Harjeet Wasan
Vice President
Tux Hospitality Private Limited
Editor: Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
It started in 1988 when I took admission in IHM. Started with Imperial New Delhi as a MT after finishing IHM. My idea to join IHM was to get into something different than the usual Medical or engineering and was never keen to get into a desk job. Since then, it has been no looking back.
Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
This industry is all about passion. One has to be passionate about his work. There is no rocket science here but just common sense and working with people ( staff ) for people ( guests ).
Editor: What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring?
A candidate has to have a positive attitude and the need for that job. He has to be hungry for success.
Editor: What according to you can trainees do while they are training at hotels to make it a win-win for them & the hotel/unit?
I always feel that trainees are our future staff. So they have to be handled in a professional way. One should have a organised approach for their roasters. This helps them to learn and at the same time it reduces the manpower cost.
Editor: Tell us a little about your average day.
Now I am looking after the hospitality division of Shipra Real Estate. Which means, I am responsible for Operations, Finance, Sales etc for all the units. But my focus is on BD as we are a growing company and we need to have more hotels under our brand, Tux Hospitality. I have to travel as my hotels are in various locations like Alwar, Jaipur, Panipat, Mussoorie and Noida.
Editor: How do keep abreast of all that is happening in hospitality?
Have been in the industry for good 24 years and have PR as my forte. So I keep connecting to industry colleagues and we discuss various trends and markets. also by reading various hospitality magazines and hospemag is one of them.
Editor: Two reasons why this industry is awesome!
Every day is a different work profile, hence no fixed JD and hence it is exciting. One gets an opportunity to meet and know people from all walks of life.
Editor: Two things you would like to change about the industry.
We are still behind a lot of industries as far as salaries are concerned.