In the corporate working world, fostering a positive and purposeful workplace experience is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. How employees use the office has changed and now competes directly with the comforts and benefits of the home office.

In this blog, we discuss the approach of corporate front of house teams today, and how they are drawing inspiration and practices from the hospitality industry and embracing a guest-centricity approach.

Creating the hotel experience in the corporate workplace

Gone are the days of traditional receptionists permanently sitting behind desks in stark lobbies. Redefining their approach, front of house teams have transitioned to hospitality ambassadors. Corporate clients invest in luxurious reception areas reminiscent of a chic hotel – complete with comfortable seating, touch-down areas to charge a laptop or phone and a good coffee upon arrival.

But front of house excellence goes beyond aesthetics. It is about embodying the “hotel experience” in every action and interaction. Just as hoteliers anticipate guests’ needs, our corporate receptionists are proactive, anticipating, and addressing employee concerns before they arise. Whether it’s seamlessly handling meeting room logistics, resolving technology hiccups, or offering recommendations for local amenities, their proactive approach ensures a smooth and stress-free day for everyone in the workplace.

Using technology to elevate the front of house experience

Modern check-in apps and technology empower teams to gather feedback, reserve rooms, identify trends, and personalise their service delivery for employees and guests during their time in the office.  

Using this data, corporate front of house teams can curate an optimal and personalised arrival experience that reflects an employee’s or guest’s preferences. For example, before arrival, front of house teams will be able to understand how the office will be used and can secure rooms for important meetings or configure spaces for collaborative work. They can also make arrangements for taxis and transportation ahead of time for an efficient departure experience. 

The developing role of front of house excellence in a hybrid working world

With employees splitting their time between the office and home, the need for a meaningful and engaging workplace experience becomes even more critical.  

At Anabas Welcome, our corporate front of house teams surpass the traditional expectations of a receptionist role. Increasingly, they are developing into guest experience and lifestyle managers whose focus is to implement changes and initiatives that encourage hybrid working employees to attend the office more frequently. This could include organising community events, wellbeing initiatives and collaboration opportunities to make the time spent in the office worthwhile. 

By fostering a sense of belonging, connection, and purpose, front of house excellence can boost employee engagement, wellbeing, and productivity, as well as optimise space utilisation. Our approach ensures the office remains a relevant and valuable place to be for employees in a hybrid working world.