Uploaded byBrian G. Dowling
Prototype and Test
The document discusses the challenges faced by entry-level hospitality managers transitioning from school to work, highlighting the need for continued career support beyond this initial phase. Proposed solutions include creating an online platform for peer support, a simulation game for realistic training, and recorded TED-like training talks by experienced professionals. These initiatives aim to enhance training opportunities, foster collaboration, and improve advancement prospects within the hospitality industry.
Prototype and Test
- 1. I interviewed ayoung man who very recently graduated with a hospitality major from a California University. Even more recently got his first level entry position. The college and industry actually do a good job in terms of school to work transition support and have a great deal of communication and cross-over of leadership. This seems to be less so once the stakeholder makes the initial transition. Hotel General Managers are held in high regard. There is though a level of front desk management, who are the primary source of on-the-job training but some can also act as an obstacle to advancement which must be overcome. The most practical way is to jump to another hotel so there is little loyalty to a any particular brand in the industry. At the same time, stakeholders usually have to navigate this maze when they are beginning to think about starting a family. Empathy Map Stakeholder - Entry level hospitality manager Need - Career support beyond immediate transition from school to work Insight - First line training. potentially haphazardly conducted, resulting in loss of opportunity Proposed Solution - Online system that is created and maintained by entry level managers that use it for online training, competitive interaction and mutual support. 3 Focused Solutions • Create an Internet Platform for new entry level managers This would be focused on entry level hotel managers to connect with each other online for the ability to support each other by providing advice and setting up a variety of programs and tools. An extension of the LinkedIn concept but dedicated to Hotel Management. • Create Sims-like hotel business game to serve as a means of training. Use a situational realistic online game to train level entry managers, could extend the concept into a 2nd life scenario role playing. Game could be made competitive and provide real life situations without dire consequences. Prototype and Test
- 2. • Create onlineTED-like GM introduced or lead training talks. Instead of depending upon Frontline managers, who likely should be doing other things on a daily basis, have recorded videos of training sessions introduced and/or conducted by GMs or other experienced professionals and educators which can be used over again. Protoype 1: Sketch (first webpage template) for home webpage of an Internet platform designed and dedicated primarily for entry level hospitality managers based on a LinkedIn or Govloop concept. Red thought balloons provide information on what the user would be interacting with while using the program. Blue thought balloons indicate what the computer is connected to underneath the surface of the interface. It was soon realized that this prototype could include a number of the ideas raised during the Ideate phase, including the most disruptive and the easiest, practical and still viable ideas to implement. Clicking on the Training Modules link (Stakeholders current level achieved is shown adjacent on the screen) in the section of the New Hospitality Managers Association webpage dealing with training would open up a new webpage - Training Module (second webpage template). Again, Red thought balloons provide information on what the user would be interacting with while using the program. Blue thought balloons indicate what the computer is connected to underneath the surface of the interface. Prototype 2: The Hotel Par Excellence game (third webpage template) as a stand alone program. This game is based on a platform similar to Sim City or other similar games. The interface has player options which can be selected from the types of hotels, to areas of management, to competing on multi-player teams. The Hotel Par Excellence game can also be made part of Prototype 1. Under that scenario certain features can be expanded upon. Managerial challenges can be made more realistic. At the end of a game, there could be suggestions regarding more formal training options found under the Training Modules link of Prototype 1. For more advance play after reaching a certain level of proficiency, a platform based on Second Life could be created providing yet greater realism to advanced challenges requiring greater collaborative teamwork. Prototype and Test
- 3. Name Picture Information Type ofWork Geographical Location Shared Contact Information Associations Groups Clubs Teams Training Level Training Modules (Latest Completed) Training Videos Status Hotel Par Excellence Game Rankings New Hospitality Managers Association Name of stakeholder entry level manager Picture of entry level manager Entry level managers self-chosen status Similar to LinkedIn and GovLoop Game similar to Sim City platform Area worked in, location (general or specific) and select personal information Training module shows current training level, formally structured training & online lessons and training videos Stakeholder/ Entry level manager can belong to Groups based on common skills sets or Clubs based on Hotel Brand or different teams for Hotel Sim-like game. Can be linked to private journal Can be linked to list of selected associates Linked individual webpages Linked to Game Page Linked to individual webpages Prototype 1
- 4. Training Module Training Videos Level1 Level 2 Level 3 Online Testing and Evaluations Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Mentor or Supervisor Feedback Create online TED like GM talks for training Different levels of complexity Different levels of difficulty Similar to online training courses with evaluations as to progress Stakeholder can get real world feedback from supervisor or chosen mentor Part of ProtoType 1 Choose different options Choose different options
- 5. Hotel Par ExcellenceGame Hotel 1 Hotel 2 Hotel 3 Hotel 4 Hotel 5 Management Arena Sales Management Arena Operations Management Arena Special Events Teams Ranking Based on platform similar to Sim City games but expandable to include Second Life role playing Choose among different hotels, types, price point, locations, perhaps different brands Allows entry level manager to virtually try out different specialized areas of hotel management Teams that stakeholder on which stakeholder competes Stakeholder's individual and team rankings. Prototype 1 At the end of game,formal training recommnedatons Part of Prototype 1 Prototype 2 as stand alone app