Every resort manager knows there are many advantages to outsourcing services such as housekeeping.  But how do you take the risk out of outsourcing?  Many resorts and management companies are shifting their perspective from locating outsource providers to developing relationships with strategic partners.

The difference is more than semantics.  The thought of contracting a vendor for critical services may be unnerving because you feel you could lose control and connectivity.

Moving those services to a strategic partner should have a completely different feel...and result.  Although a contract is involved, a strategic partnership is relationship based.  The old win-lose approach to price and service negotiations is replaced with a win-win approach where each partner looks out after the other.  The success of each is reciprocal.

Where do you start looking for a strategic partner?  Begin with trust; you cannot have a relationship without it.  Trust is built through proven integrity, capability, and commitment.  What provider has uncompromising integrity in its leadership?  What provider has a proven track record of providing quality service?    What provider is willing to learn your culture and embrace those characteristics that give your resort competitive advantage?  Identify that provider, and you may have revealed your strategic partner.