Management Tools
Spheres of Influences
and The Five P’s

By Mark W. Healey
CEO – Virtual Hospitality Group

Article 3 of 3

Putting the 5P’s to work in an Organization

To recap, in article one we discussed that every
good operating company either develops a
management culture and approach, or lives and
dies by the result of its individual stars and
asteroids. At Virtual Hospitality Group we teach
a “Spheres of Influence” approach using the
5P’s (People, Products, Process, Priority, and
Performance).

The Spheres of Influence approach aids in
problem solving, but more importantly The 5 P’s
become the common language and guide for
managers and the whole organization to more
efficiently and effectively manage. Once every
manager and team member understand what
each “P” means and stands for, the ability to
move quickly to the heart of problems and
solutions is greatly increased.

In article two we discussed putting the 5’Ps to
work as a manager or supervisor. To use these
5P’s to see how they are influencing a problem
or situation we introduced the nine
characteristics every successful hospitality
manager needs to have. They are
communications, creativity, initiative, flexibility,
persuasiveness, persistence, decision making,
understanding and leadership.

When presented with a situation or task we
need to identify and understand the
issue/problem, take action using the 5P’s to
determine and weigh all the factors, Consider
solutions and there effect on the 5 P’s and
implement the best solution. Using and
applying these characteristics follow the six step
process

1. Always review each P -eliminate any P
   that does not apply,
2. Evaluate the rate each P factor (top to
   bottom),
3. Adjust given the priority, then decide
   on solutions,
4. Communicate and Implement solutions.
5. Follow up to insure the solution is
   working
6. Adjust as needed – repeat.

Now as a manager using the 5P’s you are
experiencing the value of a powerful tool to
guide your planning and to solve problems. As
a good manager and team leader you are
sharing your approach with peers and team
members. They are quick to learn the format
and present info already accounting for the
5P’s, they are even offering solutions based on
past experiences.

To fully realize the value of Spheres of Influence
and the 5P’s the company/organization must
embrace the 5P’s. This is accomplished in two
steps.

1. Every manager, supervisor and
   executive is taught/learns, discusses,
   and uses the 5P’s every day.
2. The Company embraces using the 5P’s
   for all meetings, budgets and planning
   as well as incorporating the
   management characteristics and 5P’s
   into all Performance management
   programs.

Company-wide implementation is achieved by
organizing every internal and external meeting
using the 5P’s. This makes preparation
consistent and concise and allows everyone to
come prepared to use the format. Recalling
that each of the five “P’s” is a sphere of
influence, meaning the topics within in each P
may be different every meeting. For example,
the “process” topics for accounting are different
than the “process” topics for facilities. Often
upon review only two or three of the five P’s
pertain to a particular topic, issue, or problem,
and by getting to the correct assessments and
topics meetings become for effective.

Every budget, projection and P&L entertains all
Five P’s. Every management evaluation and
review entertains all 5P’s. Organizations may
choose not to use this approach, but they are
still required to ask the questions and perform
to expectations. In our experience using the
5P’s has improved our effectiveness and
promotes efficiency.

In this concluding article (3 of 3) we have shown
how organizations put the concept of Spheres
of Influence and the Five P’s to work for their
managers and leaders. To learn more about the
topic visit article 1 – Introducing and defining
Spheres of Influence and the 5P’s; and article 2
– Putting the Spheres of Influence and the 5P’s
to work as a Manager or Supervisor

Now spread the word, the 5 words -People,
Products, Processes, Priorities, Performance.

The 5P’s Manager Cliff Notes:

• PEOPLE = principles & values development
• PRODUCTS = perception and expectations delivery
• PROCESSES = polices, procedures and best practices
• PRIORITIES = promotions (sales & marketing),
  initiatives, project management
• PERFORMANCE = player & guest experience, employee
  engagement, profit, outcomes

About the Author: Mark Healey is CEO and cofounder
of Virtual Hospitality Group. In a 35+ year career, he
has more than 17 years of F&B experience working
with more than 25 Native American Casinos
throughout the country. He can be reached at
m.healey@virtualhg.com

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