Getting right manpower, defining their job roles, fixing the right salary, training & motivating all that you should know about…

My Pain:

How to source manpower?

How to manage Staff?

How to motivate Staff?

My experience:

Sourcing Manpower:

There are two ways to source

1. Sourcing Direct manpower:
   1. Get Referral from another serviced apartment network
   2. Contact local Agency like Private Eye Pvt. Ltd. Etc.
   3. Many cooks & caretakers have now registered in Google.
   4. Walk into a serviced apartments or Hotels and talk to supervisors
2. Outsource services:
   1. Outsource Kitchen:You can outsource your kitchen to a cook. I have an associate in my network she has outsourced her Kitchen. She runs an 18 room Serviced apartment in Banjara Hills Hyderabad.  In this model the cook will get his assistant. she allocated a functional kitchen to the cook, provided accommodation, Utensils & cutlery. He buys daily consumables for breakfast & meals. For every guest whose room rent includes breakfast, the cook will charge from the owner typically Rs @45 per breakfast. For all other kitchen services, he will directly bill to the guest & collect. Typical Lunch Thali he charges is Rs 100 per thali & Rs 200 for non-veg.
   2. Outsource Kitchen & Housekeeping: You can outsource the housekeeping also along with the kitchen which I have done in my Chennai Serviced apartments. For 12 rooms property the agency has put 5 staff (including cook) and I pay monthly @70,000 PM. I do not have to worry about the staff meals in this model which is a challenge otherwise. I only take care of their accommodation. I just have to audit and ensure the standards are maintained.

Managing Manpower:

First keep min 15 days of probation and understand his abilities, work ethics, personal Hygiene before allocating a dedicated role.

I have a 11-room (4 no’s 2BHK & a 3BHK in ground floor) serviced apartment in Bangalore Koramangala. The total manpower I have is 5. I have 1 for security, 2 for housekeeping, 1 main Cook & 1 assistant cook. I have offered accommodation to all in the terrace room and they have their own kitchen, I pay for their food. The reason for a separate kitchen is that I do not allow non-veg in my main kitchen for the guest.

Housekeeping Team role:

1. One boy has been allocated 2 nos. 2BHK, Terrace & GF open area
2. Second boy has been allocated 2 nos. 2BHK & GF 3BHK.
3. Early morning the boys start with terrace & common area cleaning
4. When the guest start leaving post 9.30 am then they get into housekeeping of flats.
5. They first open all windows for fresh air. They make the beds. Remove used linen & towel for laundry. Broom the floor, Clean Toilet & Mop the floor.
6. Typically, one boy is occupied for not more than 5 hrs in a day max.

Cooking Team role:

Main cook

1. Procures the consumables for the kitchen
2. Does all the cooking
3. Does billing as he is educated person
4. Does Check-in formalities of the guest.

Assistant Cook

1. Cleans & chops vegetables
2. Lays the dining table
3. Cleans all utensils
4. Serves the guest

Security Person

1. Security person guards during the day
2. He also assists picking the luggage of the guest.
3. He also does little bit of gardening and watering the plants.

Motivating Manpower:

1. Training is the most important part of operations. Following are the elements that must be reinforced.
   1. Dressing sense: We have given uniform & sandals. All must be groomed properly
   2. They have greet with a Namaskar to every guest whenever they meet.
   3. Mannerism, like when the guest is coming head-on. Stop and allow him to pass through. Not to speak loudly. Keep their phone on silent mode while working and not to take calls unless its emergency.
   4. Housekeeping staff is trained on how to make the bed.
   5. Explain the Check-in process. Its mandatory during check-in to explain about the timings, wifi – password, how to get hot water, which nos. to dial for reaching kitchen & reception; In-spite of an instruction card in the room
   6. Cooking team is trained on how to lay a table
   7. Dish preparation methods. Cooking oil usage. Making of proper Roti’s. Use of spices.
   8. How to maintain hygiene in the kitchen and over all property.
2. Salary must be in line with the market. I pay following to my team Cook Rs14000, Assistant cook Rs 10,000, Housekeeping Rs 10,000, Security Rs 15,000
3. I pay one month paid leave per annum with travel allowance.
4. I also pay annual Bonus
5. I pay medical expenses at actuals.
6. Any employee who works with me for more than 5 years I give a special bonus of 5 times his present monthly salary.
7. Give them Gifts on their Birthdays and wish them on their anniversaries.
8. I throw occasional parties and then I personally take the lead to cook myself & serve.
9. I explore extra talent in my boys and motivate them to take up some job like one boy is good at tailoring I bought him a sewing machine on his birthday and he has started taking small assignments on holidays & free time. Another boy is good at electrical work I am employed him as night duty electrician for my apartment complex.
10. I take care of their food as well.

My Conclusion:

I already have over 5 of my staff who have spent more than 5 years. When the staff is looked after with feelings from heart…they love to work with you even at lower salaries and loads of Loyalty. Please write your comment below if you find my blog useful.

Also Checkout:

• Starting a service apartment
• Setting up a service apartment