of informative internet sites, physical addresses, phone numbers, and safety information in a book about Montana's outdoors. This book is a print on demand publication in either print or electronic form decreasing the number of printed material stored reducing energy use and overall carbon footprint. The book can be used as a quick reference at the front desk or can be placed in each room allowing a guest to explore sites of interest.

     You can find this book by clicking on the following link:

Montana Outdoor Recreation Web Guide: An Internet directory guide to Montana's outdoors

     Quote from the book:

"Arrogance with the outdoors is the direction of encouraging misfortune to your encampment."     -T. E. Lewis

Compliance

A common question asked by hotel/motel owners is about compliance. For those interested in investing in the hotel/motel industry in northwest Montana or if your a current owner or manager, the following ARM link may be helpful:

The "Administrative Rules of Montana"

Located in the right section of the site - Look for "By Department, Chapter, and Rule Table of Contents" and select Go.

Select Title 37- Public Health and Human Services.

Select Chapter 111 - Public Accommodation.

Here's the link 37.111

The information in this chapter will give guidelines about guest registration, physical requirements, water supply system, laundry facilities, housekeeping & maintenance, swimming & bathing areas and many other administrative rules and definitions.

There is also "Title 50", "Chapter 51" that pertains to hotels and motels.

Locally referred to as "The Red Book" both these administrative rule books are available in hard copy at the health department.

I also recommend visiting your local health department and review the past inspection sheets called " Public Accommodation Establishment Inspection Report" of the facility. Depending on the department, this information goes back years and is open to the public for review which can prove to be beneficial if you are looking to invest or manage.

Issues into opportunities:

"Tom designed a vending program and made sure the program was compliant with the Federal and State regulations and Health Department codes that are applicable. The program has moved forward successfully with integrity and his professionalism and communication are beneficial to me and the Glacier National Park Fund."
          J.R., Glacier National Park Fund-Whitefish, Montana

"Tom's attention to detail and profitability were evident in every area including housekeeping, check-in process, safety procedures, record keeping, maintenance and guest relations...has exceeded my projections for revenue and profitability..."
          J.F., Kalispell Hilltop LLC-Kalispell, Montana

"Tom's knowledge of health requirements and procedures were invaluable to assure us we are compliant with regulations and requirements."
          M.E., Crown Enterprises, Inc.-Kalispell, Montana

In Flathead County, Montana - Overtime, maintenance, and compliance problems in the Housekeeping & Laundry Departments of a 218 unit Hotel & Convention Center..."Congratulations on your quality assurance improvements, in such a brief time. Great turnaround, Tom."
          J.K., Hospitality Consultant-Greenwood Village, Colorado

125 units & restaurant...Tom provided "...information beneficial to operational decisions of the two hotels and restaurant that I own."
          T. M., Four Seasons Motor Inn-Kalispell, Montana

Contact: T. E. Lewis: