Sofitel Luxury Hotel launched its Global Ambassador program connecting its 25,000 worldwide employees. The program, created to develop its employees into ambassadors for the brand, includes three phases: to attract talented employees, retain employees with special training courses and offer employees career advancement opportunities.

To Attract Talented Employees
A select group of students from 15 hotel schools around the world will participate in a 12-18 month program led by Sofitel managers. This management training School of Excellence program is intended to be a career accelerator, offering special conditions and personal support from a manager acting as the student’s mentor. Promoting successful growth from an internship level to a supervisory position, this program is also available for internal staff.

To Offer Training Courses
This phase includes required training courses on the three key Sofitel values:
*Spirit of Openness: After an orientation program, each new employee will explore the brand, its standards and the concepts of appearance and attitude.
*Passion for Excellence: This course includes learning the keys to a luxury experience and basic education of management practices.
*Essence of “Plaisir: Devoted to “tailored service,” this course teaches employees how to anticipate the customers’ expectations to make each stay a unique, personalized experience.

At the end of the full series of courses, a ceremony is held to officially welcome the new employees as certified ambassadors.

To Promote Career Advancement
The third step was created to offer additional training courses for career development. From becoming a manager, an internal trainer or a recognized expert in the field, employees will receive personal attention to reach their long-term career goals.

Sofitel has now focused its efforts on improving the brand’s luxury cachet and expanding its international network in targeted cities. The Ambassador program is part of Sofitel’s Be Magnifique brand strategy. Be Magnifique is defined by six key aspects: French elegance, “cousu-main” tailor-made service, collection of addresses, levels of performance, general manager: an “entrepreneur”, and the newly launched Sofitel Ambassador program.

Source: HospitalityWorldNetwork.com

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