When you stay in a hotel, you expect a comfortable, clean, and quiet room, along with a decent shower. Such was not the case when we stayed in Denver, as the air conditioning was not functioning properly. We called the front desk, and they sent up a fan. Blowing hot air is not the solution, and only adds to the noise. We called again, only to be told that there was nothing they could do, as they were in the process of replacing the units. So, we asked to speak with the manager. There was no manager on duty for the whole weekend.
Our issue certainly did not rise to crisis level, where management was essential, but how do you leave a building full of guests with no one in charge?
It’s tempting to do this — have a young child babysit a sibling, leave the interns to run the office while you’re away, or let a teenager staff the store alone — and usually, it all works out fine. But in cases where authority is needed or an emergency occurs, having unqualified oversight can be disastrous.
Plan your staffing and procedures to prepare for problems, not just normal operating conditions. Someone should always be in charge, even if only on an interim basis.
