Don’t Blame the Strategy—Assess Its Execution

In hospitality, success depends not only on a strong strategy but on the ability to turn it into measurable results through consistent execution. Before abandoning an idea or changing direction, hotel leaders should take an honest look at how the strategy is being implemented across daily operations and guest interactions.


Blaming the strategy is a comfortable but dangerous mistake. Changing it completely can create the illusion of proactivity, when in reality the true problem is being ignored.
- Avoiding internal self-criticism: It is easier to blame an abstract concept than to admit shortcomings in day-to-day management.
- Lack of clear metrics: If KPIs are not established from the outset, it is impossible to determine whether the failure lies in the strategy or its execution.
- Poor communication: A poorly explained vision leads to inconsistent actions, which can create the impression that the strategy is not working.
Analyse execution before blaming the strategy
To identify whether the problem lies in implementation, it is essential to carry out a rigorous analysis. These are the key steps:1. Clarity of vision and objectives
Ask yourself:
-
-
- Does the team clearly understand the objectives?
- Have they been communicated in a simple, accessible way?
-
Key insight: A McKinsey study revealed that 72% of employees perform better when they clearly understand the purpose behind their work.
2. Define specific success metrics
Without clear metrics, it is impossible to evaluate a strategy’s performance.
-
-
- Set specific KPIs for each action (average occupancy, guest satisfaction index, revenue per available room).
- Review regularly whether these indicators reflect the expected results.
-
Important fact: According to Gallup, organisations with clear metrics are 24% more likely to achieve their objectives.
3. Team Training and Development
The best strategy will fail if the team does not have the capabilities to execute it.
-
-
- Provide ongoing training in guest service, technology tools and conflict management.
- Assess whether instructions and processes are clear and practical in the day-to-day reality of the hotel.
-
Reflection: UN Tourism highlights that well-trained staff can increase guest satisfaction by up to 12%.
Books to run a hotel with judgement
Written from the general manager’s chair: technology, guest experience, leadership and management.
Directing HotelsWhat Nobody Tells You Before You Sit in the General Manager’s Chair
The Intelligent HotelData, Artificial Intelligence and a New Way to Run Hotels
The Guest JourneyDesigning Customer Experience Across the Entire Hotel Journey
Leadership and High-Performance Team ManagementPeople, Experiences and Results in Today\\\'s Hospitality4. Assessing Available Resources and Tools
Sometimes, a strategy fails because the necessary resources are not allocated.
Your hotel knows more than you think.
HotelGEX connects guest, booking, revenue and operational context so your hotel can understand better, personalise every stay and turn knowledge into action.
Which returning guests have no future booking and could be relevant for a new campaign?
Guest history · stay behaviour · preferences · value
-
-
- Do you have the right technology tools?
- Does the team have the time and autonomy to carry out tasks effectively?
-
Real-life example: Implementing a CRM without adequate training can lead to poor data management, affecting guest relationships.
5. Ongoing Monitoring and Feedback
Execution is not static; it must be monitored and adjusted regularly.
-
-
- Hold regular meetings to analyse progress and challenges.
- Foster a feedback culture in which the team can voice difficulties without fear of repercussions.
-
Key fact: Companies that practise continuous feedback achieve 14% higher engagement among their teams (Deloitte Insights).
When execution issues are identified, a drastic change of direction is not always necessary. These actions can correct the course without abandoning a sound strategy:- Simplify processes: Are protocols overburdening the team? Excessive formality can slow execution down.
- Strengthen internal communication: Implement a centralised system for sharing information, such as an internal portal or brief daily meetings.
- Clearly assign roles: Every team member must know exactly what is expected of their daily contribution.
- Conduct regular reviews: Review progress against objectives weekly and make adjustments as you go.
This article ends here. The archive does not.
Lead Hospitality brings together 1200 English articles published since 2018: years of experiences, decisions and lessons you can keep exploring.
What would you like to explore next?
Choose a direction and keep reading around what you want to solve, learn or challenge.
Turn reading into actionable knowledge
Basic includes article recommendations. Premium unlocks questions, analysis, comparisons and applying the knowledge to your hotel.
