Chennai: Hotels use new language to connect with guests – Times of India

Chennai News

CHENNAI: Service with a smile has always been the motto of the hospitality industry. But, with the smile hidden behind the mandatory mask, hotels and restaurants are coming up with innovative ways to establish that personal connect with their guests.
Soon after their hotel opened its doors on September 1, Vikram Cotah, COO, GRT Hotels & Resorts came up with a ‘Smile Behind The Mask’ programme to train the staff. “All our staff wear a mask and face shield so we realised that they could be losing some of the connect with guests,” he says. “In hospitality, we follow the 7-38-55 rule. Words account for 7%, tone of voice accounts for 38% and body language account for 55% of personal communication. And now, with your facial expressions masked, and words muffled with the mask, the body language becomes more important.”
The staff is being trained to smile with their eyes – make sure wrinkles form at the corners of the eyes, and bags form below it – use their eyebrows and shoulders to accentuate emotion, articulate words properly. “You need to tell people – I am happy you are staying with us, we will miss you, I am surprised you did not like your breakfast, or I am sorry you are angry,” says Cotah. “You can also do a namaste, give people a virtual hug, sign a heart or put a hand on your heart to express emotion.”
There is some unlearning to do, as gesturing too much was earlier considered rude. “Now we encourage more hand gestures – wave, show a thumbs up if you like something, a thumbs down if you don’t,” says Cotah.
Zubin Songadwala, area manager, ITC Hotels & GM, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, says everything about the way service was delivered over 45 years has been rewritten in the past few months. “We have told our staff to communicate clearly, and repeat what the guest has said to confirm what they want as masks muffle your voice,” he says. However, a mask is a barrier only for the virus not the warmth, says Songadwala. “The body language – the way you hold your hands while speaking – will show you are interested, Also, you have to maintain eye contact and have the ability to anticipate the guest’s needs, while maintaining social distancing,” he says.
At Park Hyatt, which is all set to reopen on October 1, staff is being trained how to use the right body language. “Facial expression is important while making a personal connection, but since that is now masked, we are training the staff – especially front desk and those working in the restaurants – how to use body language effectively,” says Sascha Lenz, general manager, Park Hyatt Chennai.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-hotels-use-new-language-to-connect-with-guests/articleshow/78213235.cms