Empathic Mentors – successfull women
For the occasion of the international womens`s day 2024 the swiss Newspaper “Hotellerie und Gastronomie ” dedicated two pages to some of the most incredible and engaged women of the Hotel & Gastro Union Switzerland.
Without surprise they choose two members of the AICR Switzerland – which have been active and well known in our association since years:
Joana Heim Front of House Manager at the Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern
Martina Knitter Trainer, Personal & Business Coach, Martinacoach
As this was a great honour – not only for them but also an acknowlodgment for the importance of mentoring work – we decided to publish a more detailled extract from the interview here:
What is your original profession?
Joana Heim (JH): I have passed my exams for the Hotel Administraion (KV HGT) in 2013 and have stayed in the same Hotel for 5 years. Than I had the great oppertunity to change to my current hotel and worked my way up to my current position.
Martina Knitter (MKN): I started as well with a classic apprenticeship for Hotel Administration in Germany, but then continued my education while working. First as a Tourism Manager and then as a Revenue Manager as part of a further training program at InterContinentalGroup & Cornell University.
Where are you currently working and in what position?
JH: I work at Bellevue Palace as Front of House Manager
MKN: Unfortunately, it is still difficult to combine a family with children and a career in the hospitality industry. That’s why I have developed myself againfurther with a training to become a Personal and Business Coach. In this role I now work independently and have found my focus on supporting hotel employees. In this way, I remain connected to the industry and can contribute to the development and satisfaction of young talents. So they continue working with enthuiasm and follow their path.
What does your involvement in the professional association look like?
JH: I have been a member of the professional association (Berufsverband Hotel Administration & Mangagement bvham) since 2011.
As from 2021 in the board of the Bern Region and in the BVHAM I am activly involved since 2022. Especially my days at the IGEHO last year have been most inspiring – meeting so many young talents that are interested in our profession.
MKN: It gives me great pleasure to be involved in a variety of ways, especially in the area of further development and communication. Together with Jordan Kestle and the SHS Academy, we were able to successfully implement the e-commerce manager in Ticino last year. With the Comitee in Ticino we are for example currently planning training days about complaint and conflict management.
But also the organization and implementation of networking events are important to me in order to strengthen our professional association here in Ticino and to offer our members further added value.
What motivates you to do this volunteer work?
JH: Giving back to the industry; we can’t complain about the shortage of skilled workers, weak young talent, etc. and than don´t do anything about it. Furthermore, it is an incredible network that offers new opportunities.
MKN: I would like to pass on my enthusiasm for the hotel industry to other generations and at the same time support them in finding their own way. Maybe taking some shortcuts or avoiding mistakes. In my opinion, hospitality is still a dream job with fantastic opportunities to see the world and a fast progressing careers. But the framework and conditions have to adapt, with coaching and mentoring the employees, every employer can achieve a lot.
What achievement or project are you particularly proud of and why?
MKN: The success of the participants “Swiss Skills Reception” in the subsequent AICR – Best Receptionist of the year 2022 competition was certainly a real measurable success. After only a short preparation time two participants were able to take podium places, with another one I still maintain close contact in mentoring today.
For this commitment, he even nominated me for the Next-gen Award in 2023 – I was very honoured about that.
Mentoring and the individual support of employees in their development, has great potential: It contributes to employee development, employee satisfaction, and thus to employee retention. It can be applied to all hierarchical levels and actively counteracts fluctuation.
JH: Having a good network is really important – as well as enjoyable. Through my work as Exam Expert for the final exams of the Trainees Hotel Administration I was able to bulit and develop my network even further . Supporting the next generation is a matter of my heart and I really enjoy working with young people and can pass on my knowledge and experience.
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