London, England – Reported by Elite Traveler, the Private Jet Lifestyle Magazine
When Bea Tollman, President and Founder of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, opened her first hotel in London in 1984 she believed outstanding personal service and great value should be the essence of every guest’s stay. Now, with generations of experience in hospitality, and having grown the collection to an impressive thirteen family-run luxury boutique hotels, Red Carnation is regarded as one of the world’s finest. With accolades including kudos from major travel publications to even a “Best Employer in Hospitality and Leisure” award at the 2009 Springboard Awards for Excellence, her secret ingredient for success is continued investment in her most prized asset – her people.
Guest reviews often includes phrases such as “flawless service”, “extraordinary staff” and “top notch luxury”. And Red Carnation delivers over fifty different internal training programs, including the specially designed Management Trainee Programs, to ensure talented individuals receive the guidance and business acumen to fulfill their potential within hospitality and continue to deliver unforgettable guest experiences. Many of these programs are linked to internationally recognized qualifications and include extensive leadership and management initiatives.
Staff remuneration through rewards is also a key ingredient. Individual and department incentives together with social events throughout the year are just some of the ways in which Red Carnation recognizes and rewards good performance whilst reinforcing strong family values. For example, over 700 staff are set to attend a glamorous Dinner Dance, at The Hilton Park Lane in London, 28th March 2010. Some 100 employees will be flown in from the overseas hotels, some from as far as South Africa, to celebrate the collection and the achievements of the team members. The evening will see over 130 staff recognized for their outstanding contributions as managers and employees over the past twelve months, as trainers, and as individuals who were willing to go way beyond their ordinary duties for the benefit of guests and other members of the team as well as honorary awards for length of service. Generous cash prizes, weekends away, trophies and certificates will mark the occasion for the winners. Above all, and most importantly however, it’s an opportunity for friends and colleagues to get together and have some fun.
“When you work closely with people day in and day out you become a family, and that’s how I see our staff. Likewise, we’re creating a ‘home from home’ for our guests, and treat them as we would treasure family friends,” says Bea Tollman. “A true appreciation of people, those that work with us and those that stay with us, is at the heart of everything we do, as evinced by the extremely low staff turn-over. But it all starts with staff training, development, recognition and, ultimately, promotions from within. We’re totally dedicated to helping every individual fulfill his potential, because it’s the only way to deliver the ultimate guest experience. There are no short cuts or half measures.”
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