Graduates Sharing their Experience!

"Cut off your ego", he advises and "realize that when on training or starting your career, you need to have an open mind to learn from the life-long experience of managers and leaders well established in the industry."

David shared his career path, the particulars of being an Operations Manager on the island of Zanzibar, and the enjoyment he experiences when his guests are more than satisfied with their stay at any of the three properties he looks after.

"Becoming an Operations Manager is not something that happens from one day to the next. It requires engagement with industry and guests, it requires enjoying what you are doing, it requires having focus and goals. Starting as a waiter in training, I worked with the General Manager in my first place of employment and decided to be like him one day.  Keeping this goal in mind, over the past ten years I worked my way through various Food & Beverage positions accepting opportunities as they arose and never forgetting the need to continue with my education. Today I am the Group Operations Manager of Bluebay Zanzibar Hotels, but becoming General Manager is still on my mind.

Having the opportunity to work in Zanzibar is exciting and fulfilling. As the Operations Manager, I face challenges to work with people from different cultural backgrounds and educational levels, to ensure that guest satisfaction is achieved at all times and that new target markets are discovered and created for all seasons. Being able to adapt to different people and different situations, being sociable and people-focused, and being willing to be the last one to leave at the end of the day creates the right environment for the staff to give their best and for guests to recommend the hotels to their friends and colleagues.

Never say no to a guest. If you cannot deliver what the guests expect at that moment in time, listen to the guest, show empathy and give an alternative."  

Great insights that will surely stay with students on their pathway to career success.