The General Manager was once the most friendly face when you checked into a hotel. He was the host, and was responsible for making guests feel at home. He was able to accommodate your needs, make your problems disappear, and he was a great host. An experienced General Manager made the difference between a great hotel stay and a memorable one!
The genial General Manager has become a powerful tool capable of handling multiple responsibilities at once. No longer will he stand in the lobby with deference. The Jack-of-all trades is now firmly rooted in many pies. He can juggle his many roles with charm and quiet exterior.
What does the new age General manager do?
That’s the short answer: “Almost everything!”
It is true. The General Manager’s responsibilities range from tasting food to providing top-notch service, to leading the team towards the company goal.
This is a detailed explanation of what a general manager should do. He is responsible for…
- Building a vibrant company
- Create a unique work environment
- Setting priorities and goals for the company
- Innovating and Strategic Thinking
- Management of human resources and mapping their productivity
- Setting a good example and driving the team to success
- All operations must be held to the highest standards
It’s obvious that a general manager has many responsibilities. Every responsibility must be completed with perfection. Mistakes are not accepted in the hospitality industry. The General Manager is used to tackling fires everyday and solves a variety of problems with no hesitation. This job isn’t for everyone.
What are the characteristics of a good General Manager?
The role of General Manager is one the most respected, demanding and demanding in the industry. This role is not for everyone. To step into these shoes, you need to be creative and innovative. These are the characteristics you should look out for in a potential General Manager.
Multitasking
For obvious reasons, this one is at the top of my list. A General Manager’s typical day is very complex because they have to manage so many different things. They must be alert and perceptive and manage guest relations, housekeeping and front desk, financial set-up, compliance, employee evaluations, and all other events in the hotel. A General Manager cannot be expected to manage time well and organize effectively.
Professional Troubleshooting
Many people who visit a hotel to relax are unaware of the chaos that is happening behind the scenes. They see a place of luxury, peace, and indulgence that functions like well-oiled machinery. Meanwhile, the hotel staff rushes to satisfy any need or desire they might have.
This is possible due to the General Manager’s common sense, quick thinking and creative solutions that he offers for everyday problems. The General Manager is adamant that nothing can go wrong. He also has the ability to prevent disasters from happening and keeps everything running smoothly in the hotel.
The Desire to Learn and Adaptability
One of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide is the hospitality industry. Technology, policies and legislation all contribute to the changing times. It is up to the General Manager of the hotel industry to anticipate these changes and plan for them.
My experience shows that the best General Managers are the ones who embrace the change. They aren’t afraid to be curious about what is happening in the industry, but they don’t feel scared. They are well-informed, and despite their busy schedules, they manage to keep up with industry trends and news. They ensure that the latest innovations are not lost to them by doing this. They put their expertise to use so that the hotel can keep up with the times and adapts as they go.
Mentoring & Teaching
As we know, a general manager should continue to acquire knowledge about the industry and his job. It’s important that he shares what he has learned with his team so they are able to work independently and efficiently. He finds it frustrating and draining to manage all the tasks that are placed in front of him. The hotel’s staff must be able to take initiative in order to run smoothly. Only if the staff has been properly mentored and taught how to be resourceful, quick-witted, and innovative can this happen.
As I said, a great General Manager is an asset for any hotel. It is not easy to find the right one. Because of the complexity of this position, I recommend that you ‘grow your own executives. This will allow you to choose from the ranks and train someone who is familiar with the hotel’s workings for the managerial position.
This may not be possible for everyone. You may need to rely on traditional methods of finding someone capable to assume the role of General Manager.
Keep these best practices in mind when doing this:
- Bring in someone who is familiar with the industry and people involved. Unless your business is small, the General Manager won’t be able learn all that quickly enough to fulfill his responsibilities effectively.
- Don’t forget about the workshops, management courses, and seminars that the candidate might mention on his resume. My experience is that these programs often emphasize the importance of formal quantitative skills, which are not essential to the job.
- Examine the candidate to determine if they have the qualities that we mentioned earlier. These qualities are just as important than the experience and qualifications of the potential candidate.
Once you have found the right candidate, welcome him/her onboard. Give him/her at most three to six months to gather information, build relationships, build networks, and establish the direction of the team. This is not the time to assign specific tasks or projects. This will make the team unproductive and distract from their main goal of driving success.
The smooth operation of a hotel depends on a good general manager. He is the one who works behind-the scenes to ensure that patrons and guests have a smooth and enjoyable experience. All other departments are dependent on his discretion and efficiency. You must invest your time and effort in finding the right candidate for this job. He’s the one who will guide the establishment towards its ultimate goals.
