Author: bongani

Meet Mike Vroom, an International Hotel School alumni, now a distinguished leader in the Hospitality Industry with over 20 years of globalleadership experience. Mike’s journey began with his studies in HospitalityManagement at the International Hotel School (2006 – 2008), paving the way for a remarkable career trajectory. Starting in Cape Town, Mike managed restaurants at some of the city’sfinest hotels before moving to Johannesburg, where he played a pivotal role as Rooms Division Manager at The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa. His notable career also encompasses executive positions at renowned establishments like Dukes Dubai, voted ‘World’s Leading New Hotel’ in 2017. Mike has since joined Newmark Hotels and Reserves, a world-classspecialist management company of African luxury hotels and reserves,where he serves as Chief Operating Officer. Here, he continues to leadbusiness units to success, embodying a steadfast commitment to excellence and innovation in hospitality management. We had the honour of interviewing Mike, whose insights are invaluable notonly for our students but also for hospitality professionals looking toadvance their careers. Please describe your journey to becoming Chief Operating Officer at Newmark Hotels and Reserves My path to becoming the Chief Operating Officer (COO) started almost 20 years ago and was a combination of formal education through International Hotel school, varied professional experiences across Africa and the Middle East, strategic career moves, and a commitment to continuous learning, development and hospitality delivery. I began my journey with a strong educational foundation through IHS. During my studies, I developed a solid understanding of business principles, management strategies and operational processes. My initial interest in operations management led me to continued growth and understanding of this key leadership standpoint. This advanced thinking equipped me with specialised knowledge and analytical skills necessary for high-level operational roles in an industry that is so passionate about living the experiences. Over the next few years, I took on progressively challenging roles at formidable hospitality players like Liz McGrath Collection, Cape Grace, the renowned Saxon Hotel and then DUKES based in Dubai. These roles encompassed overall understanding in hospitality from F&B, Rooms, S&M, revenue and financial. Each position provided me with new challenges and learning opportunities, from managing teams and large-scale projects to developing and executing strategic initiatives. One significant career milestone was being part of leading a team that opened the 600-bedroom DUKES Dubai on Palm Jumeriah which was voted best New Hotel 2017 by World Travel awards. This achievement not only demonstrated ability to lead complex projects but also highlighted my capacity to drive tangible business results. Understanding the importance of diverse experiences, I made the strategic career move to return to South Africa and rejoin NewmarkHotels as Director of Operations. This role exposed me to a number of new regions and strategic leadership learnings and operationalframeworks throughout Africa. I also invested in leadership development through executive training programmes. These programmes honed my leadership skills andprovided me with advanced tools to manage operations effectively. As COO of Newmark Hotels, I am now responsible for the overall operational efficiency of the company. My role involves working closely with other executives to develop and implement strategies that drive growth and ensure operational excellence throughout our existing and new properties. I am focused on fostering a culture of continuous improvement, development & leveraging technology to enhance operations. This alongside a key focus on delivering authentic guest experiences while leading initiatives that align with our long-term vision for both growth of the business and team members is a key driver in my day-to-day role. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to professional growth, staying abreast of industry trends, and continuously seekingways to enhance my skills and knowledge. I am a firm believer and driver of teams and their growth. Our teams are the face and success of our business. Their dedication has been instrumental in my journey to becoming COO, and I look forward to leveraging my experiences to drive further success for Newmark Hotels & Reserves. What piece of advice would you give to an aspiring Chief Operating Officer for one of the leading hotel groups in Africa? Africa, I believe is still one of the biggest untapped markets for hospitality globally. We have such an abundance of resources and experiences that speak to so many around the world. There is a firm belief that the soil of Africa holds an energy that is felt nowhere else. I am always reminded of the passion of the people and the soul, love and enthusiasm of Africa when arriving back from travel anywhere else in the world. This ultimately links to a main point which is embracing cultural sensitivity and local expertise. Some points that I think are vital to understand would be the below: Understand and Respect Local Cultures: Africa is a continent rich in cultural diversity, with each country and even region within countries having their own unique traditions, customs and business practices. We have learnt that you need to immerse yourself in the environment that you are working in. As a COO, it’s important to develop a deep understanding and respect for these cultural nuances. This involves not only learning about the local customs but also appreciating how they impact business operations, customer expectations and employee interactions. Build Strong Local Networks: Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with local stakeholders is crucial. This includes local government officials, community leaders, suppliers and other key partners. We have found this to be one of the biggest learnings as we enter new markets and territories. Building these networks will help you navigate the local business landscape more effectively and foster goodwill, which is essential for long-term success. Focus on Local Talent Development: A key focus is ensuring that we invest in the development of local talent by providing training and growth opportunities for employees. The local workforce has so much insight and understanding and key to leveraging on success. Empowering the local employees and communities to take on leadership roles can also help to significantly enhance our operations and brand reputation. Adapting… Continue reading Mike Vroom A Leader in The Hospitality Industry