The HR team at BON Hotels are often complimented for their creative and original ideas in their approach to staff incentives and training. One such good idea comes in the form of the Best of BON Employee of the Month award in recognition of work performance, being a true ambassador of the BON brand and embracing the company’s ethos and vision. To add to it, an annual award is also up for grabs.
Each month all hotel employees at each property are given the opportunity to nominate one candidate of their choice and to give a reason for their nomination, such as positive attitude, helpfulness and work ethic – this is communicated to the winning staff member and goes a long way to lifting morale and highlighting recognition for a job well done! “The winning employee from each of the properties is made a rather big fuss of; they receive a certificate, wear a special badge and get treated to a voucher,” says Craig Swart, General Manager of BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal.
he coveted annual prize, also voted for by each employee, is an all expenses covered stay at any BON Hotels property, giving the winner a taste of hospitality from a guest perspective. Some have never even stayed in a hotel so it is a real treat, but it also gives them insight as to how the guests are and should be treated. Past winner Laura Mangunda says, “I was really proud to be nominated by my fellow-employees for my hard work, and to get to stay over at a BON Hotel was awesome. It’s clever too, because I got to see and experience things from a guest perspective – I learnt a lot about what our guests expect and I have some new things to add to my skills which will hopefully get me voted for, again!”
Besides being used as a means of reward, the employee stay-over initiative also incentivises employees to perform better and work harder – it forms part of their learning as to the little nuances that enhance the guest experience, from service to maintenance, to food & beverage, reception and etiquette. Brenda Diedericks, the group’s HR Director, continues to create an environment of putting her people first and mirrors author, Maya Angelou’s quote of, “Good done anywhere is good done everywhere.” She believes that people are your brand and happy employees make for a successful business and ultimately, happy guests.
