News for the Hospitality Executive |
by Dr.
John
Hogan, CHE, CHA, CMHS
August 17, 2011 Many of our
earlier Hospitality ConversationsTM columns
that have examined internships have been at major universities with
traditional
four year academic programs. Several of these programs have
international
components that may include global internships and/or students from
around the
globe.
This column
takes a different approach and includes
feedback and observations from Sonja Holverson1,
Professeur en Marketing ECOLE HOTELIERE DE
LAUSANNE. Professor Holverson has an
extensive career background in both academia and in the business side
of
hospitality. She has an MBA from HEC
University of Lausanne, a diploma in Business Administration from the
Centre
romand de promotion du management (CRPM), and a BA from the University
of
Hawaii. Her two-decade long career in the hospitality and tourism
industry
includes sales and marketing positions in Hawaii, California and
Switzerland in
many different positions, including hotels, restaurants, tour
operators, travel
agencies, incentive travel companies and cruise lines.
Professor Holverson’s research and teaching experience includes giving executive courses on hotel branding in China and presenting research on hotel branding and affiliations at conferences in Switzerland, the US and Dubai. She particularly enjoys interactive classes where students are very involved by contributing innovative and productive ideas to well-structured discussions and projects. Research interests:
We combined this column with our Questions I Wish You Would Ask Me™ to get a global perspective on travel, learning and hospitality. 1. Name your favorite hotel and why it is special to you Beau Rivage Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland. Despite its ornate over-the top- elegance, the staff is not formal nor arrogant and make all guests feel very comfortable. It’s a wonderful escape from the daily routine. 2. Name your favorite restaurant and why it is special to you La Poste, Grandvaux, Lavaux vineyards near Lausanne, Switzerland. Truly amazing all glass 2-sided view from up the hill located in the vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva and the French and Swiss Alps. Besides the view, the owners are always most gracious to me and I have fond memories of family and friends who have passed on as well as those still living with whom I shared special moments here. 3. Where do you vacation the most often? Paris or Barcelona 4. What is your favorite charity or cause? Alzheimers Association 5. Name your pet service peeve, why and any ideas you may have to address it. Not knowing the answer to my questions about a product and not offering to get the information from someone else. Training in customer service would be a logical start to correct this (although not all companies even do this) , but also it is important to know how to share information within a company and how to access it. 6. Who was the most important mentor in your life and why? My Father. He was courageous and taught me how to deal with difficult situations and still remain calm and resourceful. 7. In the last five years, what has been your most memorable meeting or convention experience and why? Travelcom by the US Travel Association in Chicago 2008 when Henry Harteveldt interviewed Richard Branson. It was most inspirational and motivating to know that travel giants can also be ethical and authentic. 8. What is the one piece of advice you would offer to a graduating student with a hospitality degree? Remain flexible, be yourself, keep your joie de vivre and then you will be able to do anything you like. 9. What is the one question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview today? Did you think 10 years ago that you would have accomplished all that you have today? ______________________________ 1 http://www.ehl.edu/eng/Enseignement/Enseignants/Profils-des-professeurs/Sonja-HOLVERSON 2 http://ch.linkedin.com/in/sonjaholverson
We have asked dozens of people involved in hospitality businesses around the world to answer up to nine questions in this special section of HospitalityEducators.com. If you would like to participate, please contact [email protected] Success does not come by accident or chance. Contact us for assistance: [email protected] or 602-799-5375
Feel free to share an idea for a column at [email protected] anytime or contact me regarding consulting, customized workshops, speaking engagements … And remember – we all need a regular dose of common sense. John Hogan is a successful hospitality executive, educator, author and consultant and is a frequent keynote speaker and seminar leader at many hospitality industry events. He is Co-Founder of www.HospitalityEducators.com , which delivers focused and affordable counsel in solving specific challenges facing hospitality today. Consulting Expertise and Research Interest
www.HospitalityEducators.com is a membership site offering a wide range of information, forms, best practices and ideas designed to help individual hoteliers and hospitality businesses improve their market penetration, deliver service excellence and increase their profitability. www.HoganHospitality.com Your Hospitality Resource for the Hotel Owner, Innkeeper, Manager and Hospitality Industry Associations. |
Contact: John Hogan, CHE CHA CMHS United States - Phoenix, Phone: 602-799-5375 www.hoganhospitality.com [email protected] http://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohnhoganchache
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