Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I spend time and money training my staff won’t they just leave me for someone else?
   
   Staff training within any industry or business is essential to ensure the required results can be delivered. Investing in staff training will make your staff comfortable with their job role and also make them feel valued. If you do make the commitment to train your staff as an employer you will gain a reputation for this and in the event of staff moving on you will be in a position where staff will want to work for you.
   
2. If I need advice about an area of my business but can’t seem to find it on the website who should I contact?
   
   In the first instance contact Business Gateway who will be able to put you in contact with the relevant service. Business Gateway’s contact details are:- 0845 609 6611 www.bgateway.com
   
3. I run a successful small business and have done for many years, why should I take advice on trying to improve it?
   
   No matter the size of your business everyone would either like to make more money or make their life easier. The advice that you will receive would always be in your best interests and ultimately it would be your decision whether to act on the advice given.
   
4. I am a junior member of staff in a hospitality/tourism business and feel I have some good ideas about how to improve the business. How should I go about putting these ideas forward?
   
   The most important part in putting your ideas over is the delivery of it. Ask to speak to your manager and tell them you would like to put forward a suggestion to improve the business. Ensure you think properly about the idea and identify any pitfalls, and their solutions, that your manager may find in it. Also consider wither you can take the idea forward yourself or if you would require further support from your manager, for instance if money is required to make it work.
   
5. I am thinking about starting a hospitality/tourism business but people keep telling me that I will not make money and will need to spend all of my time at the business is this true?
   
   There is no denying that the hospitality & tourism industry is demanding in both a physical and mental sense. To make a business work in this industry ensuring good customer service and relationships are essential.
   
   The advice and support you will find in this website will cover all areas that you will need to consider and you will also be put in contact with existing businesses who will be able to offer first hand practical advice.
   
6. I feel that my career in hospitality/tourism has ground to a halt how can I kick start it?
   
   You are the only person who can reinvent your career. It is your responsibility to make the first step in this process. Identify if your current employer has a training and development program that you could become involved with and register your interest. If your employer doesn’t have this then research any training or qualifications that could carry out in conjunction with your job.
   
   Contact VT training who offer Vocational Qualifications:- http://www.vtplc.com/plustraining/index.asp
   
   Alternatively, it may be worth while contacting People 1st - the Sector Skills Agency for the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism sector where you will find further information on the relevant skills necessary for this sector as well as advice on how industry requirements and how to further develop your career.