NEWH is committed to keeping you informed about how others in the hospitality industry are responding to this pandemic in order to help you understand the potential outcome of the actions you are taking now. We will share relevant information, including video content, to provide you a global perspective about what is happening with all of our clients, peers and colleagues.

P R O C U R E M E N T

 

April 3, 2020
Toronto, ON Canada
Manuela Kennedy, VP, Carver & Associates, Inc.
President, NEWH/Toronto

What have been your greatest challenges so far?
Our biggest challenge thus was motivating our staff during this pandemic. We had to ease their fears that they are not going anywhere, and working remotely was the best for their safety.

What do you think is most important for suppliers/designers/architects to know about your business right now?
We are stable, open for business as usual and are up to date with what is available.

What’s keeping you up at night?
My team and my loved ones staying safe.

How are you able to stay positive amidst crisis?
Anyone who really knows me, knows I love to laugh, humor helps distract from what is happening around the world.

Any WFH pro tips?
Yes, get up every day and get dressed, put your make up on, and go to your office as if it is a normal day. Routine is very important to stay positive and focused. Have multiple team meetings and one on one meetings. Your team need the socialization and communication to stay constant. Find areas that you have put off and work on those while business is slow.

Do you think any of the changes in how you do business could be permanent?
We have not really changed how we do business, we just changed a location, our offices are a bit different right know, but our business is made up on our employees, their skills, personalities and their drive. This will always remain regardless where we work from.

What is your favorite social isolation hobby, recipe, tip for beating boredom?
I love to post funny memes for my friends to keep the world laughing, but I have found that I am spending more time with my dogs and they are quite funny, and talking on the phone to my family, which was something that wasn’t done as often as it should hve been but has now become one of my favorite things to sit and listen to their stories.

We would like to hear if you have any ideas on staying connected.
No better time to go old school then now, pick up the phone, talk to someone, video chat, share a blog with people and share ideas and suggestions.