David Barrow CITP FBCS

Sometimes, it takes a spark, a small event.

Dropping your watch as you put it on, the dog walk going off plan, the train making you four minutes late, a meeting getting cancelled that plays with your day.

It's a small thing. Or all of the above in one day.

Other times, it's a monumental smack in the face—one of those "I'll never forget where I was" moments, whether it's taking a phone call on a Monday evening on the couch where a friend on the end of the line says, "I don't know how to tell you this," or it's the cycle of bad news getting closer to home and unsettling you, disturbing you and making you question why humans are so prone to idiocy.

Sometimes, it's 2–3 weeks of all of the above: you end up morose, lacking for anything, neither unhappy nor happy, impetus gone, projects put on hold, just a cycle of wake up, walk, eat, work, walk, eat, sleep.

No boxsets; they bore you. No runs, you cannot be bothered, fresh food — no, even conversation troubles you. Your mind and body crave all of these things, but something, a mist, stops you from reaching for them.

At this moment, all of the above refers to someone close to me, someone close to you.

Heck, at this moment, this refers to me.

This mist is something new to me, well, newish. Years of my life were spent in and out of hospitals, seeing my Mother slowly ebb away. Most of which she caused. I spent the time dealing with the trauma, the pain and the anger, not to mention what you may call inconvenience and associated guilt; all this was done without missing a beat at work or at home. A career in crisis management helped here.

I'm not alone in having these challenges; I'm not special.

When Mum passed away, the initial feeling was relief; how awful of me.

Relief became guilt, and anger became motivation. I immediately threw myself into work, new writing and speaking projects, volunteering, mentoring, and anything else to 'help'. I thought it was helping others when, in fact, it was helping myself.

The mist came a few months later; I classified it as self-doubt and imposter syndrome, as some of my projects came to the fore. It passed, barely noticed. But it kept returning, never too dark, never threatening but debilitating to a degree. The smile remains, but the eyes are dead behind them.

So why write this?

I write this because I know the mist well and want others to recognise it in me (selfishly) and themselves (hopefully).

The mist has visited me many times over the years, creeping in slowly, clouding my thoughts and sapping my energy. I used to fight it constantly, pushing myself to keep up appearances even as I struggled internally. I've learned that the mist comes for a reason, and resisting it only worsens things.

I've learned to accept the mist as an old friend, albeit an unpleasant one. When it arrives, I let my obligations and busy schedules fall away. I retreat into quiet moments of reflection, force myself to run, and spend time with loved ones. I give my mind and body the rest they crave. I also write….

In time, the mist begins to lift. My energy returns, along with a new perspective. I emerge renewed, reminded of what really matters. The mist is a messenger, telling me to slow down, care for myself, and appreciate the gifts in my life.

When the mist arrives, I continue to try to support others, volunteer, and give back, but I often leave little room for my own self-help. It's nobody's fault but my own. Focusing on others and their challenges leaves me with little time or energy to address my own struggles.

Truthfully, there are moments when I feel lost and overwhelmed by the cumulative weight of the problems I have absorbed from others, where I don’t feel valued, where I worry that what I have said is wrong, where I think — why do I do this?

Because I love it, and the people I speak with are wonderful humans.

But…..a line springs to mind: "Who motivates the motivator?"

During those dark times with my Mother, I was so accustomed to being the strong one, the advisor, the ally, that the idea of seeking help felt foreign. My motivation was getting in, getting out and getting home. My motorcycle was an outlet for my emotions.

Yet even the most outwardly resilient of us need someone to lean on. Everyone, no matter how strong, needs a network of support.

The irony of this situation is that those I love, mentor, and advise would likely be the first to offer me support if they knew I needed it. I need to get better at asking.

Often, those who give the most struggle the most with asking for help. At this moment, I'm not asking for help, but someone else out there may need help. Listen out for them—and I’m learning that silence is often the loudest shout. The fact remains that if you need help, please reach out.

Don't let things go from a mist to a blackout.

Writing this article lifts the mist for me. Putting this ‘on paper’ and out there helps me. But everyone is different.

In the end, the question remains: Who motivates the motivator? In my opinion, let's motivate and support one another; this is a two-way street.

Here are some places in the UK to get help.

#ANDYSMANCLUB — A place for men to talk, listen, and support each other. Their motto, “It’s okay to talk,” says it all.

Mental Health UK — Offering a range of services and support for mental health issues across the UK.

Samaritans — Available 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. Sometimes, a conversation can make all the difference.

Mind — Providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.

Take care.

As someone who has worked in multiple industries during my 30-year career in Information Technology & Service Management, I am acutely aware that staying ahead of the curve is essential in all fields, especially in the dynamic world of travel and hospitality.

In this article, I'd like to shed light on three crucial aspects: 

• The importance of IT and Service Management
• The significance of inter-sector communication
• The need to embrace sustainable technological advancements.

The Crucial Role of IT and Service Management with a focus on experience measurement via XLA’s 

The travel and hospitality sector relies heavily on technology and delivering memorable customer experiences – memorable for the right reasons!

In a world driven by digital innovation, efficient IT systems, robust service management, and measuring customer experience through Experience Level Agreements (XLA's) can make or break a business. 

Here's why they are paramount:

Efficiency and Customer Experience: IT streamlines operations, from online reservations to check-in processes. It ensures seamless transactions and enhances the overall customer experience. 

However, it's not just about smooth processes; it's about measuring and improving customer experience. This is where Experience Level Agreements (XLAs) come into play. XLAs focus on the outcomes and experiences that IT and service management deliver. By setting clear expectations and measuring the customer experience against those expectations, you can continuously improve and align your services with customer needs and preferences.

For further information on effectively designing human-centred thinking in IT, I recommend visiting https://hitglobal.services/ and learning more about Humanising IT™, a technique and methodology that uses the travel industry as its case study.

Data-Driven Decision Making: IT systems provide a wealth of data. Leveraging this data through analytics, including XLA data, allows you to make informed decisions, adapt to market trends and pivot during these VUCA¹ times. 

Straightforward customer and stakeholder-agreed measures provide valuable insights into where service improvements are needed to enhance the customer experience.

Cybersecurity: The travel industry is a prime target for cyberattacks due to the vast amount of sensitive customer data. Effective IT service management and security measures, including XLAs for security incident response and resolution times, are non-negotiable to protect your business and customers. Measuring security-related XLAs can help ensure that your cybersecurity efforts are above par, and that customer data remains secure.

2. The Power of Inter-Sector Communication

Communication is critical in any industry, and even more so in this modern connected age. 

Crucially, this applies within your organisation and between different sectors of the travel and hospitality industry. Here's why fostering this communication is crucial:

Seamless Travel Experiences:  Travellers don't see your industry as separate sectors; they see it as one journey. Effective communication between airlines, hotels, transportation providers, and local attractions can create a seamless and memorable travel experience. These communications are often delivered via technology services; how you design, operate and continually improve these services is critical to your success. How you integrate partners using methodologies such as SIAM (Service Integration and Management) can separate you in a positive light from your competitors. For more info on SIAM visit:  What is SIAM

Issue and Incident Resolution: When issues arise, whether a flight delay or a hotel reservation glitch, quick and efficient communication can differentiate between a frustrated and satisfied traveller. Collaborative working across boundaries is essential. SIAM can help here by ensuring suppliers share measurements and critically that they share cultural intent. 

Market Insights: Sharing insights and market data with partners across the industry can help everyone adapt to changing customer preferences and market dynamics. Together, you can stay ahead of the competition and get ahead of the curve in this VUCA¹ world.

3. Embracing Sustainable Technological Advancements

I think it’s fair to say that each of us understands the importance of sustainability. Technology and its delivery via IT Service Management plays a significant role in achieving sustainable goals in travel and hospitality. IT Service Management can be used to inform and address this with further information at: ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Eco-Friendly Practices: Sustainable technology, such as energy-efficient systems and green building designs, can reduce the carbon footprint of hotels and transportation services, as can supplying electric vehicle charging delivered via renewable energy sources to your customers as a socially sustainable service option. 

Digital Alternatives:  Encourage the use of digital alternatives to traditional paper-based processes. E-tickets, digital room keys, and mobile check-ins enhance convenience and reduce waste; each forms core considerations when utilising IT Service management to design or improve digital service offerings.

Data-Driven Sustainability: IT and its associated service management practices and ISO standards can help you track and manage resource consumption, leading to more innovative, sustainable choices in areas like energy and water usage.

In conclusion, the travel and hospitality industry is at a crossroads where IT, service management, and sustainability intersect. Embracing these aspects is a strategic move and a necessity for long-term success. Efficient IT systems and service management improve operations, while communication between sectors creates a holistic travel experience. 

Moreover, adopting sustainable technological advancements contributes to a more eco-friendly and socially responsible industry. Win-win-win…..

Thanks for reading; for more information and to connect, please visit us at www.solsevenstudio.com 

Footnote 1: VUCA – Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous    

About David Barrow, CITP FBCS

David Barrow, CITP FBCS, is an accomplished professional with an extensive background in IT service management. He holds the titles of ITIL 4® Master, ITIL v3 Expert, VeriSM™ & Agile AdapT Professional, and serves as a SIAM Community Champion.

As an author, Barrow has contributed to the field with notable works such as "An Education in Service Management" and "Co-Creating Value in Organisations with ITIL 4."

Actively engaged in industry committees, he participates in the British Computer Society (BCS) Information Technology Service Management/Asset Management Committee, British Standards Institute (BSI) Information Technology Service Management Committee, and the ISO 20000 Service Management Committee.

Recognised as a Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP) and Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), David Barrow is dedicated to advancing IT practices.

Learn more about his expertise and contributions at www.solsevenstudio.com.

This article was originally published via https://www.flyingcarpetnews.com/navigating-the-future-it-service-management-and-sustainability-in-travel-and-hospitality in December 2023

Location: Redhill    Fees: 1000

Service Type: Service Offered