E: What are your responsibilities?
A: My responsibility is to make sure that the positioning of the JW Marriott brand in Surabaya are in its desirable position in the market. Also to keep all of the JW Marriott brand values alive.
E: What’s a typical work day for you?
A: I usually start with a cup of coffee. The harder my day will be, the more bitter my coffee is. I like to begin with sitting down together with my team to do the daily rehearsal. After that, I have sessions with each of the departments, between the digital and public relations, to talk about all the plan of the day so they can run the daily operations smoothly. Closer to the evening, I like to read all of my emails, learn all of the hotel reports and answering to all of the reviews, including finding solutions to any problems that come up. I also take the time to take a look for any opportunity that the hotel can create, in terms of marketing and public relations.
E: Team player or team leader?
A: I want to say team leader, but I’m good at both. I would really love to lead by example, show to my team that to be a great leader you have to be a good team player first, you know? Although I enjoy to be in a leadership position, but I will also get down to business. I want to be able to see things with my own eyes, and to take care things with my own hands. This way, my team will understand that we can do anything together.
E: Name one really special thing about JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya.
A: JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya is an oasis of calm in the bustling city of Surabaya. We have everything that our customers look for when visiting the town. We have the biggest F&B operations with six outlets right here, three expatriate chefs, one meticulous steakhouse and also curated kids and family activities.
E: The most important trait to have in your work?
A: Of course being team oriented. We have to ensure that our team members have everything they need, that our team member can really perform to their top potential, and make sure that each and every person can deliver their ideas and let the best ones win.
E: What attracts you to the hospitality industry?
A: Actually, it was thanks to my mom. She was a director of events in one of the luxury hotels here in Surabaya. When I was a child, she always brought me to her workplace, which became my first interaction with luxury hospitality. That was the first time I felt the dynamics of a hotel, experienced amazing culinary creations, and met a lot of interesting people.
E: Tell us one thing about yourself that not many people know.
A: I think not many people know that I did not come from hospitality background. My education was actually international politics. To divert my career even further, I started out my career as a graphic designer, and I worked my way up since then.
Asia Dreams Volume 48
JW Marriott Hotel Surabaya
Jalan Embong Malang
Surabaya 60224, Indonesia
T: (+62) 315458888
E: mhrs.subjw.reservation@marriotthotels.com
W: jwmarriottsurabaya.com
IG: @jwmarriottsby
