Hospitality Staffing Solutions
Welcome to the HSS Newsletter. You’ll find useful information about HSS, plus news from different regions. Ongoing, we’ll be sending out news on a monthly basis. If you have an article you’d like to write, news you’d like to share, or an idea, please contact James Krouse.
In the meantime, enjoy reading more about the great things happening at HSS.
Summer of 2018 is almost here, and from the growing crowds of vacationing families I’ve seen at airports around the USA we can be assured it will be another busy peak season for all of us here at HSS! It is a very exciting and challenging time to be in our corner of the staffing industry. With demand growing to new heights (and talent pools shrinking to new lows) it is clear that the key to our success in the coming months is all about recruiting effort and execution. Be certain to capitalize on this great opportunity by utilizing all the recruiting tools and resources we have invested in, or in some cases created ourselves.
We recently hired a number of summer recruiting interns to assist each region in meeting the demands of the season, and will continue to make further investments to separate HSS and our strategies from our competition. In the 3rd quarter, we will launch a new national recruiting center in the Phoenix market, this operation is designed to:
To assist our operations with additional recruiting support from Puerto Rico, we have begun initial planning to open our first branch outside of the USA mainland in the San Juan area in the second half of 2018. HSS has already brought more than 100 Puerto Rico residents into the USA mainland in support of six separate clients, and expect this effort to escalate in numbers significantly once the HSS Puerto Rico office is officially opened. Our efforts to provide jobs, income and living accommodations to those suffering from the dramatic impact of Hurricane Maria is a point of pride for the entire HSS organization.
2018 is shaping up to be a record setting year, thanks to each of you for doing your part (and more) to ensure our success!
Sincerely,
Tim
HSS has a van! Three actually. The vans are being used in markets throughout Florida as well as in Lake Tahoe to transport employees to hotels and resorts where access is limited. We decided to leverage this into mobile advertising to help market HSS to both clients and candidates. If anyone would like to purchase a van, please contact Kevin Murphy, who has become an expert on the procurment of white vans throughout North America. (Just kidding, please do not contact Keven Murphy about white vans.)
The corporate team in Atlanta got a sneak peak at one of the vans before being deployed in Florida.
HSS has recently launched a new division called HSS Event Staffing. Our exciting new division today is focused on providing Banquet and Event staff to customers in 3 markets Bethesda MD, San Antonio TX, Houston TX. We are expanding into new markets with exciting new orders every day. Event staffing is powered by HSS OnDemand. HSS OnDemand is a mobile workplace tool that allows the HSS staff team to quickly alert candidates via their mobile phone to job opportunities they are qualified for. Candidates are alerted to jobs based on the skills they have, experience and client required background check completed allowing them to select the jobs they want with a single click. 
Preparing employees for an active threat can appear to be a very daunting challenge. While this is a very difficult topic to talk about, there are some simple pathways to success. For example, training should focus on empowering employees with confidence to trust their instincts. Highlight the importance of “See Something, Say Something” and most importantly, tell the employee who they should say something to. The reality is that active threat training is a leadership issue. Arming your employees with common sense survival strategies for an active threat incident is in keeping with the fundamental leadership principle of “taking care of your people.”
What are some of the steps hotel staff should take during an active threat situation to keep themselves, staff, and guests safe?
Active threat incidents happen very quickly and are almost always over before law enforcement arrives. Therefore, an adequate active threat training program will give your employees the confidence to take decisive action at the first sign of trouble. The second key is clear communication with coworkers and guest so they can move to safety quickly. Thirdly, rapid notification of law enforcement resources is essential to establishing order. Lastly, adequate strategies on how to stay safe until law enforcement arrives are critical for employee and guest safety.
What responsibilities do staff have when it comes to rescuing someone who is trapped or injured in an emergency situation?
Personal safety is a personal choice and we cannot demand or expect employees to place themselves in danger to initiate a rescue. The most effective way to assist in the rescue of coworkers or guest is to give actionable information to responding law enforcement resources. This can be achieved through technology solutions such as access to interior cameras and a sound communication strategy to account for employees/guests and their locations inside the crisis site.
What do employees get out of active threat situation training?
Always remember that knowledge increases confidence, confidence increases decisiveness, and it is decisive action during a critical incident that saves lives. When your organization facilitates active threat training, what you’re actually accomplishing is giving your employees the “Gift of Safety.” The strategies shared with your employees to be used at work during an active threat are the same strategies they should use to be safe at their children’s school, a hospital, amusement park, or even when traveling abroad.
The Department of Homeland Security has important information on recognizing warning signs as well as how to respond during and after these situations. The following links have been provided for you to review:
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_pocket_card.pdf
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_poster.pdf
We encourage you to share this information with your team.
We currently have the following internal opportunities available for anyone interested in applying. If you or anyone you know is interested, please email me a copy of your resume and the reason why you are interested. Please be sure that your supervisor is aware of your desire to apply for another position.
All interested applicants must be:
Job Openings Currently Available:
To apply contact:
Eduardo DeJesus
Director of Talent Acquisition
Cell: 407.271.1240
Edejesus@hssstaffing.com
A great note to get from a customer. Congrats to Rudy and his team:
Good afternoon Diana,
I received the detailed BSA report. Here are Francisca’s & Michelouse’s scores.
- Francisca – 98.5% RM 521
- Michelouse – 94% – RM 1222
Also, the GM stayed overnight the other day before a trip and stayed in RM 507, which Irma cleaned. He said the room was perfect!
Please share with Rudy, so you guys can maybe stop by and do something nice for them just like the time you came over and gave Germaine a gift card and recognized her in front of everyone.
Thanks,
In our ongoing efforts to improve your employee benefits, we are pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2018 we implemented a 401k retirement savings plan with Principal. Employees will be automatically enrolled at 6%. You have the option to reduce or increase your deductions through the Principal website. If you haven’t already please visit principal.com/enroll or text “enroll” to 25827 for more information.
Don’t know much about retirement planning? That’s ok! You’ll find all kinds of educational tools on the website to help you navigate the best approach for you.
Still have questions? Please call 800.547.7754 to speak with a Principal agent. Happy Saving!
by Jessy Santana
Director of Training and Development – Outsourcing
Theresa Tenrreiro has been a part of HSS since 2011, where she joined us as an Account Supervisor staffing in Connecticut. After diligently working for two years in staffing, she became the Executive Housekeeper of Two Trees, a Foxwoods property in 2013, where she has worked tirelessly to create a team environment and a great group of dedicated housekeeping and public area staff. So much so in fact, that she was recently promoted as Area Manager of Outsourcing-Operations where she oversees both Two Trees and Fox Tower of Foxwoods, our biggest Outsourcing accounts.
Before joining HSS, she was already familiar with the Foxwoods brand, having worked in the Environmental Services Department working her way up from Supervisor to Director of the department before leaving in 2010. Theresa has proven time and time again in her career that she’s ready to take on challenges and strives to work passionately and with a high regard for standards.
But enough about her work history, when I last spoke to Theresa I wanted to know more about her and what her visions in life and work were. Having such a long history in the industry and with HSS she had a lot of expertise and knowledge to share regarding her views on not only what HSS means to her but to others as well.
What was your first impression of the property?
It was massive and beautiful.
What were you looking forward to the most?
Meeting all the HSS talent. Learning their backgrounds, what they like about HSS and what they think we can do better.
What has surprised you most about opening this account?
How welcoming everyone has been. Everyone is eager to share and grow. I couldn’t ask for more. I always want to grow and learn so it has been a great partnership.
What was the best/worst thing to happen since you started working this account?
The best thing I have seen is the growing comradery amongst the two properties that we manage here. Both properties have worked hard to create a great working relationship that we have with our customer and our talent.
What do you wish other people knew about opening this account, or other accounts in general?
I wish other people understood that when opening an account it isn’t us and them. It is a joint effort. I think it is important that whatever property you are opening you need to understand the customers’ expectations and their culture. Then work to support their culture and go beyond their expectations. That has helped us earn our customers’ support, trust and growth. Give them the best talent and the best product. It also helps that our customer wants us to be successful and they give us the tools we need. I hear nightmares of properties not giving us the tools we need and then complain about what they are getting. It has to go both ways.
What’s your personal philosophy on what should be done well at this property?
There are some general rules that I have held to throughout my career. Communication, Accountability, Consistency and TeamWork. Everyone needs to know what is going on at the property. Communication helps us serve all our customers better. Accountability: Own it. Be accountable for everything you do. Learn from it, move on from it. Good or bad. Be consistent with your practices but flexible at the same time. Ensure that everyone knows the processes and procedures. When they aren’t working- be open to change. Last, but not least, Team work. It takes the whole department to do their job. It takes everyone being respectful and supportive and it is knowing that when things get tough everyone will dig in and get it done.
If you weren’t working at HSS, what would you be doing instead or what would your life be like?
I honestly do not know what I would be doing for work. I always thought it might be fun to run and operate a camp ground or do real estate. Which I came close to doing before I found HSS.
What do you when you aren’t working?
I enjoy being with my family, friends and being outdoors; camping, traveling, riding my motorcycle. I love trying new things. It’s great when companies can promote from within. It cuts down on culture shock, creates pride and ownership in the position but it also lets others in the company know there is room for growth and career development.
Theresa has a lot of experience, knowledge and wisdom from but is also willing to share it by creating a collaborative team environment where she is able to learn and share with others. We, at OTS, knew she was the right person for the job when the opportunity for an Area Manager came up and we appreciate her gracious acceptance. We look forward to the great aspirations she has for her team and our ever-expanding Fox Woods partnership.
Sales & Marketing UpdatesWe’re rolling out more material with the new logo including a new sales brochure and banner. Recruiting material is on its way as well as new decorations for office walls. We’re working to have one consolidated vendor for all of our material but as a stopgap:
Email me if you need additional Sales Material
In other news, we have three terrific case histories on our blog currently. Four Seasons, Hilton Fairlawn, and I-Drive. There is a fourth shortly on its way. We have a terrific client base that really appreciates the work that we do and the partnership we provide. These pieces make great references for future sales, but they also are good for providing a larger perspective on the impact of our work.
If you have questions, please contact James Krouse
CentralGreat things happening in the Central Region this month, we had our first Direct Hire fee billed in Chicago for 2 Room attendants, Congratulations Robert Lara for being the pioneer!!!! More to come from! We also had new partnerships with Management companies at a regional level in Wisconsin and Minneapolis with NCG and TPI Hospitality kudos to Miguel Zarate and his team in Minneapolis and Cindy Fuente in Wisconsin.
New Hires Welcome We also would like to take the opportunity to welcome our new team members to our HSS Family: Iyana Spencer Account Supervisor in Pittsburg, Gisela Rodriguez AS in Kansas, Karina Hernandez AS in Nashville, Luis Rivera AS in Minneapolis and Omar Sanchez in Michigan ( Welcome back). We also would like thank Roberto Torres our 2 year Account Supervisor and Task Force support in the Central Region that has transferred to a new Region in the Southeast with a new opening market : New Orleans. Roberto we wish you the best and we know you will do great!!
The Focus of the month in our region is Recruiting and Sales. In our region we all sale, our Account Supervisors are empowered to sale deep and wide to our customers and our Area Managers are working diligently in expanding our services into other industries and more hotels. We had close to 15 new additions in the last month in Nashville, Chicago, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pittsburg. More to come indeed so stay tuned.
New Initiatives : Event staffing is expanding to 2 more Champion markets besides Chicago and Minneapolis we are adding Cleveland and Pittsburg!!!
Finally I want to thank all our field team members for all your support and going the extra mile while we had several positions opened these last few months. Cheers or a great summer and a great year!!!
North
The Great Northeast News! Russ Subock and Randy Oloffson attended the Maryland Hotel Association Annual Meeting and showed off our New Logo, with a lot of positive comments on it. Great Meeting and picked up some great contacts for future business as well.
We have started last month at a new build hotel the Archer Hotel in Florham Park, New Jersey and will be moving on up as we will be starting its sister hotel, in New York City in late May, more to come in next month’s Newsletter about this property.
I would recognize Maritza Ayala and her DC/Virginia team for the leading the way with the Event Staffing App and building from the ground up a Banquet Server Team which continues to grow every month.
Southwest
WestAs we enter the summer season in the West region the message to our team is ALL HANDS ON DECK, the Area Managers need to roll up their sleeves put on their sneakers and get out with our supervisors and recruiters and do some good old fashion grass roots recruiting, pop the tents, put up the flyers and street signs, play the radio ads. This summer is about leading by example and use of everything and anything we have in our tool bag to attract talent to HSS. It’s about team work and pushing hard to reach a wide audience. Working with James Krouse and his team on recruiting campaigns, Face book, text-us, Call-em-all, traditional recruiting etc. etc. It’s about thinking outside the box and being in tune with our clients and the resources available in the markets you all manage.
Competition is fierce but not impossible to overcome, we need to be knocking on the doors of potential clients but also knocking on the doors of any possible sources of talent in your markets. We have great stories to tell and examples to give to any potential candidates. Look for those smiling faces and great attitudes along the way, that’s what our clients want, that’s what our clients need. You can increase your hiring ratios by truly selling HSS to the candidates that come for a job, not just offering them a job but selling who we are vs. our competitors etc. Remember, if someone is responding to a post or comes looking and applies then they are at least are someone that got out of the house to find a job, wants a job or needs a job. Sell them one. Give them a chance, make them successful and get them to refer a friend, it’s all about the experience they have being hired at HSS and the first few days of employment with HSS. You can win them or lose them.
Team, it’s up to you to find the talent, hire the talent and onboard the talent in a way that keeps them working loyally for HSS and our clients. So, put on the sneakers and let’s get out and do what you do best, find great, reliable, smiling people to work for HSS.
SoutheastIt’s almost summer in the southeast region and things are starting to heat up! We recently hit a new billing record, generating $1.2m in weekly revenue, billing over 2,300 employees.
Both of our summer interns are now in place and having a positive impact driving recruits into the branches. We are focusing on getting online candidates into the branches to get screened and hired. Focus tools for us are Facebook, Textus, Indeed, eblasts and good old fashioned phone work.
New sales are taking off, in the region we have started 83 new accounts so far in 2017, beating our new sales goal for Q1 by 358%
In May we are proudly opening our first new state (Louisiana) with the opening of our New Orleans branch. Paola Young and Karen Morales have put in a lot of time to develop strong new clients and great prospects. Our first hiring event took place at the Superdome in downtown New Orleans.
Two new accounts we are very excited about are the Hyatt Savannah and Hyatt Jacksonville. These two accounts represent our 3rd and 4th corporate Hyatt accounts in the Region. Ron Boston and Mihaela Pla have done a fantastic job servicing them and as a result have opened up new Hyatt opportunities all over the southeast.
I recently spent time in Orlando with the outsourcing team for the launch of our second and third outsourcing account in the region this year. Also, coming right behind this launch are two new janitorial accounts, one in Jacksonville, FL and one in New Orleans, LA.
I couldn’t be any prouder of the way the team has performed so far this year, and looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish this summer!