Business Times Africa Magazine 2017 /vol 9/ No2 BT2Edition2017_web | Page 34

ROMAN KRABEL, DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
greatest challenge is keeping up with
the new trend and adapting to them.
Our business is constantly evolving,
for example, the booking industry has
changed. Guests have many choices
nowadays; we have to keep up with the
changes. We have to present on all sales
channels. The other challenge is that you
need to understand what is important to
today’s generation. Our industry is often
challenged to find good and motivated
young people to join us. You need to
know that their philosophy and values
in life have changed so much, compared
to my generation; and adjustments
in management styles to be made to
accommodate this change.
What is best compliment you’ve ever
received?
It’s a difficult question to answer. When
guests are happy and they compliment
the courtesy of my colleagues; when we
achieve our goals and the team receives
recognition, it is certainly a time to
be proud; and of course, when young
people consider me as their mentor. To
me, these are the best compliments.
If you must take choice, would you do
the things right or would to the right
things?
To me, it is more important to do the
right thing at the right time. The most
important thing is to have values and as
long as you do the right things based on
your values, I think it will be alright.
People always say that we can learn
from our mistakes, but why do you
think so many people are afraid to
make them?
I think no one should be afraid to
make a mistake every now and then
--- as long as you don’t make the same
mistake repeatedly. If you are afraid to
make mistakes, you will never change
anything and you won’t learn anything.
When you make anything an honest
mistake, it shows that you are trying new
things. You learn from it and you should
not be punished for trying.
Can you think of a time you made the
impossible become possible?
One of the greatest tasks I was given in
32 Business Times Africa | 2017
my career was that I had to cater for 6500
people. I thought about it for many days
and at the time, I did not know how this
could be accomplished. To make a long
story short, finally I discussed it with
colleagues and managed the task as a
team and it was a success story for all of
us.
What is the single best quality your
employees can possess? The right
attitude! They must genuinely please
our guests. All the technical skills you
can learn in time.
What do your employees expect from
you?
I would say the same thing - but not
just having the right attitude towards
pleasing guests, but also having the
right attitude towards the employees to
ensure that they are treated fairly and
motivated to achieve as a team.
“The best managers are also the best
teachers.” Do you agree?
What advice would you offer to those
who aspire to become a GM in the
hotel industry someday?
You need solid education and
diversified work experience. You need to
understand the importance of managing
people as well as the technical aspects of
the business. Of course, in order to be
successful, the most important thing is
that you need to focus on your guests.
What are your greatest strengths and
weaknesses? My strength is that I know
my weaknesses.
At work, what puts a smile on your
face? Receiving compliments from
guests such as: “I’m really looking
forward to coming back.”
What puts a frown on your face? Team
members not having the right attitude
and not taking care of our guests.
What’s next? I don’t know. I feel
fortunate! I live in a fantastic city and I
work in a beautiful hotel. I am content.
I don’t know if a teacher can be the best
manager. I think being a teacher means
“teaching”, and being a manager is more
about coaching. I believe that a coach
and a manager are more the same ---
they try to bring out the best in their
people. About Accra City Hotel
And what is the difference between
management and leadership? In
what ways are each important? Accra City Hotel with 196 fully furnished
guest rooms of varying sizes with good
quality interiors and complimentary
mini-bar is located on Barnes Road in
the heart of the Ghanaian Capital, in
close proximity to the City's business
and entertainment districts.
My personal opinion is that we all
manage situations, events, people, but
managers tell other people what to do,
and leaders guide and lead others to
make the right decisions for themselves.
So what makes a good leader?
A good a leader is a visionary that
inspires, engages challenges, develops
and empowers his team to exceed
expectations... drive further and grow.
What is the importance of
empowerment?
Empowering our associates is a corner
stone within Accra City Hotel’s culture.
When associates are empowered,
they are engaged within the business
which directly relates to our financial
performance.
The luxury 4-star Accra City Hotel is
managed by his General Manager,
Roman Krabel and threw its doors open
to the public for the very first time in
September 1988.
The property is 15 minutes away from
the Kotoka International Airport. Accra
City Hotel has facilities which every
guest is looking for. The hotel offers
sophisticated dining experience with
its Fihankra Restaurant — an all-day-
dining restaurant, Lounge Bar and 24-
hour Room Service offers an extensive
menu. An option of hosting any kind of
event either indoor for up to 200 people
or outdoor is also available. Every month,
Accra City Hotel provides a special Food
& Beverage promotion with tempting
d