Take the Not-So-Giant Leap to Proactive Operations

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, shares America’s next chapter in space exploration in his recent CNN article.

“One of my earliest memories is sitting on my grandfather's shoulders, waving a flag as our astronauts returned to Hawaii. This was years before we'd set foot on the moon. Decades before we'd land a rover on Mars. A generation before photos from the International Space Station would show up in our social media feeds.”

He continues, “I still have the same sense of wonder about our space program that I did as a child. It represents an essential part of our character -- curiosity and exploration, innovation and ingenuity, pushing the boundaries of what's possible and doing it before anybody else. The space race we won not only contributed immeasurably important technological and medical advances, but it also inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers with the right stuff to keep America on the cutting edge.”

Barack Obama Proclaims America’s Giant Leap to Mars

Cutting edge? We can relate.

Obama then makes it very clear later in his article how cutting-edge America plans to be.

“We have set a clear goal vital to the next chapter of America's story in space: sending humans to Mars by the 2030s and returning them safely to Earth, with the ultimate ambition to one day remain there for an extended time.”

This mission got us thinking.

If America is ready to make the giant leap to Mars, what’s keeping properties around the world from achieving similar success?

Proactive Operations is a not-so-giant leap that world-class properties can make to be and stay cutting edge.

So, why the wait?

Time is up. Are you ready to take the leap necessary to achieve maximum performance?

3 Ways Proactive Operations Is Attainable

Are you familiar with Proactive Operations?

Either way, keep reading because you’ll gain insight on the steps necessary to employ a proactive operation.

Proactive Operations is a three-part methodology for maximizing the performance of your operation:

Strategy
Infrastructure
Technology

But, what many leaders might miss is the order in which it should be employed.

It’s a gradient that requires you to complete one aspect of the method before moving on to the next.

Some operations understand their strategy, others rely on a robust infrastructure, and others have first-class technology but none of the other aspects.

This shortfall is where operations lose performance.

We’re here to help you do it right.

How to Build Your Proactive Operation

Developing your proactive operation is not as demanding as a mission to Mars.

It does require strategy, infrastructure, and technology just on a smaller scale, though.

First, start with your strategy.

This step is where you learn about your current or new operation.

Dissect every aspect of the operation using the ACDA Principle™.

Identify your weaknesses, strengths, what you don’t want, and what you think would benefit your particular operation.

Ask important questions that revolve around awareness, communication, documentation, and analytics.

How can we improve awareness?
What would enhance communication?
Do we need digital documentation?
Can we analyze past events?

This exercise opens the door to ideas and opportunities you never considered. It will change your operation for the better.

These changes give your operation the longevity it requires. This first step is how you decide ‘to get to Mars and back.’

Next, you’ll build your infrastructure.

This step is where you create your command center.

“Houston, we have no problems.”

Just like a mission to Mars, you will need the support necessary to make each day or event successful.

Regardless of your type of operation, you must create a smooth flow of information.

This structure reduces noise, clutter, and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.

Organize and determine where and how each department communicates:

Administration
Concessions
Dispatch
Facility Maintenance
Fire Rescue
Housekeeping
IT
Parking Operations
Police
Security

Segmenting your need-to-know departments is possible by organizing their physical location – and via software.

Lastly, it’s time to augment your ‘mission’ with modernized technology.

For example, using an incident management system enhances your infrastructure capabilities by segmenting department information.

Each department will see only their issues or incidents to be handled.

This segmentation skyrockets your internal performance.

How?

Your department reps are no longer overwhelmed by the influx of various calls to your command center.

They can focus on their own departmental responsibilities. They perform expertly to ensure an efficient and safe environment for guests and staff.

But, don’t stop there.

Technology introduces tremendous possibilities that extend beyond your internal operation to your guests.

Are you familiar with text communication?

Text communication is a solution used by the world’s greatest properties. It allows your guests to participate in the safety efforts of your property.

Using two-way communication between guests and staff allows guests to report issues and incidents or ask questions in a discreet manner.

Now you’re able to mitigate incidents and problems as they happen.

A fight is spotted: from the text communication solution, the incident enters your incident management system, and then mobile personnel is notified via their incident management mobile apps for faster response.
A cup holder breaks: a guest texts in, your dispatcher transfers the details to your CMMS where your maintenance team issues a work order to fix the cup holder in no time.

How’s that for Proactive Operations?

(Interested in reading an in-depth article on Proactive Operations? Check this out.)