Personal and Career Development: Hotel Manager - Coursework Example

Hotel Manager Introduction With the increasing levels of globalization resulting from liberalization of markets, efficient flow of information, and integration of economies, the level of competition has increased tremendously in the market. This results from the entry of multinational companies in the market. These firms have a huge financial base to segment the market, position their products strategically in the market, and attract customer loyalty towards their products and services. Therefore, a hotel manager is required to be flexible in order to deal with various challenges that keep on arising in the market (Gee 2008). In addition, the manager is expected to know how to manipulate the available resources in order to get returns. Jon Outline The hotel manager is responsible for the management of day-to-day activities in the hotel (Prospects 2014). In addition, the manager is expected to manage the staff and ensure that they feel motivated to work hard in order to achieve the set objectives. Furthermore, they have commercial accountability in matters related to budgeting, planning and financial management. Moreover, they have a role of organizing and directing the services in a hotel. Some of the services they are supposed to manage include front-of-house and housekeeping. In large hotels, managers are part of the general management team (Jayawardena 2000). In this case, they have a specific remit, e.g. Guest services, accounting, or even marketing. A hotel manager must be a role model to the rest of the employees. The managers must be in the forefront in demonstrating to the subordinates on how to handle various activities in the hotel. In addition, they should always be there to listen to the grievances of the members of the staff (Jayawardena 2000). These should be addressed in order for the employees to remain motivated towards the goals of the organization. A hotel manager is expected to deliver excellent customer service every time. In addition, they have to ensure that the guests are comfortable and safe (Gee 2008). This is to avoid any incidence that might have a major impact on the reputation of the hotel. A hotel manager should deal with all inquiries in a courteous and professional manner, either in person, telephone or through an email. Sometimes, customers might be dissatisfied with the services offered in a hotel. It is the duty of the manager to handle such cases in a diligent manner in order to ensure that the client is satisfied (Jayawardena 2000). In addition, the manager has a role of maintaining the administration of various reservations by the customers; handle the cancelations and no shows with a sober mind in order to avoid any form of fallout with the loyal customers. A hotel manager should be up-to-date with the current promotion and pricing in order to provide the guests with the necessary information on request. This is significant in avoiding overpricing of the products and services being offered, an aspect that may force the loyal customers to turn to the products and services being offered by the competitors. This might have a major impact on the overall sales of the hotel. A hotel manager has a role of proposing and implement effective marketing strategies in order to improve the competitive position of the hotel in the market. For instance, the manager should advise the responsible departments on the new strategies that a business should undertake in order to promote the hotel in the market. For example, the manager should advise the business to use social media as a platform of interacting with the target market. This would help the business to understand various aspects that affect the consumption behavior. As a result, the manager should propose the necessary changes in order for it to maintain its top position in the market. A hotel manager should maintain an effective communication with all subordinates irrespective of their rank in the hotel. This is because these are people who interact with the clients. As a result, they can obtain crucial information which can help the hotel to improve the products and services offered (OFallon & Rutherford 2011). Furthermore, the manager should be in the forefront in solving any form of conflict among the employees who might affect their working relationship. The manager of the hotel has a mandate of implementing policies set by the management team. In addition, they have a role of ensuring that the hotel adheres to company policies and procedures. In addition, they should ensure that ethical standards are observed in every part of hotel operations (OFallon & Rutherford 2011). This is to avoid any form of friction with the authority, an aspect that would tarnish the reputation of the hotel. Hotel managers should take responsibility of extra tasks. They should delegate the authority and tasks to qualified employees in order to reduce some work. This is to enable them focus on heavy tasks that cannot be handled by other employees. On the other hand, they have a role of overseeing the recruitment and training process. Skills A hotel manager must good customer management skills. Hotel managers deal with clients every day. Therefore, they should know how to handle customers with varying needs in order to win their loyalty. Hotel managers should have interpersonal skills. In some cases, the hotel work can be stressful and demanding, For instance, some guests may demand value for their money while the hotel might be doing their best (OFallon & Rutherford 2011). The standoff would require the intervention of the managers who are required to be calm and direct in such stressful situations. Hotel managers should have leadership skills. The managers are expected to motivate their employees, resolve any outstanding issues, and conflicts from the guests. Hotel managers should have management skills. They are expected to work with limited budgets, plan, and create schedules. Furthermore, they are expected supervise the operations and distribute work according to the area of specialization of the employees (OFallon & Rutherford 2011). Hotel managers should have organization skills. Hotels have very many moving parts. From guests to the maintenance of the hotel, the hotel manager must ensure that all these are well organized and coordinated in order to achieve better results (Gee 2008). Managers of hotels are required to have problem-solving skills. Hotels have become dynamic. As a result, they keep on facing various problems that require quick solutions. They are, therefore, expected to think quickly and come up with solutions. In addition, they are required to be reliable and have stamina (OFallon & Rutherford 2011). Furthermore, they are required to have numerical skills in order to deal with financial-related and office based roles. Lastly, knowledge of foreign languages can also be an advantage. Knowledge Hotel managers must be equipped with knowledge of different market drivers. The hotel industry keeps on changing. This has been driven largely on the change in technologies. Many of the people are shifting their attention towards the online platform (Gee 2008). Therefore, hotel managers are expected to have the necessary knowledge on how to use such opportunities to increase the revenue of the hotel. Hotel managers must have knowledge on accounting. Although some hotels hire external auditors in order to check on books of accounts, a manager is expected to understand and interpret the audit reports in order to take the necessary steps towards curbing any form of corruption which might be affecting the returns of the hotel (Gee 2008). Hotel managers must have knowledge on personal and human resources. They are expected to oversee the recruitment, selection training, and compensation processes (Gee 2008). Furthermore, they must have knowledge on labor relations and regulations and personnel information systems. This is significant in smooth running of the organization. Environment The working environment of a hotel manager can be stressful at times. This is as they strive to ensure that the guests are contented while the workforce is motivated, and the hotel is making profits. Balancing these aspects requires commitment and focus. Any lapse might affect the profitability of the business. The managers rarely work for regular hours in a day. This is because the majority of the hotels are open for twenty-four hours (Gee 2008). They are sometimes forced to work overnight and during the weekends. On the other hand, they are frequently called in order to attend to emergencies. Rewards Rewards and rewarding system are significant in hotel managers career. They are supposed to know how to draft an effective performance appraisal system. This is to ensure that hardworking employees are recognized and rewarded (OFallon & Rutherford 2011). This plays a significant role in motivating the rest of the workforce to work harder in order to receive rewards. Prospects and Career Development Hotel industry keeps on changing. As a result, it is hard to determine future prospects of this job. However, its significant for hotel managers to keep on upgrading their skills through enrolling on modern skills. This is to ensure that they are not outdated, and they understand modern aspects that are driving change in the hotel sector (Gee 2008). In addition, in order to develop their career, they should incorporate skills learned in class with information from other related courses such as information technology. Unknown and areas need improvement Technological sector has been changing immensely. Innovative ideas keep on coming up in the market. The current generation keeps on absorbing these ideas. As a result, managers should also keep themselves updated with what is happening in this sector (Gee 2008). Furthermore, they should invest in new changes in order to attract the attention of the target market. This will also be significant in enhancing the security of the hotels and maintaining a competitive edge in the market. Conclusion Successful hotel managers are flexible and have diversified their knowledge in different sectors. In addition, they are always updated with the current information related to changes in the tastes and preferences of the customers. Therefore, unlike other careers, a hotel manager is always in a learning process. References Gee, C. Y. 2008. International hotels: Development and management. Lansing, MI: American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. OFallon, M. J., & Rutherford, D. G. 2011. Hotel management and operations. Jayawardena, C. 2000. International hotel manager. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 12(1), 67-70. Prospects. 2014. Hotel manager: Job description. Retrieved from http://www.prospects.ac.uk/hotel_manager_job_description.htm Read More