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Bijoy Sengupta (Ex Marriott, Accor, FRHI, Swissotel, RateTiger)

This course is designed for current and aspiring hoteliers. The instructor shares his knowledge and experience in simple words and explains concepts that are non negotiable in the modern hospitality industry. This is Part 1 of 2.

This course has been specifically designed for hotel owners, hotel managers or operators of small, independent hotels and mid-level managers of medium to large hotels who are grooming themselves to become general managers.

Read more

This course is designed for current and aspiring hoteliers. The instructor shares his knowledge and experience in simple words and explains concepts that are non negotiable in the modern hospitality industry. This is Part 1 of 2.

This course has been specifically designed for hotel owners, hotel managers or operators of small, independent hotels and mid-level managers of medium to large hotels who are grooming themselves to become general managers.

This course will also be useful for entrepreneurs who are looking to set up their hospitality establishments. It will give them an overview of the processes and tasks required to carry out sustainable hotel operations, which they can then adapt to suit the size of their operations.

This course will aide all those hospitality professionals who are looking to upskill and orient themselves towards growth and streamline their learning in becoming successful hotel general managers.

The course covers the range of responsibilities of a general manager. From managing daily tasks to their over accountability towards running a successful hotel. It will give you an idea about their typical day and an overall understanding of the goals of their role.

Completing this program will give you a head start if you are a young hospitality professional, and the edge to position yourself better when you apply for a general manager’s position.

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What's inside

Learning objective

Roles, duties and responsibilities of a hotel manager or general manager

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction to the Course
About the Instructor
Preview of the Course
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Reviews summary

Solid foundation for hotel managers

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation and a clear overview of the roles and responsibilities of a Hotel General Manager. Students frequently mention that the instructor shares valuable practical insights drawn from his experience, making the content relevant and easy to understand, especially for beginners or those aspiring to management roles. While praised for its introductory clarity and coverage of key operational areas like meetings and basic finance, some learners note that as a foundation course (Part 1), it lacks the depth needed for experienced professionals or detailed study of specific topics.
Details key tasks and overview of the role.
"Liked how it covered various types of meetings and committees a GM is involved in."
"Gave me a clear idea of the typical daily tasks and overall scope of the GM role."
"The introduction to finance and internal controls was a helpful overview."
"It clearly outlines the main areas of accountability for a hotel manager."
Instructor shares valuable real-world experience.
"The instructor shares practical tips based on his extensive experience which were very valuable."
"Learned from real-life examples and scenarios discussed by the instructor."
"Very useful insights from his experience, making the content grounded in reality."
"Appreciated the real-world perspective offered throughout the lectures."
Provides a solid starting point for beginners.
"This course provided me with a great starting point for understanding the basics of hotel management."
"An excellent introduction to the role of a General Manager. Very helpful for someone like me who is just starting out."
"Good basic overview for beginners or those considering a career in hospitality management."
"I needed a foundational understanding, and this course delivered exactly that in a clear way."
Suitable for beginners but may lack depth.
"Too basic for experienced managers looking for advanced strategies."
"Wish it went into more depth on certain financial aspects or specific operational challenges."
"Good as Part 1, definitely need Part 2 or other resources for a more comprehensive understanding."
"The course is fine for an overview but doesn't provide deep dives into complex topics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Hotel Management - Foundation Course for Hotel Managers with these activities:
Review Hotel Financial Statements
Reinforce your understanding of hotel finance, a crucial aspect of a general manager's role, by reviewing financial statements.
Show steps
  • Gather examples of hotel income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
  • Analyze key financial ratios relevant to hotel performance.
  • Identify areas of financial strength and weakness in sample hotel financials.
Read 'Setting the Table' by Danny Meyer
Gain insights into creating exceptional guest experiences and fostering a positive work environment, crucial for hotel managers.
View Setting the Table on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, paying attention to Meyer's philosophy of 'Enlightened Hospitality'.
  • Reflect on how these principles can be applied to hotel management.
  • Identify specific strategies for improving guest satisfaction and employee morale.
Role-Play Daily Management Meetings
Practice leading and participating in daily management meetings to improve communication and decision-making skills.
Show steps
  • Partner with a classmate to simulate a daily management meeting.
  • Assign roles (e.g., general manager, department heads).
  • Discuss key operational issues and potential solutions.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other on meeting facilitation and participation.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop a Crisis Management Plan Outline
Solidify your understanding of crisis management by creating a detailed outline for a hotel-specific crisis management plan.
Show steps
  • Research common crises that hotels face (e.g., natural disasters, security breaches).
  • Outline key sections of a crisis management plan (e.g., communication protocols, evacuation procedures).
  • Identify roles and responsibilities for crisis response team members.
Read 'The Heart of Hospitality' by Micah Solomon
Learn from industry leaders about delivering exceptional customer service and building a customer-centric culture.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the strategies for creating memorable guest experiences.
  • Identify key takeaways that can be implemented in a hotel setting.
  • Discuss the book's concepts with peers to gain different perspectives.
Design a Hotel Internal Controls Checklist
Create a practical checklist for hotel staff to ensure adherence to internal controls, reinforcing financial accountability.
Show steps
  • Research common internal controls used in hotels.
  • Develop a checklist covering key areas such as cash handling, inventory management, and purchasing.
  • Ensure the checklist is clear, concise, and easy for staff to use.
Develop a Hotel Guest Experience Improvement Plan
Apply your knowledge to create a comprehensive plan for improving the guest experience at a specific hotel.
Show steps
  • Select a hotel (real or hypothetical) to focus on.
  • Conduct research on current guest satisfaction levels and areas for improvement.
  • Develop specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for improving the guest experience.
  • Outline strategies for achieving these goals, including changes to service standards, facilities, and employee training.

Career center

Learners who complete Hotel Management - Foundation Course for Hotel Managers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Hotel General Manager
A Hotel General Manager oversees all aspects of a hotel's operations, ensuring smooth daily functioning and overall success. This course directly addresses the roles, duties, and responsibilities of a general manager, providing a strong foundation for anyone aspiring to this leadership position. The course covers areas like daily management, guest experience, and financial controls, all of which are essential for effective general management. Learning about typical daily tasks, meetings, and committee management will give you an edge when applying for a role as a hotel general manager.
Hotel Owner
Aspiring Hotel Owners will find this course extremely beneficial as it provides a comprehensive overview of hotel operations. The course's focus on sustainable hotel operations, daily tasks, and financial controls are critical for managing and growing a successful establishment. The modules on meetings and committee management, along with understanding a general manager's responsibilities, will help you understand the management side of your hotel, allowing you to make informed decisions. This course will give you insight into how to operate a hotel.
Hotel Operations Manager
A Hotel Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of a hotel, ensuring efficiency and quality in all departments. This course introduces key concepts essential for a Hotel Operations Manager, such as understanding the responsibilities of the general manager and how they oversee daily operations. The focus on meetings, maintaining service standards, and financial controls allows you to understand the various duties of a manager. An understanding of how to improve the guest experience makes this course a good fit.
Hospitality Consultant
A Hospitality Consultant advises hotel owners and managers on improving operations, guest experiences, and overall business performance. This course covers many areas that are critical for a consultant to understand. The material on daily hotel management, maintaining standards, and understanding the financial aspects of the business will make you a well-rounded consultant. The detailed overview of a general manager's role provides insight into the challenges and opportunities within a hotel. Learning about the different meetings and committees will be useful in this career.
Hotel Revenue Manager
A Hotel Revenue Manager is responsible for optimizing pricing and revenue strategies to maximize profitability. This course may provide useful insights for a hotel revenue manager through its content on daily pricing checks and financial controls. This provides some perspective on areas outside the revenue manager's scope. This course’s introduction to hotel finance also helps to build understanding of interconnected areas within the larger hotel business. Understanding the responsibilities of a general manager and their daily activities may improve your ability as a hotel revenue manager.
Hotel Sales Manager
A Hotel Sales Manager focuses on generating revenue through sales strategies and building relationships with clients. While not directly focused on sales, this course may be useful for hotel sales managers as it provides a broader understanding of the hotel's operations, challenges, and daily tasks. The modules on daily management, maintaining service standards, and financial controls provide good context that can help sales managers excel in their roles. Its coverage of the general manager's responsibilities will give you a greater understanding of the business.
Hotel Marketing Manager
A Hotel Marketing Manager develops and implements strategies to promote a hotel and attract guests. This course may be helpful to a marketing manager because it provides an understanding of hotel daily operations and standards of service. The coursework will help to develop a deeper understanding of the guest experience and the importance of maintaining brand standards. While this course may not directly discuss marketing, this information may help you develop strategies to meet guest needs and grow the business. This course has a very different focus, but may still assist your career.
Food and Beverage Manager
A Food and Beverage Manager oversees the operations of all food and beverage outlets within a hotel, ensuring quality and customer satisfaction. This course may be useful to a food and beverage manager with its overview of hotel operations and the responsibilities of the general manager. The course content on meetings, financial controls, and service standards may also contribute to your effectiveness. The content of this course will give you an understanding of the broader hotel environment and the general management perspective.
Front Office Manager
A front office manager is responsible for the guest's first interaction with the hotel, usually during check-in. This course may be useful to a front office manager as it covers general hotel operations, meetings, and daily routines. The content on maintaining service standards and creating guest experiences is especially relevant for this role. While this course provides a broad overview of hotel management, it can still inform decisions you may make in the front office. Learn about the overall business of a hotel.
Hotel Human Resources Manager
A Hotel Human Resources Manager is responsible for managing employee relations, hiring, and training. This course may be helpful because it introduces the role of a general manager and the need for smooth daily operations. The course's coverage of committees, including the Employee Wellbeing Committee, provides some context. Understanding a hotel's broader goals and management structures will give you a perspective on how to better support your employees. This course has an indirect relationship to this role.
Conference and Events Manager
A Conference and Events Manager oversees the planning and execution of meetings, events, and conferences within a hotel. This course may be useful to the conference and events manager. The course covers topics on meetings, daily schedules, and maintaining service standards, which may enhance your ability to manage events successfully. The coursework on brand standards and guest satisfaction applies to events as well. While this course does not directly address event planning, it may provide context that can be valuable to a conference and events manager.
Hotel Maintenance Manager
A Hotel Maintenance Manager is responsible for the upkeep and repair of a hotel's facilities. While this course is not focused on maintenance, it may be helpful to a maintenance manager because it explains the overall operational structure of a hotel. This course helps you understand how maintenance integrates into the larger context of the hotel business. The course’s topics on meetings and committees may help you understand the administrative structure. This course has an indirect relationship to this role.
Concierge
A Concierge provides personalized services to hotel guests. This course may be helpful to a concierge because it introduces important concepts related to guest satisfaction and service standards. While it broadly covers hotel operations, it does not touch on the specific requirements of a concierge. It provides an indirect benefit of understanding the general manager perspective and the overall business. This course has an indirect relationship to this role.
Night Auditor
A Night Auditor is responsible for reconciling the day's financial transactions and preparing reports for hotel management. This course may be useful to a night auditor because it discusses financial controls. However, it is not directly related to the day-to-day tasks of a night auditor. It provides a general overview of the financial side of the hotel. This course has an indirect relationship to this role.
Housekeeping Manager
A Housekeeping Manager oversees the cleaning and maintenance of hotel rooms and public areas. This course may provide some general context through its discussion of guest satisfaction and service standards. However, it does not address the specific responsibilities of a housekeeping manager. It provides an overview of the broader operations of a hotel, which may indirectly help you in your work. The course has an indirect relationship to this role.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Hotel Management - Foundation Course for Hotel Managers.
Explores the concept of 'Enlightened Hospitality' and its impact on business success. Danny Meyer, a renowned restaurateur, shares his insights on creating exceptional guest experiences and fostering a positive work environment. It provides valuable lessons on service, leadership, and building a strong company culture, all of which are essential for hotel managers. This book offers a deeper understanding of hospitality beyond the operational aspects.
Provides insights from top hotel and restaurant leaders on delivering exceptional customer service. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, personalization, and creating memorable experiences for guests. It offers practical strategies for building a customer-centric culture and empowering employees to provide outstanding service. This book is valuable for understanding the human element of hospitality and how to cultivate a service-oriented mindset.

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