Table of Content<\/h4>\n\n- What is a Hotel Vendor?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Why do Hotels Need to Outsource Certain Services\/Products?<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Choose a Hotel Supplier?<\/a><\/li>\n
\n- Perform guest analysis<\/a><\/li>\n
- Identify what all things you need to outsource<\/a><\/li>\n
- Research about different suppliers online<\/a><\/li>\n
- Find a one-stop supplier for all your needs<\/a><\/li>\n
- The pricing should be fair\/reasonable\/negotiable<\/a><\/li>\n
- The supplier should offer consistent quality products<\/a><\/li>\n
- Leverage existing relationships with vendors<\/a><\/li>\n
- Check whether the vendor\u2019s staff is professional<\/a><\/li>\n
- The supplier should have a good after-sales service<\/a><\/li>\n
- Check references before selecting a vendor<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
What is a Hotel Vendor?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA hotel vendor or a hotel distributor is a party (business or person) in the supply chain that makes goods available to hotels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many might wonder, whether a vendor is just a seller or it also manufactures. Well, a vendor can operate as both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, how do vendors work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The method of business varies from vendor to vendor. It could either work on a contract basis or one-time purchase or any other model. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy do Hotels Need to Outsource Certain Services\/Products?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI am pretty sure; you must be wondering \u2014 why on earth would someone outsource food?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe reasons for this are solid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Certain areas in a hotel cannot be managed by the hotel itself; the efficiency decreases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not just that. At times, setting and managing these areas costs an arm and a leg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was a time when hotel reservations were taken on excel sheets. But the process was inefficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hotels needed an advanced system that could do much more than just handle reservations. But again, building a system like that wasn\u2019t a hotel\u2019s forte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if the ones who built had to burn much more cash than they planned. On top of that, it was dead like a doorknob.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon, SaaS came into the picture and offered hotels a cloud-based property management system (PMS)<\/a> that solves everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHotels just need to pay the vendor and get the PMS that is more like plug and play. They don\u2019t even have to build heavy servers that would bust their chops. Everything is on the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SaaS vendors today hold great value in the industry for what they provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is not just the technological elements; many hotels outsource an entire department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To give you an idea, here\u2019s an example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stephanie has recently opened a <\/em><\/strong>motel<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. She has set up everything perfectly and things are working fine. The food is one of the major reasons her motel has gained so much popularity.<\/em><\/strong>\n\nWhat she has done is, instead of setting up a kitchen in-house, she works with a vendor who takes care of the food department. All she needs to do is pay them monthly.<\/em><\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\nHow to Choose a Hotel Supplier?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow, let\u2019s address the elephant in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following points will help you decide what are the things to look for. Like I said in the beginning, it would be great if you use them as a checklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Perform guest analysis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe reason you need to perform the guest analysis is that it will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The whole idea is to learn what supplies do hotels need, based on the guests\u2019 preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Identify what all things you need to outsource<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019re done with the analysis part, list the things you need to outsource. However, you don\u2019t have to outsource everything that you identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the list is ready, rule out all the less-important ones. This is like a filtration process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, you have identified that guests have been using your vending machine a lot. But you have also identified that guests are leaving bad reviews about the duvets. (https:\/\/poshsidekick.com\/<\/a>) <\/em><\/strong>
Now, you have two items on the list.<\/em><\/strong>
You might want to consider upgrading your vending machine. But what about the duvets? Your vending machines are working fine, but the latter one needs more attention.<\/em><\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\nI hope you\u2019re getting the point. It\u2019s about setting the right priority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Research about different suppliers online<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOnce you have decided on all the products you need to get, you have to find the best supplier. You can start your search by going on the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, be mindful of the fact that it\u2019s easy to get lost in the rabbit hole of research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, keep your research limited to certain aspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, you can start by just exploring manufacturers. If you don\u2019t find anything, then look for wholesalers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Find a one-stop supplier for all your needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe idea of a one-stop supplier is simple \u2014 customers can get all they need in just “one-stop”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best way to explain this is by the example of a hotel PMS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are multiple departments in a hotel and incorporating different systems for each department costs a fortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where a hotel PMS comes into the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A hotel PMS provider offers a wide range of solutions. The system itself helps properties manage all their operations, from a single dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over and above, they also offer services like revenue and marketing management<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis goes the same way for other requirements as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. The pricing should be fair\/reasonable\/negotiable<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nRunning a hotel already costs a bomb and you always have to keep things within your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, whenever you get in talks with a supplier or a vendor, make sure you negotiate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No doubt, product quality matters. But just because a supplier is offering top-notch products, you can\u2019t afford to drain your hard-earned currency on duvets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are plenty of fish in the sea. I am sure you\u2019ll find someone that does the job at a price that doesn\u2019t hurt your pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6.<\/strong> The supplier should offer consistent quality products<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNow, this is very important. You have to keep running product inspections from your end as well. Ensure that the vendor is not playing around with the product quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me share a personal experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I judge a hotel by their bathroom products (yes, I am that person)! There\u2019s a nice hotel in my town and I go there every month to rejuvenate myself. The hotel always places quality bathroom essentials and it impresses me every time.<\/strong><\/em>
But on my last visit, the shower gel they used was expired. I called them up and informed them about it. They were shocked too because they got the products just a day before.<\/strong><\/em><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis is what happens. When you outsource things in bulk, there are chances of such events. So, it is supremely important to check everything thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there\u2019s something wrong, get it replaced by the vendor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all, at the end of the day, it\u2019s your hotel that faces criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Leverage existing relationships with vendors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnother way to find suppliers and vendors for your property is by getting in touch with your contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember that hotel distributor you met at that conference who later became a good friend? Why don\u2019t you just ask him?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nOr, how about Mr Daniel who runs a bed sheet manufacturing unit?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you have such connections, do make the most out of them. They are, most of the time, great to work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Check whether the vendor\u2019s staff is professional<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWondering why this should be a concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s an example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have recently installed metal detectors on your property for a security check. But suddenly one of the detectors stopped working and you have requested the vendor to send their technicians.<\/em><\/strong>
When the technicians arrive at the site, they just fix it and leave, without even explaining the issue. <\/em><\/strong>
Would you like that? Obviously no!<\/em><\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFixing an error is one thing, but a professional always answers all the queries. It also explains everything that you need to keep in mind to avoid such breakdowns in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. The supplier should have a good after-sales service<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe above point also has a direct connection with this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A supplier must provide great after-sales support. If you face any issue with the products, you should get a quick resolution for that \u2014 be it a refund or a replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over and above, the hotel supplier should reach out to its customers after a purchase to ensure that their experience is as good as it can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Check references before selecting a vendor<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOne more thing you can do is check references for the hotel suppliers you have shortlisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try getting in touch with their existing customers and ask if the vendor is reliable. Or, ask anything that you have in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no wrong with such a move. After all, you\u2019re going to spend a good amount of money on outsourcing all the products you need.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nOutlook<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Running a hotel involves a lot of rarae aves scenarios. While many hotels successfully manage everything, many get lost in the process.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
One of the common scenarios of such hurdles is know how to choose the right hotel suppliers for different departmental needs.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There are a gazillion suppliers of the hotel industry available. However, not all of them walk the talk. While many don\u2019t provide quality products, many are supremely expensive.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re new to the hospitality industry or even someone who\u2019s cutting down on the budget, it is important to find a middle ground. So that you successfully maintain your hotel\u2019s image while delivering a great experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In this blog, I have tried to cover the most essential points to keep in mind while selecting a hotel vendor. You can follow them and also add your points (if needed).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Let me know in the comments if you have any queries in your mind. I would love to address them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"All-in-one](\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/502973\/e7b4d254-f5c7-4f2d-b194-4f8788458eb4.png\")
- \n
- Perform guest analysis<\/a><\/li>\n
- Identify what all things you need to outsource<\/a><\/li>\n
- Research about different suppliers online<\/a><\/li>\n
- Find a one-stop supplier for all your needs<\/a><\/li>\n
- The pricing should be fair\/reasonable\/negotiable<\/a><\/li>\n
- The supplier should offer consistent quality products<\/a><\/li>\n
- Leverage existing relationships with vendors<\/a><\/li>\n
- Check whether the vendor\u2019s staff is professional<\/a><\/li>\n
- The supplier should have a good after-sales service<\/a><\/li>\n
- Check references before selecting a vendor<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
What is a Hotel Vendor?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A hotel vendor or a hotel distributor is a party (business or person) in the supply chain that makes goods available to hotels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many might wonder, whether a vendor is just a seller or it also manufactures. Well, a vendor can operate as both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, how do vendors work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The method of business varies from vendor to vendor. It could either work on a contract basis or one-time purchase or any other model. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why do Hotels Need to Outsource Certain Services\/Products?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I am pretty sure; you must be wondering \u2014 why on earth would someone outsource food?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reasons for this are solid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Certain areas in a hotel cannot be managed by the hotel itself; the efficiency decreases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not just that. At times, setting and managing these areas costs an arm and a leg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was a time when hotel reservations were taken on excel sheets. But the process was inefficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hotels needed an advanced system that could do much more than just handle reservations. But again, building a system like that wasn\u2019t a hotel\u2019s forte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if the ones who built had to burn much more cash than they planned. On top of that, it was dead like a doorknob.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon, SaaS came into the picture and offered hotels a cloud-based property management system (PMS)<\/a> that solves everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hotels just need to pay the vendor and get the PMS that is more like plug and play. They don\u2019t even have to build heavy servers that would bust their chops. Everything is on the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SaaS vendors today hold great value in the industry for what they provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is not just the technological elements; many hotels outsource an entire department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To give you an idea, here\u2019s an example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stephanie has recently opened a <\/em><\/strong>motel<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. She has set up everything perfectly and things are working fine. The food is one of the major reasons her motel has gained so much popularity.<\/em><\/strong>\n\nWhat she has done is, instead of setting up a kitchen in-house, she works with a vendor who takes care of the food department. All she needs to do is pay them monthly.<\/em><\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
How to Choose a Hotel Supplier?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now, let\u2019s address the elephant in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following points will help you decide what are the things to look for. Like I said in the beginning, it would be great if you use them as a checklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Perform guest analysis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The reason you need to perform the guest analysis is that it will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The whole idea is to learn what supplies do hotels need, based on the guests\u2019 preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Identify what all things you need to outsource<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once you\u2019re done with the analysis part, list the things you need to outsource. However, you don\u2019t have to outsource everything that you identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the list is ready, rule out all the less-important ones. This is like a filtration process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, you have identified that guests have been using your vending machine a lot. But you have also identified that guests are leaving bad reviews about the duvets. (https:\/\/poshsidekick.com\/<\/a>) <\/em><\/strong>
Now, you have two items on the list.<\/em><\/strong>
You might want to consider upgrading your vending machine. But what about the duvets? Your vending machines are working fine, but the latter one needs more attention.<\/em><\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\nI hope you\u2019re getting the point. It\u2019s about setting the right priority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Research about different suppliers online<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once you have decided on all the products you need to get, you have to find the best supplier. You can start your search by going on the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, be mindful of the fact that it\u2019s easy to get lost in the rabbit hole of research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, keep your research limited to certain aspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, you can start by just exploring manufacturers. If you don\u2019t find anything, then look for wholesalers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Find a one-stop supplier for all your needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The idea of a one-stop supplier is simple \u2014 customers can get all they need in just “one-stop”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best way to explain this is by the example of a hotel PMS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are multiple departments in a hotel and incorporating different systems for each department costs a fortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where a hotel PMS comes into the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A hotel PMS provider offers a wide range of solutions. The system itself helps properties manage all their operations, from a single dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over and above, they also offer services like revenue and marketing management<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This goes the same way for other requirements as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. The pricing should be fair\/reasonable\/negotiable<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Running a hotel already costs a bomb and you always have to keep things within your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, whenever you get in talks with a supplier or a vendor, make sure you negotiate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No doubt, product quality matters. But just because a supplier is offering top-notch products, you can\u2019t afford to drain your hard-earned currency on duvets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are plenty of fish in the sea. I am sure you\u2019ll find someone that does the job at a price that doesn\u2019t hurt your pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6.<\/strong> The supplier should offer consistent quality products<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Now, this is very important. You have to keep running product inspections from your end as well. Ensure that the vendor is not playing around with the product quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me share a personal experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I judge a hotel by their bathroom products (yes, I am that person)! There\u2019s a nice hotel in my town and I go there every month to rejuvenate myself. The hotel always places quality bathroom essentials and it impresses me every time.<\/strong><\/em>
But on my last visit, the shower gel they used was expired. I called them up and informed them about it. They were shocked too because they got the products just a day before.<\/strong><\/em><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis is what happens. When you outsource things in bulk, there are chances of such events. So, it is supremely important to check everything thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there\u2019s something wrong, get it replaced by the vendor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all, at the end of the day, it\u2019s your hotel that faces criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Leverage existing relationships with vendors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another way to find suppliers and vendors for your property is by getting in touch with your contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember that hotel distributor you met at that conference who later became a good friend? Why don\u2019t you just ask him?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or, how about Mr Daniel who runs a bed sheet manufacturing unit?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have such connections, do make the most out of them. They are, most of the time, great to work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Check whether the vendor\u2019s staff is professional<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wondering why this should be a concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s an example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have recently installed metal detectors on your property for a security check. But suddenly one of the detectors stopped working and you have requested the vendor to send their technicians.<\/em><\/strong>
When the technicians arrive at the site, they just fix it and leave, without even explaining the issue. <\/em><\/strong>
Would you like that? Obviously no!<\/em><\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFixing an error is one thing, but a professional always answers all the queries. It also explains everything that you need to keep in mind to avoid such breakdowns in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. The supplier should have a good after-sales service<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The above point also has a direct connection with this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A supplier must provide great after-sales support. If you face any issue with the products, you should get a quick resolution for that \u2014 be it a refund or a replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over and above, the hotel supplier should reach out to its customers after a purchase to ensure that their experience is as good as it can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Check references before selecting a vendor<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One more thing you can do is check references for the hotel suppliers you have shortlisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try getting in touch with their existing customers and ask if the vendor is reliable. Or, ask anything that you have in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no wrong with such a move. After all, you\u2019re going to spend a good amount of money on outsourcing all the products you need.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nOutlook<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Running a hotel involves a lot of rarae aves scenarios. While many hotels successfully manage everything, many get lost in the process.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
One of the common scenarios of such hurdles is know how to choose the right hotel suppliers for different departmental needs.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There are a gazillion suppliers of the hotel industry available. However, not all of them walk the talk. While many don\u2019t provide quality products, many are supremely expensive.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re new to the hospitality industry or even someone who\u2019s cutting down on the budget, it is important to find a middle ground. So that you successfully maintain your hotel\u2019s image while delivering a great experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In this blog, I have tried to cover the most essential points to keep in mind while selecting a hotel vendor. You can follow them and also add your points (if needed).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Let me know in the comments if you have any queries in your mind. I would love to address them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
- Identify what all things you need to outsource<\/a><\/li>\n