Degree Subject: Hotel Management
Job Title: General Manager
Employer: Starwood Hotels and Resorts Ltd
Location: London

GENERAL MANAGER:

Responsible for managing employees and for planning, marketing, coordinating and administering hotel services such as catering and accommodation facilities.

HOW DID YOU START IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?

I grew up in Zimbabwe and left to study hotel management for four years, after which I joined a graduate training scheme with Hilton Hotels.

My first two years mainly involved reception and front of house work, so I decided I needed to gain experience in the food and beverage (F&B) side of the business and joined Starwood Hotels at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel at Heathrow Airport. This was a very busy F&B operation serving around 2000 meals a day and was a tremendous experience and responsibility.

Over the next few years I made a number of moves within the company, working my way up the ladder and experiencing working in places such as Edinburgh, London and Harare, Zimbabwe.

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?

I am responsible for our three central London hotels. In total we employ over 650 people and have just over 700 bedrooms in prime locations. My day includes various different tasks, including meeting VIPs and dignitaries, making sure events and conferences run smoothly and carrying out inspections or dealing with guest queries.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TIP FOR SUCCESS?

I think the most important quality needed to succeed in this industry is good communication with people, whether it be customers, employees or suppliers. It's a young and vibrant industry, so you shouldn't be afraid to lead change and take some risks.
Be prepared that when you are working your way up there can be a lot of long and unsociable hours with plenty of hard work. But it's fun and there are many opportunities for travel and foreign positions, especially when you work for a large global company.

BEST BITS:

• Young and vibrant industry
• International travel
• Fun and challenging

WORST BITS:

• Antisocial hours
• Hard graft

NEXT STEPS:

Taylor’s College: www.taylors.edu.my

Macquarie University: www.mq.edu.au

East Asia School of Business: www.easb.edu.sg

University of South Carolina: www.hrsm.sc.edu

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