HOTELIER AWARDS 2013: HR shortlist revealed
The Hotelier Middle East Awards are less than one month away now and it is time to unveil the shortlist. In total, 90 hoteliers across 18 individual awards categories have been shortlisted, along with five hotel teams for the coveted Team of the Year Award.
The winners will be announced at a gala event at the world’s tallest hotel, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai on October 30.
Here we unveil the finalists for HR Person of the Year Award, which was won last year by Alena Miatlushka from Crowne Plaza Hotel Bahrain.
KRISTINA VANEVA, MANAGER, EMPLOYEE MARKETING, ATLANTIS THE PALM
ABOUT KRISTINA
Kristina joined the team at Atlantis The Palm during the pre-opening phase in 2008. A graduate of the University of Malta, Kristina was previously a journalist, before switching to HR. In her role as employee marketing manager in the HR division, Kristina has devoted her time to ensuring the satisfaction of the 3000-strong team at Atlantis.
WHY WAS SHE NOMINATED?
Kristina is responsible for colleague engagement and overall satisfaction as well as colleague retention at Atlantis, The Palm through effective corporate mass communication, heading the official rewards and recognition program, organising departmental team building and social activities. In the last 12 months, Kristina has been in charge of successfully developing and launching Aquarius- the Atlantis Intranet site in additional to digital notice boards in the back of house area. Kristina is an advocate for environmental awareness and is committed to training interns, management trainees and volunteers across departments.
WHAT DID HER TEAM SAY?
“Kristina Vaneva has made the big difference in the lives of the more than 3000 diverse Atlantis colleagues. She is great with colleagues and is always encouraging and giving great advice. She is very professional and you would never see any work related pressure on her, always great to work with.” Biko Ombete, Dolphin Bay Husbandry
WHAT DID HER GUESTS SAY?
“During my time in Atlantis working with Kristina, I was always blown away with her passion, dedication and commitment to the employees. As a HR Marketing Manager, she worked tirelessly in organizing amazing event and activities for the employees, both in the hotel as well as the accommodation. Everyone in the hotel know who she is and that in itself is a huge accomplishment.” Marianne Albalkhi
Please click through to next page to find out who else is shortlisted…
ALENA BABENKO, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, TIME HOTELS
ABOUT ALENA
Alena began her career 20 years ago with Radisson Hotels and subsequently moved to Dubai in 1997 for her first Middle East experience. After successful stints at various hotel groups and government organizations in the UAE, Alena joined Ti’me Hotels in December 2010 as area HR manager and was promoted to director of human resources within twelve months.
WHY WAS SHE NOMINATED?
Alena created a personalised approach to recruitment by implementing a system where each interviewed candidate is guaranteed a yes/no response from the HR department within 10 days of interview and added to a database for future opportunities. She also developed the hotel’s first departmental team site for employees, where job descriptions, SOPs and internal vacancies are posted. Since joining the team, Alena has helped to implement policies, procedures and initiatives to recruit, develop, manage and motivate staff and management through incentive schemes and rewards.
WHAT DID HER TEAM SAY?
“I had the pleasure of working closely with Alena during the implementation phase of our rebranding process from Layia to TIME in 2011 and the most challenging part was our employee brand engagement program. I found Alena to be a consummate professional and truly accessible to me as I moved through the various branding stages from basic identity through to our brand values and of course ultimately our brand delivery. This is where Alena really excelled.” Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, Ti’me Hotels
WHAT DID HER GUESTS SAY?
“ Hozpitality.com has been working with Alena for several years now. She is a pleasant to work with, tackling all assignments with dedication. Alena gives honest feedback and is always very reliable. She is very patient and a good listener which is the most important criterion of being a successful HR manager. She is a team player and makes a great asset for her current company.” Raj Bhatt, owner and manager, Hozpitality.com
Please click through to next page to find out who else is shortlisted…
WASEEM HASSAN, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, JUMEIRAH CREEKSIDE HOTEL
ABOUT WASEEM
Waseem began his career as an HR assistant in HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s office before moving to the private sector. In 2009, he joined Jumeirah Group as HR Manager based in the group’s corporate office. Eight months later he joined Madinat Jumeirah as acting director of HR. In 2011, Waseem was promoted to DOHR looking after the pre and post opening team of Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.
WHY WAS HE NOMINATED?
Waseem implemented Jumeirah’s new employee recognition programme, Shukran, at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, which allows employees to accumulate points on the cards, which can be redeemed for prizes. Waseem also introduced an employee empowerment booklet at the hotel, which allows employees and managers to offer complimentary vouchers to guests in the event of any complaints or issues. Waseem also works in partnership with the hotel’s sales team to attract guests and events from various government sector organisations, using the connections he made during his time working in a public sector office.
WHAT DID HIS TEAM SAY?
“Waseem has an open door policy and offers support for colleagues on all levels. He is fair and offers direction when faced with operational challengers. He has a fantastic relationship with the colleagues and is well respected. He is a firm believer in team work and puts emphasis on colleague’s relations. He communicates with transparency and is not afraid to answer the tough questions. He has set up innovative colleague recognition and empowerment programs which gives the team the tools we need to succeed. He leads by example and I am extremely honored to work with him.” Hilary Langdon, acting executive chef
WHAT DID HIS GUESTS SAY?
“Being an effective leader takes time, desire and hard work. Waseem is not only an effective leader but also a qualified workplace coach. Waseem is an outstanding leader and coach. He brings a unique blend of real life experience along with a true passion for developing people and potential. Waseem is not only challenging and insightful, but also patient and understanding, with remarkable instincts and knowledge.” Ilze Els Mulder, program director, Results Coaching Systems LLC
Please click through to next page to find out who else is shortlisted…
Please click through to next page to find out who else is shortlisted…
SOLANGE CORM, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, HILTON DOHA
ABOUT SOLANGE
Solange joined the hospitality industry in 2003 and has worked at several hotel groups in various capacities before settling on HR as a career choice. In 2011 she joined Hilton during the pre-opening and successfully opened first Hilton property in Doha in Qatar, playing a key role in supporting the GM and the team. Since the opening in 2012 Solange’s engagement and passion led to winning a series of awards; five awards related to HR and three awards related to hotel operations.
WHY WAS SHE NOMINATED?
As director of human resources, Solange has improved employee engagement score, demonstrated by the hotel’s perfect GTMS (Global Team Member Survey) score. Based on her achievements at the hotel, Solange was chosen to part of the team within Hilton in the region to take the initiative to update the HR manual. Solange was also recently elected as a key member representing HR in the executive committee of center of quality within Hilton Hotels in MEA helping other hotels in their SALT score (Guest Satisfaction Program) challenges.
WHAT DID HER TEAM SAY?
“She is quick, efficient, straight to the point and delivers results. Solange is a great performer who exceeds expectations in all her competencies, reliable leader and strong deliverer in her role. I wish I have more like her. I like her positive energy and motivation to her work. She is passionate about her job and for her it is not just a job, it is a journey that defines her life.” Andreas Jersabeck, GM, Hilton Doha
WHAT DID HER GUESTS SAY?
“Solange has all qualities of a great hotelier and mostly to be in people management. She inspires many with her leadership skills and interpersonal skills. Her approach to all circumstances is very fair yet is able to make fast decisions when it is needed. Very people oriented person and enchant her colleagues with her kindness, always listens and cares for others. Her capacity of tracking talents and putting them on the right path with the right support of development and training makes her an asset in each organisation where she shined for this quality.” Krystel Irani
Please click through to next page to find out who else is shortlisted…
ZAHEEN ABBAS, HR& TRAINING MANAGER, RADISSON BLU RESORT SHARJAH
ABOUT ZAHEEN
Zaheen joined the Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah three years ago as the HR and training manager and is responsible for recruitment in the hotel. Before entering the hospitality Industry, Zaheen worked in the healthcare Industry - at the American Hospital in Dubai for more than eight years.
WHY WAS SHE NOMINTAED?
With a focus on retention through a clear and strategic training plan for employees Zaheen has substantially reduced employee turnover, thereby reducing recruitment costs for the hotel over the last two years. Zaheen has also taken on the role of master responsible business trainer for the property, increasing employees’ knowledge of environmental issues and increasing participation in environmentally friendly activities at the hotel.
WHAT DID HER TEAM SAY?
“Zaheen has created an open environment in the HR department where employees feel safe to go and express needs and feelings. She has provided good leadership skills enabling employees to work more efficiently. She has increased training hours, by becoming a Master trainer. On a regional level her training is appreciated. She is a good team player within the Management team. Her main strength is trusted by all which adds to her performance as well as the department.” Basel Talal, General Manager Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah