These quick tips are designed to help you get through these hard times. If you have any tips that you want to share, send them to marketing@tourismtiger.com(opens in a new tab)
These are undeniably challenging times for business owners. But what about your guides? The ongoing stress and anxiety the pandemic has caused is palpable. While we have all felt the effects of the pandemic in our respective ways, guides are the face that your guests encounter. We’ve written before about keeping your guides safe(opens in a new tab), but when was the last time you checked in with them to see how they’re doing? When it comes to dealing with the public, a happy guide will translate to happy guests, which is exactly what your business needs. Taking a moment to connect with your employees, and maybe even plan a group activity outside of work hours will help the whole team generate a good laugh, and in the long run the benefits are even greater.
Prioritize Mental Health
In the same way you care for your guests’ physical wellbeing, circumstantially, the mental health of your employees is also at increased risk(opens in a new tab). If you’ve taken precautions to physically protect your guides, that’s one checkmark for you. But in a time when many feel isolated, work has become one of the few points of regular contact that individuals have with others. Accordingly, create a space for honesty with your employees. If they feel like you’re being transparent with them, they’ll likely do the same.
What Can You Do
Don’t underestimate the bonds that are formed in the workplace. Organize a Friday afternoon activity. Respecting social distance or other local laws, take a bit of time to talk about non work-related things. When it comes to virtual employees, there is still lots of fun to be had. Skribbl(opens in a new tab), is a favorite of ours here at Tourism Tiger. Happy employees are motivated employees. And employees that feel supported in all aspects of their job tend to put that much more effort into doing the best work possible.
Take Care of Yourself Too
While these are stressful times, even though you have employees to worry about, it’s important to be honest with yourself about your own wellbeing and mental health. Find the outlets that work best for you. Spend some time outdoors, do activities with your family, and focus on positive news(opens in a new tab). With eager travellers slowly but surely venturing out, and businesses finding inspiration all around(opens in a new tab) in addition to discovering ways to pivot(opens in a new tab), there are still lots of opportunities out there!
Creating a good work environment is nothing new but it should still be a priority, particularly during these times. At the end of the day, you and your employees are a team!
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