Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?

Started with IHM Kolkatta, followed by HOMT In Taj in F&B, great start in Taj Bengal Kolkatta followed by Taj Hari Mahal Jodhpur, then Corp Training in HRH, back to Taj as Training Head in Taj Bengal, 1st Stint of HR in North Goa as Head HR for FABR and THV, then Taj Palace Dubai, then Holiday Inn and now Cluster Dir HR for Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites.

What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?

Patience, perseverance, focus, networking, following good role models leadership styles; ability to innovate and accommodate the change.

What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring? 

Creativity, thinking on the feet, be flexible, analytical.

What according to you can trainees do while they are training at hotels to make it a win-win for them & the hotel/unit?

Work hard, learn, make notes, challenge to learn new things; ask questions.

What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?

Think ahead marketing approach, champion change business tactics, cost management

Tech is now an enabler for great hospitality. Can you share with us some of the tech that goes into creating your guest experience?

Preference and loyalty recognition, automatically; automatic phone linked to network and facilities post-check-in; signboards; interactive TV with menu and check out option.

Two things you would like to change in the industry.

Colleague training to continue; menus to change more frequently along with hotel focus on F&B business..

What can we expect in the coming year?

A challenging year and to accommodate change with think ahead approach.