Relay for Business Archives

Should You Tell Your Guests About Your New Panic Button Plan?

July 16, 2021/0 Comments/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

As more resorts, hotels, and casinos get ready to roll out their new panic button plans there are a lot of moving parts in the background.

From employee training to a basic understanding of how a panic button works, to explaining the importance of keeping your devices fully charged, there are crucial bits and pieces that go into the process. One topic that’s not often discussed is where guests fit into the equation.

There’s no official info or recommendations on the topic

Hotel and lodging spaces have their official responsibilities regulated by state and local (not federal) law, one of the reasons the panic button legislation is being rolled out on a state-by-state basis. In fact, most hotels operate on something loosely referred to as the standard of care requirements. That means a hotel has to be safe, adequately heated, and have proper lighting and a security system in place. There isn’t even an official stance on how to protect your guest’s valuable property. For that reason, there really isn’t an official directive on what you have to tell guests either.

The last thing anyone in hospitality wants to do is cause their clients or guests to panic about panic buttons. After all, your guests are there to enjoy their stay, not to worry about the way that your hotel operates behind the scenes. Interestingly enough, The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has only a handful of articles available about panic buttons, and none touch on the potentially sticky topic of whether or not to tell your guests about them.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

To tell or not to tell

So should you tell your guests about your new panic button policy? It depends on a variety of factors.

Is your hotel already transparent about policies? If your hotel or chain already has an open book policy about the way you operate, then it’s a no-brainer to include panic button information as well. Make sure to explain that you’re following state mandates and the plan is to protect remote workers. Your goal is to educate your guests, not to frighten them.
You’re looking for media coverage. If you’re one of the first in your region to implement a robust panic button plan, you might want to talk about it. Local media outlets are always searching for feel-good stories. Informing others that you go above and beyond to keep your staff safe is definitely a story worth sharing.
You offer an option for guests as well. This is a topic that’s been coming up lately as well. If your resort has hiking trails or other off-campus experiences, you might consider having a separate range of panic buttons or similar devices set up for guests. In this way, you offer another layer of security and peace of mind. And not to be shallow, but imagine the social media-friendly aspects of providing branded walkie-talkie devices for guests? You might want to create a shareable hashtag as well to create a feeling of both safety and camaraderie.
There’s a history of issues in your region. Your hotel could be the safest one around, but if your area isn’t, guests or staff might not always feel entirely secure on the premises. By creating a subtle announcement, you’re informing people that there’s a new layer of protection on your property. By announcing your use of panic buttons, you’re also allowing any potential troublemakers to know they’re not welcome on your property and will be held accountable.

Ready to tell your guests about the new panic buttons? Along with your training, you should come up with a unique to your property way of describing the devices. This hospitality site offers downloaReassure guests that the devices are there to protect workers. And while you’re at it, run your statement by your staff attorneys to avoid making any promises or reassurances that you might not be able to keep.

The goal of giving your staff panic buttons is to empower them and protect their safety. That also gives guests more peace of mind, knowing the property they’re visiting follows all state safety laws and keeps both workers and guests as safe as possible.

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

Q&A: The Future of Frontline Work

July 10, 2021/0 Comments/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

Q&A with Tom Kelley, President of AccessPoint Group Restaurant & Hotel Food & Beverage Consulting

The face of business has changed drastically in the past months, and none more obviously than the travel and hospitality industry.

Beyond the obvious changes that include panic button legislation, and hyper-vigilant cleaning and disinfecting protocols, many face the stressful challenge of smaller and potentially inexperienced staff. In some cases, there’s the added stress of hiring, vetting, and training entirely new staff. And while the summer season is off to a great start, hotel, resort, and golf club operators will be faced with operating a location with brand new rules that might even change daily.

To help us figure out what the future of active work might look like for hotel and golf operators, we asked Tom Kelley, President of AccessPoint Group Restaurant & Hotel Food & Beverage Consulting for some input as to what’s next in the hospitality industry.

The hospitality industry is changing. “Changes have led to a better appreciation of the importance of a solid and motivated workforce, especially in high-end and luxury properties,” Kelley said. He added that “Challenges of bringing employees back to work are less when team members feel emotionally connected and appreciated by the company.” In case you’re wondering, that’s something that should never change. Kelley offered the example of the Las Vegas Sands/Venetian where they continued to pay their employees during the pandemic.

The biggest change in the industry. In case you’re wondering what the the most enduring changes will be industrywide, it might not be what you anticipated.

Sanitation overhaul: “There has been and is a change in sanitation – for the better.” Kelley said. Along with that comes more emphasis on less touching of items. Kelley said “Restaurant runners will continue using gloves.” They’ll also realize that they will need to change them often, especially after picking up used plates).
More reliance on reservations: If you’re a last-minute play it by ear type, you’re out of luck. Moving forward, restaurants in hotels will rely more heavily and more consistently on reservations. They’ll also probably pad clean up time to keep things as sanitized as possible.
More outside dining: Kelley predicts that restaurant companies are going to ready themselves for concept models built around all outside dining. While this will be more obvious in temperate climates, cities like NYC have already created heated outdoor dining that is probably here to stay. And it won’t be limited to restaurants, Kelley says there will be more outside everything.

The evolution of panic button legislation. When asked about personal safety devices, Kelley said it might be hard to legislate in every state immediately. “ It is evolving and may take some time. Employee unions are leading, but, now more than ever, costs are a bigger factor.” He added that most hotels and resorts will probably “look for an innovative solution from an industry vendor in the coming year.”

At Relay, we’re proud to offer that innovative solution. Our devices connect hotel and resort staff and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff and clientele through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

Accommodate your guests. Kelley said the biggest mistake hotels and golf resorts are making right now is “trying to force guests into situations guests may find uncomfortable.” Your goal in the hospitality industry is to make your guests always feel welcome. To that end, Kelley said “If your guests want to sit outside, find a way to accommodate. If they want more spacing or a table apart from others, accommodate that.”

Don’t rush things. While we’re all excited to get back to normal, we have to all ease our way back in. Kelley cautioned that “operators that are trying to instantly go back to packed dining rooms will only drive a good number of guests away – those who are not quite ready to go back to the old normal.

Don’t slack off. In case you think you can get away with providing a less than optimum experience, you can’t. Kelley said “Those operators who slack off on visible protocols around sanitation won’t win any guest loyalty – it will just be seen as not being conscious of a better way of doing things and a new normal.” And that doesn’t give you free reign to slack off on the things guests can’t see. With millions of active social media profiles that last thing you want is for a guest to broadcast your sanitation shortcuts to the world.

Be transparent about your dining protocols. This is not the time to be wishy washy or coy about the way you do things at your hotel. “Hospitality establishments, especially restaurants, need to clearly state safe dining protocols on their websites and in-store,” Kelley said. Every guest will be coming to you with different needs and requirements. Make it clear before they book their stay that you can meet their needs. “Guest comfort levels are all over the place and restaurants need to continue to cater to that entire spectrum,” Kelley said. “Operators trying to recoup and cram people in, or use less staff, or visibly clean less won’t win any fans.” You won’t win any fans or repeat guests by cutting corners. “ Just do it the new right way and guests will notice operators have their/guest interest at heart and are not just chasing a quick buck.”

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

Tips from the Concierge

July 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

Planning a trip this summer? With summer travel anticipated to be higher than in over a decade, you’re going to have lots of company no matter where you go.

Travel is on the increase in 2021

According to specialty insurance company Allianz Partners’ 13th annual Vacation Confidence Index, travel by Americans will pass the total spend will likely cross the $150 billion mark for a 160 percent increase over 2020 (and a 50 percent increase over 2019). Americans will also be spending more than ever on their summer vacations, with an estimated $2,122 spend per household.

People want a better travel experience overall

After about 15 months of restriction and varied degrees of lockdown, people aren’t only planning trips, they’re planning to travel in style. With all that upgraded travel, comes the expectation that there will be an elevated experience. And that’s where the concierge services come in.

From luxury home rentals to wellness concierges, nearly every hospitality-related industry is upgrading their concierge services. And concierge services range from the basic — asking a concierge at your hotel to help you secure tickets to a museum exhibit — to the absolutely bizarre. In early June The Daily Mail reported on some of the over-the-top concierge requests of users of the American Express Centurion card, AKA the Amex black card. One user was reported to have run out of ice, Amex’s concierge services dropped off ice cubes…via helicopter.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect distanced workers on golf courses and empower them through the use of a panic button using the cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff and clientele through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

Advice from the concierge

We asked friends in the hospitality industry for tips on how to best take advantage of concierge services. We also found some great advice on the website of professional concierge Sarah Dandashy.

Of course every property’s concierge has different skillsets and responsibilities, so consider asking what the concierge does when booking your stay.

From booking you a spot at the hottest restaurant in town to helping you plan a romantic evening for two, concierges make your stays extra special. If you’ve never used a concierge before, you can try to ease in by following some of their advice or taking advantage of their services:

Wellness concierges: While individual health-related companies now offer help for medical travel, some hotels do as well. A resort wellness concierge can advise you on the best time of day for a hike, which yoga teacher matches your needs, or whether or not to opt for a massage and facial.
Can you workation? If you plan on spending some of your vacation time checking in with the office, a concierge can make it a more pleasant experience overall. From helping you find the perfect spot to set up your laptop with consistent wifi, to potentially connecting you with local entrepreneurs, your concierge can help make your working vacation feel less like work.
Finding you a pet or bicycle: We all have things that remind us of home. Some properties keep bikes available for guests while others might have a pooch around for guests to cuddle up to – you won’t know unless you ask. A concierge knows if you can have access to the on-staff pup if you’re feeling homesick.
Meal planning Here’s something we never knew, the on-property concierge can help those with special dietary needs work with the culinary staff to create a more customized menu.
Booking tips (book directly with the property): Believe it or not, you might not always get the best deal even when booking your trip through a deal finder site. Sometimes literally picking up the phone and talking to someone in the booking department could save you hundreds of dollars on your entire trip.
Buy travel insurance when booking your trip: Dandashy said that the best time to buy travel insurance is right when you’re booking your trip. If you’re not sure about the kind of insurance you need, try to factor in how much actual travel and hotel might cost, and also take into account whether you’ll be doing anything risky like skydiving. It’s a smart investment since you’ll be covered for things like medical emergencies and lost luggage.
Share your itinerary and contact information with them: Not to be overly paranoid, but anything can happen when you’re traveling. By letting the concierge know where you’ll be, you’re also informing them of when you should return. And if the worst happens, they can notify your family that you might be needing medical assistance. You can also ask the concierge if the hotel or property offers walkie-talkies for guests while out on all-day excursions.

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

Hotel Technology Investment Priorities in 2021

May 24, 2021/0 Comments/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

Like most hospitality based industries, the hotel industry has changed drastically as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. And as the travel industry picks up again, hotel managers are trying to figure out how to create a safer and better experience for guests and their frontline employees. Interestingly enough, while the hospitality industry overall relies on the personal touch, technology is going to play an even bigger part in the hotel industry than it does now.

Why hotel technology is changing right now:

Most of the country is easing out of lockdown and people eager to travel again. To keep up with increased demand for accommodations, amenities and food services, the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries are going through major changes, many technology-based or focused.

According to a survey last year on Statista, travel behavior all across the globe changed, particularly in terms of the level of comfort when staying in hotels. The study reported that 60 percent of respondents said “they would be more comfortable staying in hotels after the coronavirus pandemic if there is increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting procedures.” Nine percent of respondents to that survey stated they “were in favor of temporarily suspending some hotel services such as spas, casinos, and restaurants.” What a difference a year makes. While last year people were still apprehensive about spa services or dining out, social media is filled with vows to enjoy both extensively.

Managing budgets while accommodating guests:

After a year of restrictions, people are no longer content to give up luxuries, especially when in hotels. In fact, after being mostly stuck home for 14+ months, people really want to enjoy the full experience that hotels and resorts can provide. A challenge for hotel operators right now is to figure out how to provide the safest possible and most seamless experience to all their guests, while taking advantage of the new and emerging technologies. An even greater challenge is prioritizing spending and figuring how what the most important tech investments should be right now.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button connected to the cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts to potential danger.

Prioritizing your tech investments:

In March, we posted about Tech tools hotel operators need most. While researching that article we uncovered some interesting technology that hotels would be investing in over the next months. Our top picks included chatbots, venue sourcing software, and panic buttons, of course, which will soon be mandatory in all states. The question we received most often though, was how do you prioritize your hotel tech investments? We wondered the same thing as well.

To add a bit of perspective, you need to update your booking software before the summer rush, but is it wise to do any of this before you’ve updated your safety plan? And should you even be thinking of letting in new guests before you’ve fully trained your staff in the best ways to use their personal protective devices?

To help you figure out your tech and investment priorities, we created a checklist. Of course your hotel or chain is different than everyone else’s and as such has differing needs, but this should give you an idea of where to begin.

Technology driven disinfection systems: This one is a deal breaker. No matter how gorgeous your grounds or how high the threadcount is on your bedding, if guests don’t feel that you’re taking their health concerns seriously, they won’t stay with you.
Mobile keys: People no longer want to touch germy keys (well, we’re not sure they ever did!). If you’re apprehensive about a property-wide rollout, consider starting floor by floor until you iron out any potential issues.
Panic buttons and safety systems (and training): As you ease staff back in it’s time to pay attention to the new and emerging legislation in your state. There’s a good chance that your employees have never used personal panic buttons before and now is the time to train them and explain the process as well. Way before you host guests, you need to add that newest level of safety and protection.
Automated booking services: Once you’re sure that your space will be safe for both guests and staff, it’s time to make sure that your booking system is of the moment. This is also a great time to ask new hires their favorite platforms and why, and to train everyone in best practices. While you’re at it, pay special attention to internal glitches and solicit as much feedback as possible.
Chatbots, virtual reality tours and more: If you’re feeling adventurous, try setting up a few methods of keeping potential guests in touch before they’re in touch or during their stay. If you’ve never used any form of chatbot or alternate communication methods, you might want to start small with a focus group offering incentives for honest feedback.
Smart rooms: The reason we didn’t include this at the top of our list is because this will involve a major spend. Voice control, facial recognition and more can highly personalize the guest experience, but it can also go really, really wrong. Take as much time as possible to explore options before spending.

We also recommend considering a private app for your hotel to be shared by guests and one just for staff, as well as upgraded WiFi and an expanded social media presence.

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

Why golf club operations are embracing technology

May 13, 2021/1 Comment/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

Golf has enjoyed a significant uptick during the pandemic to the tune of about 500 million rounds played.

Everyone is golfing right now

As the ultimate socially distanced outdoor sport, golf allowed people to exercise and socialize in a way not possible with most other sports. And along with playing, comes spending on accessories. Golf Datatech reported that U.S. Retail golf equipment sales for August 2020 were up nearly 32% over the previous year. And in case you’re wondering why golf’s current popularity (and spending) is significant, the last time golf was this popular was back in 1997 when Tiger Woods first became popular.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect distanced workers on golf courses and empower them through the use of a panic button and a cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff and clientele through connectivity with a device that alerts to potential danger.

A short history of golf

Compared with flashier sports, golf has something of an old-fashioned reputation, and it makes sense. The game of golf is centuries old and originated in Scotland in the 1400s, where the goal was to hit a small ball with a stick. As the game evolved, so did the rules, though some things stayed as old-school as possible.

The parts of golf that were outdated

For many years there was the mistaken belief that the word golf was an acronym for Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden. And it seems like some posh golf clubs took this really to heart. In early May of this year, Golf Digest reported that Pine Valley, a 108-year-old men’s only club located in New Jersey voted to allow female members for the first time in its history along with unrestricted women’s play. Until now, female golfers were only welcome on Sundays and as guests of members. It’s a welcome change in a sport that continues to evolve.

Tracking the heat map on a golf course

Like most sports enthusiasts, golfers have embraced technology as a way to enhance their experience and game. One example the past few years, many in the golf industry used sophisticated technologies to build better courses. Part of that involved using heat maps of activity to know which parts of the course were not used and which should be built up or enhanced.

By spending to understand golfers’ habits, designers of golf courses were able to streamline their current approach. They also found a way to better design future courses to work with the approach and game style of modern golfers.

Other technologies embraced by golfers

To keep up with their most loyal players, golf clubs and golf courses will have to pay close attention to the newest technologies being used. More than that, savvy golf clubs will also make certain tech products or apps part of their offerings or sell them in the pro shop.

Augmented reality golf experiences

Putt View merges old school and new tech by offering augmented reality technologies to create an indoor golfing experience that helps players improve their game drastically. They create everything from home and professional series to custom greens. Imagine how golfers might be further engaged if this was a service readily available to them on rainy days or even in hotel rooms or public areas. It’s a great way of combining their passion with the latest technologies. They also create both indoor maps of over 30,000 yardage and green maps in golf. A smart golf course could offer touchpoints available where players can view and print out challenging spots as needed.

Readily available GPS

There’s extensive use of GPS in the golf industry on a personal level. Now imagine if this became standard in a golf resort that created free GPS options for any member or their guests. It could also act as a tool to literally map out the most popular elements of the green and allow for a more seamless experience.

An interconnected walkie-talkie and safety network

Golf course operators make every effort to create not only visually stunning and challenging courses but also safe ones. But sometimes having acres of green also means that staffers and golfers are sometimes far apart from each other. Having a dedicated walkie-talkie system for employees means they can seamlessly communicate if an area of the course needs tending to or even if a guest becomes unruly. And in case of an emergency, having a panic button system in place means that if a guest becomes injured in some way or a worker is threatened or harassed by a guest, with the push of a button help can be rapidly notified.

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

Tech tools hotel operators need most

May 4, 2021/0 Comments/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

As the hospitality industry ramps up for fuller capacity and summer bookings, there’s a flurry of upgrades and activity. In addition to new health protocols and regulations, many hotel operators realize it’s also a great time for a tech makeover. But where to begin?

While things have changed a lot over the past year, there are still necessary core essential tools for hotels. The key right now is realizing how to integrate change that best suits you, your guests and your operating budget.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

Venue sourcing software:

Many traditional hotels and estate type properties balance their outreach between advertising and enhanced word of mouth via social media and reviews. But sticking to what worked until now also means that hotel operators could be ignoring potential guests. Even worse, groups and planners looking for something a bit different might have no idea of how to find them.

When event planners search for venues, they often start with tried and true solutions. It doesn’t matter if you hosted 40 successful conferences if event planners don’t know about it. By signing your hotel up for various databases, you automatically put your property in the running. You also have ways to easily update your promotions, include city guides or dazzle event planners with all your amenities and extras.

Cvent has a fairly easy sign up process along with intuitive tools to help you grow your presence. There are also guides for helping you figure out how best to offer virtual, in-person or hybrid events.

Hotel chatbots:

In 2013 Expedia released a study where they shared the fact that potential travelers visit about 38 different travel sites in the month or so before booking a trip. Since that time there have been so many drastic upgrades to the industry that no doubt the competition has simultaneously become more fierce and sophisticated.

Machine learning is here to stay, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a one-size-fits-all industries endeavor. Chatbots in the hotel industry can act as time savers, by offering weather, booking information or even menu details. Chatbots can also engage a potential guest who’s on the fence about booking, by presenting a fun or friendly virtual presence.

An article on HotelTechReport.com some more popular chatbots for the hospitality industry.

We think these could most help with hotels:

Reservations agent chatbots offer a more personalized experience when booking or researching your property.
Customer care chatbot allow hotel operators to monitor any customer service issues before guests take to social media to air their complaints.
Local concierge chatbot helps your guests understand the local culture, hangouts and hidden spaces.

Another highlight of having your own chatbots is the increase in security and protecting your guests and their sensitive information, which leads us to our next suggestion.

Panic buttons:

If you’ve been following the changing legislation, you already know that it’s a matter of time before every hotel will have panic buttons for all frontline staff. And while in theory the process can feel overwhelming, it’s actually pretty easy to choose the best panic button possible. When outfitting your staff, keep in mind things like reliability, ease of use, shared network and an immediate understanding of next steps.

Another few technological updates that will attract and reassure guests include:

The cleanest stay possible. Smudged water glasses are no longer an annoyance to guests, as much as a reminder of a potential threat to one’s health. These days even the most casual hotel guest expects sophisticated cleaning and disinfection. Setting up an automated cleaning plan with an app that monitors everything from empty rooms to food spills should be a given at all hotels. Hilton even recently made an announcement about their partnership with RB (makers of Lysol & Dettol) as part of their CleanStay program.
Reliable wifi. Having a connected hotel room is no longer a luxury, but something almost all guests expect. Unless you manage a yoga retreat or tech escape, constant connectivity is a must.
Digital conference facilities. Along those lines, nearly all conferences rely on visuals, digital equipment and heavy use of AV. While most of us can figure out how to connect our smartphones to the provided projectors, it’s always a plus when the hotel can offer a seamless conference experience for both hosts and attendees.
Smart room keys. While it’s charming to offer old-school keys, most guests expect to be able to swipe a card or their phone to gain access to their room.

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

Uncomplicate Your Staff Safety Tech: Why Easier Is Better

April 12, 2021/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

If you take a look at your desk right now you’ll probably see one or two favorite tech toys you reach for multiple times daily without giving it a second thought. Take another look around and you might notice several tech devices you rarely remember to charge, much less use. Whether they’re outdated, unwieldy or just too hard to figure out, chances are good that you bought and then forgot about devices you thought would make life easier.

We’re all stressed enough as it is

Early this year the American Psychological Association (APA) released a poll about stress levels in the country. Stress in America: January 2021 Stress Snapshot revealed some disturbing statistics about the way our stress and anxiety keep increasing.

On a scale from one to ten, with one meaning barely any stress and 10 meaning extreme stress, the average adult reported a nearly 5.6 stress level. While that might not seem to be tipping the scale to stress, it is significantly higher than last year just after the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic.

Even more sobering was the fact that the stress level of essential workers keeps increasing.

Next gen tech is more sophisticated- but easier to use

In a recent feature on ABC News affiliate WCVB 5, Chief National Consumer Correspondent Jeff Rossen wrote about post-pandemic gadgets. Several of the devices shared were inspired by our new day-to-day usage habits and the evolution of the way we interact with others, albeit on a more limited basis.

From kiosks with constantly shifting buttons, to a video doorbell that also takes your guests’ temperature, the recurring theme was ease of use. In other words, as the technology became more advanced, the way to use it was cut down to a step or two.

As more businesses — especially those in the hotel, hospitality and casino industries— open up again, there will be the need for training for new and returning staff. Add to that the new panic button legislations and it’s likely that your staffers might already be feeling a bit frazzled. The last thing you want is to add more stress to their working day by outfitting them with tech that’s difficult to use.

**4 things to consider before buying new safety tech for your staff:**

Keep it simple, supervisors: Your staff is stressed out enough, they don’t have time or mental bandwidth to learn complicated new protocols and operating systems.In a potential emergency, the only thing your staff needs to focus on is getting to a safe place while informing others there’s an extreme situation.There’s neither time or need for any bells or whistles. With safety tech and panic buttons, the goal is to easily implement the device. Imagine if in the event of a potential emergency, a complicated protocol had to be followed. Imagine the time wasted if a housekeeper in potential danger had to inform their supervisor who would then contact their supervisor until a request for help made its way up the corporate food chain. Or worse, what if there was a long password followed by symbols and emergency phrasing that had to be entered before people could access help?At Relay, we designed our panic buttons and system to be easy and intuitive. Our design team realized that it’s key to minimize stress in already stressful situations. Push a button and let others know you need help, and that’s it. In an emergency situation it can be hard to concentrate, much less even remember anything other than needing help and accessing it immediately.At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.
What does the instruction manual look like? Not all of us read instruction manuals and most of us have extensive training for all staff members. And while some kitchen gadgets come with booklets that might contain 50 or more pages, others manage to pare down the instructions to a single sheet. Before investing in something to be used by your staff, buy a sample for yourself and read the instruction manual. Is it easy to understand? Or after trying to read a manual and set up a device at least a half dozen times do you feel like banging your head against the wall? If the instructions seem too complicated, chances are good the product itself won’t be easy to use, much less train your staff to implement in any efficient manner.
What are they using now? While some Windows or Mac loyalists argue over which operating system reigns supreme, hospitality industry employees simply use whichever system is already in place. But are they using the system you’ve set up well or efficiently? If you notice your staff is shying away from trying out the computer or tablets or tools that exist to make their work lives easier, find one that requires the least amount of thought possible. Productivity suffers when using work tools becomes too complicated. So does safety. If it’s hard to use, people will stop using it.
Your staff might have an opinion on panic buttons: Your distanced staffers simply want to feel safe. But as the panic button laws roll out, they probably have had conversations amongst themselves about what they do or don’t want. This could be a great opportunity to reach out to your staff to talk about panic buttons and find out if they have favorites, likes or dislikes. It will take some stress out of the situation while also allowing them to weigh in, ask questions and gain reassurance that you want to make this as easy and stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

7 reasons why Panic Buttons are the best thing to happen to your business

March 29, 2021/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

If you work in the hospitality industry, chances are good you’ve been hearing a lot of news and information related to the new panic button legislation. And as many of us understand this is a great move for the industry, it’s hard to be relaxed about a topic that has the word panic built into the name.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

Take the panic out of panic buttons:

If you stop to think about it, panic buttons are probably the best thing to happen to hotels and casinos in years, and here’s why.

It builds up your brand reputation: Inc reported that 69% of job seekers would reject a job offer from a company with a bad reputation. While legally all in the hospitality sector will eventually have to give panic buttons to specific employees — especially solo workers and housekeeping staff— some are still dragging their feet about the process. By being one of the first to outfit your staff with panic buttons, you show guests and even potential investors that you take the business of both safety and hospitality very seriously. In a sometimes gossipy industry, being one of the first to take safety concerns seriously gets you and your property talked about in the best way possible.
You’ll retain more employees: Training new staff can sometimes feel like a full-time job in itself. But what about training staff who then leave if they don’t feel safe or protected by their employers? By ensuring that your staff has new and working panic buttons, you’re letting them know that you’re invested in their safety and wellbeing. This automatically reminds them how important they are to your company overall.
Workers will be less distracted: On a practical level, a panic button allows hotel and casino staff to better pay attention to the work at hand. If someone is constantly looking for a way to contact management in case of an emergency, they probably won’t be able to work as efficiently or effectively. By giving them a panic button connected to a larger network, you’re handing them peace of mind as well. They can pay attention to the task at hand and know that if a guest behaves inappropriately, all they have to do is push a button and help is on the way.
You can shore up the safety on trouble spots: While no one wants to hear that their property is unsafe, the reality is that many workers are sexually harassed or worse on hotel property. By monitoring the activity on panic buttons, hotel safety staff can better understand if certain areas of the property are less safe, poorly lit or otherwise not as safe as the rest of the property.
You’ll better support your security staff: The reality of modern life is that emergencies happen and security staff needs to be constantly on high alert. Knowing that your entire team has rapid connectivity in the event of an emergency means that your security staff can better manage their own resources as needed.
You’ll be more reassured about remote areas of the property: Most hotel management won’t admit how stressful it can be to fully monitor every single foot of the property. If your staff is fully outfitted with panic buttons operating on a secure network, they’ll be able to connect with anyone on the property if needed. While it won’t replace surveillance and security staff, it’s another way of empowering workers and keeping them safer.
You appear less vulnerable to potential mischief makers: Let’s face it, there are a lot of individuals who surveil properties in the hopes of finding and then later exploiting vulnerabilities. If your staff all have visible panic buttons, it sends a message to anyone looking to rob a property or sexually harass your staff that they will be immediately reported and hopefully caught. In this case the panic button speaks volumes without anyone saying a word.

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are compliant, affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

3 Ways to Do More With Fewer Resources

March 23, 2021/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

No matter how well-funded your company is or how carefully you plan out your budget, there are times when spending has to stop. Even if there’s promise of more in the future, for the time being you have to learn how to make do with fewer resources.

The year that changed everything:

For many of us, last year was that moment. Maybe it was a smaller staff or less access to the resources needed to run your business. Whatever it was, COVID-19 also cut down on most of our spending and socializing. And nearly all of the experiential moments in our lives including live entertainment, travel and dining out, ground to a halt. More than that, it felt like anyone even peripherally connected to the hospitality industry had to tighten their collective belts and make do with less.

Making less seem like more:

Many are still struggling with trying to keep up morale — and appearances — when making do with less. To help you figure it out, we spent some time brainstorming and came up with 3 creative (and sort of sneaky) ways to make it seem as if everything is exactly as it should be.

The Relay difference:
If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are compliant, affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

Frame it differently:
To paraphrase Mary Poppins, a spoonful of sugar really does make the medicine go down. In other words, think about all the creative words and expressions we use. For instance we’ve taken the idea of junking and turned it into a more creative and beautiful alternative, upcycling. Instead of presenting fewer resources as a calamity, try to present it as a timely option. In our newer work universes, things are often pared down. Perhaps your new approach is one of minimalism or a bare bones approach. Or maybe you’re trying to work to create a more streamlined process and that might mean eliminating the excess that makes days more crowded and less productive. And have fun with the announcements if at all possible. Let your team know that you’re going to cut monthly meetings down and increase coffee breaks. In that way you’re rewarding them for integrating this new approach.
Choose multi-tasking tools/and become more collaborative
Remember when Zoom and Slack were simply descriptors and not part of our everyday life? Well, our frequently distanced work environments mean that many on our teams will continue to work remotely for a while. And that’s a good thing if you’re going through a time when you have fewer resources.This would be a great time to introduce new tools to your team. In this way you allow everyone to stay in touch and continue to feel the connectivity even as the daily resources might otherwise have dwindled. We’ve heard from people who connect with colleagues over short Loom video trainings or who find different ways to collaborate on projects on Asana.And if you want to find ways to reward your staff, try to create modified versions instead of the over the top ones. Maybe your team had epic cocktail parties each month. While people seem to have tired of Zoom cocktail parties, what if you sent team members a gift of a mixology lesson or flower arranging course or something that allows all of you to meet in a way that seems luxurious but might actually cost a fraction of an in-person event

In this way you remind your team how important they are to you while cutting costs and creatively reinforcing just how important they are to the continued success of your company.
Turn it into a team-building experience:
One of the more frustrating elements of working within a team utilizing fewer resources is the feeling of helplessness. Added to that is the panic that having less means fewer jobs are the next logical step and that your own position is suddenly precarious.

If you’re charged with figuring out how to do your best with less, try to incorporate team members to help you figure it all out. “Try to make it collaborative,” suggests Andres Lares, Managing partner at Shapiro Negotiations Institute. “If there are aspects of the decision (fewer resources) that haven’t been made, try to include employees – small groups, survey for all, etc. and allow them to voice their opinion.” Lares, who’s also co-author of Persuade:The 4-Step Process to Influence People and Decisions which will be out in July, said by doing so “ This not only will help to end up with a better result, it will also make them more committed since they had a say in the process, decision, communication, etc.”

Adding to that idea, there might be elements that you think are crucial that your team members might never use. Maybe it’s a license for a product that no one ever bothered to figure out, or even an incentive that’s wholly disinteresting. By working with your team you also empower them to decide on their priorities and thereby make it a collective decision to cut down.

And if anyone grumbles, try to build credibility. Lares advises making sure that you “communicate that you have actually have their best interest in mind. This will make the change – especially if it’s a loss – more palatable.”

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

How to train new staff to best use employee safety technology

March 17, 2021/in Relay for Business /by Travis Aptt

The hospitality industry is undergoing a lot of exciting changes as the panic button legislation continues to roll out nationally. But along with the relief at having better protections for distanced staffers, come new challenges as well. After all, what good are these new panic buttons if your staff isn’t completely clear on best uses and practices? More than that, if your employees aren’t used to relying on technology on a daily basis, how can they be expected to automatically adapt to the idea of potentially using panic buttons as part of their daily routines?

Set training goals:

Before you move forward with training your staff create measurable and actionable goals to be shared as needed. Before your next meeting on the subject, try to address at least some of the following questions:

12 questions to cover before your staff trainings:

How much time do you plan on allocating to creation of employee safety training?
Will these be in-person training sessions, digital training or recorded sessions?
How many languages will you offer training in?
Who poses the greatest potential threat to employee safety?
How will you know if the training is successful?
Will you offer refresher courses at any point in the future?
How often will staff panic buttons be tested?
Will you offer actual drills to test out the new devices?
Will you offer tiered learning programs, or will all staff members learn at the same time on the same level?
How will you address any glitches in your response time?
How will you keep a record of the times panic buttons are deployed?
Will you have local law enforcement involved in the training process?

Digital natives vs. less tech adept counterparts

Another potential glitch in the process depends on the age of your staff or at the least their comfort level in using technology. While digital natives might think of panic buttons as just another expected update in their work life, staffers who are newer to tech might have a hard time getting used to these new devices.

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are compliant, affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

Learning from students

The Afterschool Tech Toolkit is an online resource for empowering students and training them on how to access and use tech outside of the classroom.They created some training modules to help individuals and companies learn to train and support staff in the use of technology. While the module was theoretically geared toward students, it also offers very common sense wisdom and understanding including the idea of “building staff comfort and confidence” in using new technology.

Before distributing panic buttons to your staff, you can come up with informal training sessions or methods to increase ease of use.

Increase their comfort level: Is there a way you can work with your own staff to build their comfort level in always keeping their panic buttons close at hand? What about easy to remember tricks to deploying the button only in an emergency? If you present the devices with confidence and build in the opportunity for initial glitches, you reassure your staff that it’s an ongoing process and that you’re all learning as you go.
Make it fun if possible: Another challenge posed in the student training module was realizing that “It may feel exhausting for staff to focus on both their day-to-day responsibilities and learning new skills, apps, devices, and systems.” Is there a way to make the training more fun, or to gamify the process? It might sound weird, but timing the response of others or creating an informal marathon with actual prizes awarded might reinforce staffers to the value of learning how to properly use their new panic buttons.
Explain the added benefits: The 2017 National Education Technology Plan raised an interesting idea of upskilling those you’re educating. If you are able to impart the message to your staff that by undergoing training they are simultaneously improving their safety while upgrading their own skillset, the training in itself becomes something worth paying attention to. Take it a step further, can you create some sort of interior documentation that has necessary steps completed along with a certificate of completion? While your informal certification is mostly decorative, it also gives employees a feeling of accomplishment along with a document to refer back to if needed.
Acknowledge that lone workers might need completely different training: Lone worker safety is an issue that is often addressed in other industries, but that doesn’t mean the lessons aren’t universal for hotel or casino staff as well. Back in 2014, the site org — which deals with the spectrum of worker safety issues— explained some of the risks lone employees face that might not be automatically obvious to the rest of staffers or management. From working off-hours to dealing with medical conditions while somewhat isolated, lone workers including housekeeping staff have special needs that should be addressed thoughtfully in training as well.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

Legal disclaimer: While we hope the content we provide is interesting and informative, it in no way is meant to be used as a substitute for legal counsel. All content on the blog section of this website is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete or up to date. None of the information provided is intended to be used in place of advice or consultation with legal or law enforcement professional.