The Joseph , a Luxury Collection Hotel , in Nashville , Tenn ., is owned by the Pizzuti family and known for the art it has on display . |
Arash Azarbarzin , the CEO of Highgate , knows struggle . He was an immigrant of necessity , having sought political asylum in the U . S . amid the turmoil and bloodshed of the Iranian revolution , which lasted for more than a year and culminated in 1979 with the institution of the Islamic Republic of Iran . It ’ s not surprising , then , that though revenue and profit matter for the real estate investment and hospitality management company , which has a portfolio numbering more than 550 hotels , people come first . “ Talent is the foundation of our company ,” Azarbarzin told HOTELS , his own story
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one built on hard work and dedication , “ the American dream ,” as he put it .
His and Highgate ’ s focus on its employees is the idea behind the company ’ s “ People First ” employee initiative , which has succeeded in reducing its attrition rate to 23.2 %, a percentage that is substantially low for a traditionally peripatetic industry . “ People are happy being here because we have created an environment of collaboration ,” Azarbarzin said .
In order to achieve less turnover and opportunity , Highgate has implemented what it calls its LMS , or learning management system , aimed at line staff all the way up to VPs and beyond that
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allows them to track their professional growth and helps them succeed toward achieving the next rung up . Highgate also has a partnership with Cornell , wherein employees can take classes and gain certification . “ It ’ s about having an understanding that there ’ s a future for them and my job as CEO is to make sure they get there ,” Azarbarzin said .
It ’ s something Azarbarzin has done in spades in his own life . Like many a story in the hospitality industry , he started his career at the bottom , washing dishes , a kitchen factotum . He was simultaneously studying computer science and side hustling as a prep cook and a
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May 2023 hotelsmag . com 27 |