Michelle Williams
From Michelle Williams
Educate Your Teams, Educate Yourself
The Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP) was founded in 1999 with the aim of helping vacation rental companies provide outstanding housekeeping services. Since then, VRHP has widened its scope to include all property management operations, creating education and resources for the entire “back of the house.” This includes maintenance, laundry and inspections through articles, webinars and more. VRHP provides education and training for teams and individuals.
In addition to giving “how-to” lessons for cleaning, among other operational activities carried out by operations staff, VRHP also seeks to educate their managers and company executives. Topics in this area range from best practices for managing operational teams, to learning to create a Standard Appearance guide for properties. VRHP strongly encourages a holistic view of property management operations—specifically, how operations activity touches every other aspect of a vacation rental business. As an example, the physical reality of a property as a guest perceives it can make or break that guest’s experience; if a property is not clean or not in good repair, if the linens are stained or personal items from a previous guest are left behind and found by the current guest(s)—these are the negative experiences that can damage a company’s brand and ultimately, their bottom line.
VRHP strongly encourages a holistic view of property management operations—specifically, how operations activity touches every other aspect of a vacation rental business.
In addition, any team member who interacts with guest at a property—such as a maintenance worker making service calls—automatically doubles as a brand ambassador. VRHP advises that the quality and efficiency of operational teams is of the highest importance. They should receive just as much attention, training and respect as other teams within the company.
VRHP advises that the quality and efficiency of operational teams is of the highest importance. They should receive just as much attention, training and respect as other teams within the company.
The straight lines that can be drawn from operations, to positive reviews and increased revenue, is seen in VRHP's mission statement: “To be an industry champion, elevating guest experience through the operational excellence of its membership.” Due to the recent merger with VRMA, VRHP is thrilled to extend this message of operational excellence to an even wider audience.
The Year of Safety
VRHP has declared 2020 to be the “Year of Safety.” Much like their educational content, this year will reflect that theme, including monthly webinars. “Safety,” in this context, will include not just guest safety in the property, but also safety in the workplace, OSHA compliance and best safety practices for each of the individual operational roles.
“Safety,” in this context, will include not just guest safety in the property, but also safety in the workplace, OSHA compliance and best safety practices for each of the individual operational roles.
For the full list of VRHP training opportunities, more information about VRHP, online certifications and more, visit https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhp-home.
