Seeing the Whole Elephant
Why Hotels Need a 360° View.
Introduction.
In the world of hospitality, every department plays a vital role in shaping guest satisfaction and profitability. Yet too often, hotels make decisions by focusing on only one side of the business. The ancient parable of the six blind men and the elephant reminds us why this approach is dangerous—and why hotels need a 360° view to succeed.
The Story in Brief
Six blind men were asked to describe an elephant.
One touched the side and said, “It’s a wall.”
Another touched the tusk and said, “It’s a spear.”
Another touched the trunk and said, “It’s a snake.”
One touched the leg and said, “It’s a tree.”
Another touched the ear and said, “It’s a fan.”
The last touched the tail and said, “It’s a rope.”
Each was partly right, yet completely wrong about the whole. They argued, until a wise man explained: “You each know a part of the elephant, but only by combining your views can you see the truth.”
The Hospitality Parallel
Hotels face the same challenge: every department sees only part of the business.
Finance → cuts costs to protect profit.
Sales & Marketing → push promotions to increase bookings.
Operations → focus on service quality and efficiency.
HR → manage staff morale and training.
Guests → care only about their experience.
Individually, each perspective is valid. But if leadership acts on just one, they miss the bigger picture.
Why Hotels Need a 360° View
To Solve Real Problems, Not Symptoms
Declining profits may not be about “high costs” alone—it could be low staff morale leading to poor service, which drives guests away.
To Improve Guest Satisfaction
Guest experience is shaped by finance, HR, marketing, and operations working together. A disjointed approach weakens loyalty.
To Make Balanced Decisions
Every decision should weigh both short-term financial impact and long-term guest satisfaction.
To Align Teams
Like the blind men, departments may argue. A holistic view turns arguments into collaboration.
The GoAudits Lesson
At GoAudits Limited, we believe hospitality leaders must always “see the whole elephant.”
Operational audits uncover blind spots across finance, operations, HR, and guest experience.
Compliance reviews ensure service quality and legal standards.
Consulting solutions integrate all perspectives, helping hotels build sustainable profitability.
Conclusion
The story of the six blind men reminds us that truth is never found in isolation. For hotels and restaurants, lasting success comes from combining all perspectives—financial, operational, human, and guest. With a 360° view, hospitality leaders can see the whole elephant and make smarter decisions that protect profits while delighting guests.
📌 GoAudits Limited – Helping you see the “whole elephant” in your business through operational audits, compliance, and hospitality consulting.
📧 info@goaudits.co.ke | 🌍 www.goaudits.co.ke | ☎ 0720981198.