For Ranju Alex, who has recently been appointed general manager of the Goa Marriott Resort and Spa, being in the hospitality industry is a childhood dream come true. The passion of her father, an engineer by occupation for food, coupled with her mother’s cooking skills, inspired the convent-educated girl to pursue a degree in hospitality management at the Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata.

“I was selected by the prestigious Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development for their management training programme, where I was a gold medallist. However, the journey has been far from smooth for me. I initially faced a lot of resistance from my family members, for whom academics was the sole purpose in life. While medicine, engineering and the civil services were the preferred career paths, my decision to join a hotel surprised them,” she said.

Nevertheless, Alex – who donned the chef’s hat at the beginning of her career and admitted that she was initially attracted to it because of the glamour associated with it – stuck to her   decision and worked hard. Being an extrovert helped her get a foothold in the industry. Looking back, she said, “I feel I succeeded in this field simply because I loved doing what I did. Despite completing almost two decades in the industry, I still have a spring in my step when I come to work every day.”

To be a manager, she said one must possess the skill to manage people. “Be it a guest or an associate, one has to be respectful, compassionate and empathetic. Being analytical or having sharp financial acumen definitely helps, but soft skills are more in demand,” said Alex, who has her own mantra at work – “Take care of your associates, who will take care of your guests, and your guests will come back.“

Being the general manager and a woman, it becomes too hectic at times to cope up with the demands of work and a family. “However if you set your priorities right, this challenge does not exist. “At times, a parent-teacher meeting is more important than the boardroom and vice-versa,” she said, adding that balancing the family and work is challenging, because you are the biggest stakeholder in both the worlds.

“Women themselves possess an inherent sense of hospitality in them, and this was about turning my passion into a job. I was aware that I had a flair for people and was simultaneously attracted to the glamour quotient of working in hotels. Also family support play a vital role,” Alex said, adding that her success means a lot to her family.

She also credits her  husband with playing a major role in her success. “He has made it a priority for the entire family. We did go through the pains of school admissions, house-hunting, etc., but we did it together and kept our spirits up throughout,” she said. Her children have entered their teens, so it is relatively easier now than before. She said she feels vindicated when she sees the pride in their faces with her success.

Alex loves meeting wonderful people and making lasting relationships. Her other interests include fitness-driven activities, hence she loves spending time in the gym or pool. “Reading inspiring books from the Middle-East, where women have overcome the suppression is another passion. I also love travelling and staying in good hotels, so that I can grab any learning that can come my way,” she added.

Source: www.fnbnews.com

Chris