News / Press

Strategy Clinic - Persistent Sick Leave

"How can I deal with staff who persistently take sick leave?"

Continue reading 3 April 2008

Leap year: If you're proposing to leap into action?

I'm down on one knee in the middle of a restaurant, asking the Italian waiter Hugo (with a silent H) to marry me. We've known each other for only 30 seconds, but when you know, you know - you know?

Continue reading 28 February 2008

Who Stole all my talent?

Labour turnover within the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry is, by conservative estimates, at least 30% - though many believe it to be much higher. One study by Leeds University concluded that the average turnover rate within the licensed trade runs at 188%. The financial cost of poor retention is large and frustrating. In addition to the direct costs of recruitment, training and interim cover, there are significant indirect costs.

Continue reading 22 February 2008

2008 Caterer and Hotelkeeper Awards

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THE PEOPLE'S CHOICES

The winners of the 2008 Caterer and Hotelkeeper Best Places to Work in Hospitality Awards were announced this week. Karl Cushing looks at what the top companies did to impress the judging panel.

Continue reading 21 February 2008

Strategy Clinic - Bullying

"As a hotel GM, I'm worried about the behaviour of the chefs in our kitchen and know that some of the 'banter' probably amounts to bullying. How can I deal with this?"

Continue reading 26 January 2008

A-Hunting We Will Go

Last summer, before launching his own restaurant in Miami Beach, Florida, Hollywood actor and funnyman Danny DeVito was spotted at a local restaurant where he was accused of trying to poach the female maitre d'. As it transpired, the maitre d' stayed in her post and the actor's spokesperson neither admitted nor denied the allegation. But whether the story is true or not, the fact is that staff poaching is an everyday occurrence in the hospitality industry.

Continue reading 10 January 2008

Would you win the leadership election 2008?

Traditionally the predominant style was fear and autocracy and in many organisations, that’s still the way things are done. People are individuals; they are all different and have different needs when it comes to leading and being lead. Some people will want to be provided with many rules and boundaries which they can follow; some want to be stretched and challenged by a tough leader; others will want to be creative and innovative and decide for themselves how things are done.

Continue reading 7 January 2008

Official: TT means business!

talent toolbox wins cipd ‘Talent management for business benefit’ award

We are proud to say that in September, learnpurple, in conjunction with Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, were presented with the 2007 CIPD and People Management “Talent Management for Business Benefit” Award. This officially makes us the best talent managers in the UK. We were particularly proud that we won over many other organisations, large and small, from a wide variety of industries. And it’s great to see hospitality leading the way.

Continue reading 11 November 2007

The art of appreciation

Compliments are a weird and wonderful thing. We find it hard to accept them, we find it hard to give them, yet we thrive and feel great after both. It’s the easiest way to build relationships. It’s the quickest way to earn respect. It’s the best way to make someone feel appreciated. And yet, quite underestimated and, we think, under-done.

Continue reading 11 September 2007

Magnetic lessons from retail

learnpurple associate Stephen Yates takes a look at how you can really push the boundaries on front line service. Having joined from a retail background with Liberty, Habitat and Heals, we think it’s safe to say there is not much Stephen doesn’t know about this subject.

Continue reading 11 July 2007