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

I have graduated with a tourism degree, forethought my career in the Airlines industry by seeing my elder brother flourishing in the same industry. Becoming an Hotelier was not my passion to pursue after graduation. In between my own hustle of career, I come across a buzz that Taj Lucknow was looking to hire cricket players for Taj Inter Hotels Cricket tournament.

As I am a professional cricketer trained by Mr. Ramakant Acheraker (Sachin’s Tendulkars Coach) in Mumbai. I also represented Lucknow University twice in the North Zone Inter University Cricket tournament along with other prestigious tournaments. During that period, I was aspiring for UP Ranji Team. So I joined Taj and worked for a couple of year with feasible timings. Taj allowed me to continue my cricket and I finally got selected in UP Ranji Team as a probable for the session 2005-06.

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

To develop a successful career in the fast-paced hospitality industry, one should always be on your toes to meet with every new trend and standard, expected to handle challenges bravely, identify customers’ needs swiftly, and solve problems effectively with an inquisitive attitude and a desire to learn new things.

As a hospitality professional, most important is the constant learning, and being aware of modernity. Without a will to learn new things, there’s no scope for anyone in the constantly evolving hospitality field.

Editor: Share some of your secrets in keeping an engaged, safe and happy team.

We at Hilton Garden Inn always believes in providing a healthy environment to our team members, as guests expects an experience which is promised to them; the same is expected by our internal customers i.e. our team members.

There’re 7 Golden rules we always lead by at Hilton:

Work-Life Balance –

Unlike most hotels which work for 6 days, we but being the leader in the industry, we have 5 days workweek for our employees.

Flexible Working Schedules –

‘It’s Ok’ program’ No other hospitality company have such kind of program for their team members.

Listening to your employees –

Through GTMS & GPTW surveys conducted every year to rectify the root cause of issues. Then taking the feedback to develop an action plan to resolve the issue.

We support feedbacks and suggestions for improvement and betterment every month, we welcome innovative ideas. Creating a transparent and safe workplace, an unbiased approach towards any team members. No retaliation Policy along with a Robust Grievance Redressal System.

Create Career Mobility –

‘Hire Hilton’ we always intend to give internal growth, giving preference to those who have worked with us in past.

A Positive Work Environment –

Bright-hearted departmental meetings monthly to address concerns & In the ‘Thrive @ Hilton’ program we focus on the mind, body, and spirit of team members for overall development as an individual, not just an employee.

Recognition –

Recognize employees for their hard work and reward them (Unique Recognition Program with minimum quantum of Rs.1500 for each category in place to recognize and reward the hard work)

Offer Extensive Benefits –

Medical health and other wellness offerings tie with hospitals like Medanta & Apollo)

Editor: How are you using technology in Human Resources?

At Hilton Garden Inn we are using advanced tech tools to effectively and smartly manage HR functions, such as the Lobby portal, which is basically an ocean of information about the Hilton brand, Learning, online performance management system tool TMX, and Hilton University for all learning needs of Team Members.

We also have an ‘employee self-service portal’ in place along with facial attendance and HRMS to get the desired results. We also use some other tools designed to understand human behaviors like mood surveys and happiness index surveys.

Editor: What is your favorite interview question & why?

I always ask one question to candidates: Which is the most difficult situation you have handled earlier at your workplace and were you able to handle it well or did you mess up?

This question gives me an insight into the candidate. It gives me an idea about their mental functioning and problem-solving capabilities. You also get an idea about the patience level of the person, which I believe is the most important skill in the hospitality sector.