What Type Of Person Thrives In The Hospitality Industry According To A Vice President Of Hotel Operations At A Major Hotel And Casino Brand
Tommy, a Vice President of Hotel Operations, highlights organization, a personable demeanor ("someone people are gonna like to be around"), and a 24/7 work ethic as crucial for success in the hospitality industry. The ability to connect with colleagues, building a strong professional network ("this almost like cohort type of bond"), is also vital, as illustrated by Tommy's Super Bowl Sunday work experience prioritizing operational success above personal leisure.
Organization, Relationship Building, Adaptability, Guest Focus, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tommy Harris
Vice President of Hotel Operations
Large Hotel & Casino Brand
University of Nevada Las Vegas / 2022
UCLA / MBA - Expected graduation June 2024
Psychology
Hospitality, Restaurants & Events
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Organization and time management are crucial skills for success in the hospitality industry, especially in large-scale operations where many employees and resources must be coordinated.
2. A personable attitude and the ability to connect with people are essential for thriving in hospitality, as it is a customer-centric industry where building positive relationships is key.
3. The hospitality industry operates 24/7, so flexibility and a strong work ethic, including working holidays, are necessary. Success often involves prioritizing guests, employees, and the bottom line in that order.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in the hospitality industry?
I'm thriving in the hospitality industry. I would say organization is key. You have to be organized, especially in Vegas, where you're dealing with very large properties, large amounts of guests, and a large number of employees.
Organization is definitely key. Thriving means being organized, in control of your time and resources. Realize that your time is valuable; how you use it can significantly benefit or hurt you.
When it comes to thriving, it's also about your personality. You have to be personable, someone people like to be around. Carry yourself in a way that meets expectations. You can create those expectations yourself, as long as it's positive, welcoming, and open.
Many hotels market themselves as entertainment companies. It's true that you're almost on stage. Being yourself is best, but if you can't, you need to be the person people expect: welcoming, positive, and engaging with their interests.
Another aspect of thriving is understanding that this is a 24/7 operation. Hotels never close, and something is always going on. This is part of the thrive, part of the connections you make.
You're operating something that's always open, even on holidays like July 4th, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. These are dates you might be working because operations are open, and they are big revenue days. You'll be working even harder to achieve your goals.
A perfect example of thriving is yesterday. It was the Super Bowl, and I was working. I went back and forth and didn't get to see the game or commercials; I worked the entire time. I hit my numbers, and the employees needed to hit theirs.
To me, that's not a big deal, but to some, it might be. That's part of what drives you in this industry. It's ingrained that it's about the guests, the employees, and your bottom line. These go in that order.
The last thing I would say about thriving is the connection to others in the industry. Everyone talks to each other and hangs out. You build a cohort-type bond with people, which helps you in the future when you need things, help, or advice. This is about knowing people and their resources.