Each and every day, millions of people travel around the world. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, superior hospitality management becomes extremely important to ensure satisfaction and repeat visits from guests. Hotels and restaurants both find themselves in need of skilled managers to ensure smooth running operations and to make certain that customers remain fulfilled with the services provided. For those professionals who are looking to sharpen their skills or enhance their understanding of management, participating in executive education has become an attractive option.

Hospitality management and foodservice management are similar in many ways. Although the two deal with different specifics, both have the overall goal of customer satisfaction. For example, foodservice managers are responsible for effective marketing and merchandising strategies for the restaurants. Hospitality managers share those same responsibilities, but the precision differs in regard to the hotel. Unlike restaurants, hotels operate around the clock and never “shut down” for the day. Management is needed 24/7 and a watchful eye must constantly remain on all operations.

Foodservice managers have a lot on their plates, literally. Responsibilities include menu planning, purchasing, receiving, storage, production, and delivery. In addition to those tasks, managers must also supervise employees and ensure a pleasurable dining experience. From the moment they walk in the front door of the restaurant, until they pay their bill and leave, customers should be treated to an enjoyable time. A foodservice management certificate will increase the manager’s effectiveness in being able to run a successful restaurant. Ideally, both employee and customer satisfaction will increase and pressure will be eased from the manager’s shoulders.

Management of hospitality establishments can be a very challenging and stressful endeavor. Oftentimes, managers feel inundated by all that is expected of them. Although it may seem like there are not enough hours in the day, successful leaders in the industry find ways to make everything work smoothly. For those managers who are suffering from overwhelming emotions, it would be a practical idea for them to continue their professional education and complete a certification program in hospitality management. Coursework will include marketing and finance fundamentals, revenue management principles, labor, and economic challenges in the hospitality industry, competitive strategies, stress management, coaching and counseling, and team dynamics. Managers need to be flexible enough to foresee and meet a wide variety of needs.

Holding a position as manager in the foodservice and hospitality industries is not the kind of job for everyone. Those who choose to work in these environments need to excel in their customer service skills, while at the same time making sure they do not become pushovers. They must maintain a level of strictness and not be afraid to be stern, especially with the employees who they manage. It is also important for them to be able to recognize and predict needs, such as ordering food supply for a restaurant preparing for the arrival of important visitors at a hotel. In order to be successful in the foodservice or hospitality industries, one must be able to think quickly, interact well with the public, and enjoy brainstorming to solve problems.

Author Bio: David Shoemaker is Vice President of Learning Solutions and Innovation at eCornell. For more information on foodservice management, hospitality management, or eCornell, please visit http://www.eCornell.com

Category: Education
Keywords: foodservice management, hospitality management