Helping Coworkers Coexist.
Chatterbox brings harmony to hospitality by helping hotels, restaurants, and other customer-focused organizations build positive, empowered teams. By resolving conflicts and breaking down communication silos, teams are aligned with their company’s values and are eager to deliver exceptional service.
At Chatterbox, the Art of Hospitality goes both ways - workplaces where both employees and guests are valued experience fewer retention issues and less conflict.
If navigating hostilities in hospitality is a challenge, reach out. Chatterbox helps companies build understanding between owners, managers, and employees. Leave the tough conversations to us -where the "suggestion box" is real, and there are no dumb questions.
Why it matters
During my time in hospitality, I noticed a troubling gap: while considerable attention was given to guest retention, employee retention was often overlooked. This disconnect not only affected morale but also had serious business consequences. Many of my colleagues shared this concern, but it seemed that only the largest brands were actively addressing employee disengagement, conflict, and retention issues.
In today’s hospitality market, retention challenges reveal the true cost of neglecting employee satisfaction. Currently, hospitality operations face turnover rates as high as 60-70% within just 18 months. According to the National Restaurant Association, turnover costs in the hospitality industry can range from $5,000 to $14,000 per employee for front-line positions, and $20,000 for managers - creating a costly cycle of recruiting, training, and departures that significantly impacts the bottom line.
This issue is complex, with numerous factors at play. Owners and managers are often stretched thin and lack the time or resources to fully address these challenges. That’s where Chatterbox comes in. Our mission is to bridge the gap between management, owners, and employees, creating a more cohesive and supportive work environment that boosts retention and engagement.
Clients often face the complexities of managing 5 generations in the workforce, diverse communication styles, and varying workplace needs. When employees feel heard and valued, they are more likely to stay, reducing the high costs associated with turnover. Chatterbox is committed to helping businesses retain their talent and break the costly hiring cycle.
Got Retention issues? Employee Conflict? Disengaged Team Members? Let’s chat.
How Chatterbox Can Help
Proactively Manage Staff Issues: Implement systems for early identification and management of potential staff issues, preventing minor problems from growing into major disruptions and ensuring a smoother operational flow.
Enhance Communication and Relationships: Address and resolve interpersonal issues within teams while delivering trainings to prevent conflict in future. Cultivate a more positive and collaborative work environment that builds loyalty and improves overall team cohesion
Empower Conflict Resolution: Provide managers and employees with effective conflict resolution techniques, empowering them to handle disputes constructively and prevent small issues from escalating
Build Employee Engagement: Develop strategies to boost engagement and workplace satisfaction, making employees feel valued and connected to the company’s mission. Aligning team members with the company’s mission helps reduce turnover and ensures your team members are less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere
Increase Employee Retention: Develop customized programs and incentives that make employees feel appreciated and invested in their roles. Chatterbox can help you retain top talent and break the costly cycle of turnover - without necessarily increasing compensation.
True Hospitality Extends to both Guests and Employees
Currently the hospitality industry employs 17 million people with a staff attrition rate of 30-70%. That’s a lot of paperwork and misery. Chatterbox can alleviate this burden by helping your operation run smoother so your employees stay with you longer.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict is a story as old as time. It happens but with the right tools and training, you can stop the madness and get back to what matters the most - your guests!
Don’t let conflict ruin your operations or poison the well, a happy team is something worth preserving
Retention & Engagement
Retention issues usually exist because of low engagement. What are your team members thinking/feeling without speaking to you?
Let me help make your employees feel heard and valued while finding the best practices to retain them.
Hospitality Training
Hospitality can be taught but it takes time and effort. Please reach out if you need help with training your staff on how to care about service. Teaching employees how to see the value in their daily work is a key component to the Chatterbox mission. Work that is centered around delighting guests is work that matters greatly.
Our Process
Diagnostics
Please contact me if you see your staff resigning, not engaged or arriving late to work daily. Excuses are usually a symptom of something bigger. What are your employees not telling you? After initially meeting with your team and organizing their values, thoughts and needs we can build processes together for accountability, recognition and managing future conflict.
Planning
After conducting a thorough employee diagnostic, we can review the results and key challenges, privately. Based on the initial assessment, we collaborate on targeted coaching and additional training for your employees and management. If the diagnostic reveals more significant or complex issues, I may refer you to a trusted colleague who specializes in that area.
Implementation
Following an initial assessment with your team, we identify areas for improvement and develop systems to address conflict, burnout and low engagement. Our solutions once implemented are upheld by your team and management, with ongoing support from Chatterbox to ensure continued success.
Meet the Chatterbox
Tuni founded Chatterbox to ensure that employee feedback makes an impact. Her early interest in challenging the status quo earned her the nickname "Chatterbox" in elementary school. She channeled that same energy into consulting and advocacy, advising Fortune 500 companies on effective strategies for recruiting, retaining, and developing employees.
Before consulting, Tuni spent a decade in the hospitality industry, gaining experience with both well-run and less effective organizations. She now applies the best HR practices from major corporations to boutique hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that are committed to exceptional hospitality.
With extensive experience in culture and belonging, Tuni has a deep understanding of how a company’s culture, process, and communication issues affects team engagement and ultimately retention.
She holds a degree in Food Industry Management from Michigan State University and Conflict Resolution certification from Cornell, making her a trusted advisor in navigating the complexities of the hospitality industry.
Her management mantra? Learn how to ask better questions. Employee feelings inform their actions and their actions can significantly influence your business’s success.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Culture Building
Conflict Resolution
Staff Engagement
Hospitality Training
Job Alignment
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Menu planning
POS systems
Financial planning
Harassment training/litigation
Sommelier/brewer
Though I am happy to refer out.
Book a Chat
Book a free 30-minute phone or in-person chat on how we can help your operation run smoother so your employees stay with you longer.