Not many men will allow their wives pick up employment in a hotel for the simple reason of trying to protect them from likely harassment and assaults from male patrons & such facilities. However, the Front Office Manager, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Ebi Emmanuel-Seimodel, said that contrary to insinuations, women could actually pursue a career in hotels with their integrity and values intact. She also took BRIDGET CHIEDU ONOCHIE through the glamour and challenges of her office, especially as the only female manager of the apex hospitality industry.
Career in the hotel
I started in the hotel’s Front Office as a Youth Corper. I grew through the ranks. I was the pioneer staff of the Executive Floor, which is part of the Front Office; it is like a smaller hotel within a hotel. I later became a supervisor, grew to be the reservation manager, yield manager, which is part of revenue and then, the Front Desk Manager. Right now, I am the only female head of department in the hotel.
The Front Office
The Front Office department is like the face of the hotel. Every guest that comes into the hotel goes through the Front Office. It is the first and last point of contact. So, whatever impression a customer gets from the hotel comes from the Front Office.
Her husband and career
Of course, his friends asked him if he wanted to marry a lady working in a hotel. But the fact is that I was working in the hotel before we met and I told him the exigencies of my job, which entail meeting with people, majority of whom are males. So, to marry me, he had to accept me the way I am. He had to trust me to the extent that even when he sees men hugging or pecking me, there would be no insinuations.
When we got married, I made him relax by allowing him pick my calls. I also tried to introduce him to people as my husband whenever he was around my office.
Experiences with men
Of course, men will always make advances at a woman. Even as a married woman, some men would still approach you. If they don’t, then, something is definitely wrong with the woman.
Men make advances to young, middle-aged as well as older women in the work place but no need to flare up. It only requires diplomacy, especially when one is in the hospitality industry.
At times, customers may want to have dinner with me; all I do is to tell my husband about such dates.
Getting guests satisfied
I don’t work alone in my department. I have about 135 team members working under me and 98 of them are graduates. So, I have line managers and to get the job going, I must delegate duties. I have different managers who are in charge of different sections and I hold each of them responsible for his or her section.
My assistants must ensure that line managers are checked. I have to be visible at all times to ensure I monitor what goes on with the guests.
Impact of your office
It has made me a better customer service personnel. There is no place I cannot enter because I know how to address every calibre of people.
Growing up in the job, there is no way I can talk to you without making you smile.
Growing up
I grew up in a military background. My father was a military officer and I am the first child. I have the upbringing of issuing orders to people because the military officer treats his children like soldiers. So, it made me strong, bold and confident. Nothing scares me.
I wanted to read law but when that failed, I went for sociology because I needed a course that would teach me to socialise.
I attended the University of Jos. I like interacting with people and I wanted to be a social worker. I did my Industrial Attachment with the Police Service and would have loved to join the Police if my father had not refused
I then wanted to join the Paramilitary, yet, my father also refused until I finally settled for the hospitality industry. It is the best place to interact with people and make them happy.
While the military made me strict, the hospitality industry made me authoritative and democratic. To get things going, you have to give orders that must be obeyed but there are also times when you engage them in soft talks. So, my upbringing has helped in the day-to-day demand of my office, which entails service delivery and guests’ satisfaction.
Office and home
I have two lives. Immediately I get to the hotel gate, I am the Front Office Manager and my focus is how my team would move things forward to ensure every guest coming in or going out is satisfied. As I drive out of the gate, I remember I am married. I become a totally different person.
My husband does not eat outside and he does not eat the soup cooked by another person. So, I have devised means of satisfying the home front. At weekends when I am home, I make up for other days I am at work by cooking different kinds of soup to ensure he has changes. I give him breakfast, lunch and dinner that are like those of Hilton.
As a wife, I cannot throw away my responsibilities. Most career women have jettisoned their marital responsibilities but I think we should create a balance. If we leave the home for househelps, they will become madams. It is not bad to have maids but cooking should be handled by the wife. Afterall, if a man gives the option of career or family, one will not choose career. If you do, who will you turn to if you lose that job?
Advice for women aspiring to pick careers in hotel
Before now, people see hotel job as exclusive for drop- outs or promiscuous women. Most men find it difficult to believe that graduates work in hotels. But as a woman, one must not throw away her values; she must learn to carry herself decently because it is a men-dominated terrain. She must not be swayed by advances or antics. She must be professional at all times and should be able to draw a line between social and professional lives. You don’t mix pleasure and work, otherwise you cheapen yourself. Your integrity is at stake.
Generally, women should not be intimidated. They should be confident, intelligent and have a voice. I play dual roles here. When I am with men, I think as a man and I am at advantage, there are times I use feminine instinct to get things done. Some women, who feel intimidated, build walls shielding them from the world of men. They should be confident.
A career woman is one who is focused and drive things. Women should always be shining stars wherever they are so that they can pave ways for younger women.
Fashion
I like bright colours such as red. About being fashionable, I can tell you that my parents love fashion. They are always well dressed. So, growing up, I knew church dress, play dress and outing dress. I was brought up to be well dressed at all times and my job also entails an image building.
As a Front Office Manager, I am one of the images of the Hotel. I like looking good all the time, that has been my trademark.