An end of year message from HR

Hello all,

2012 is almost over and it looks like the Mayans may have been wrong, but just in case we all get wiped out on Friday, 21 December, I thought I would get in early and take the opportunity to wish all of you a Merry Xmas and a wonderful and prosperous 2013 (if there is going to be one)  :)

Very quickly, I would like to report that the Managers’ Conference went extremely well, and the whole thing ended with a great Xmas party at Slide Nightclub, where we had presentations for service awards and merit awards, too. It seems that our wonderful team from Perth did really well on the night. Congratulations to the Perth team and to all those who received awards!

We also had some excellent Xmas raffles, and great entertainment; but the best thing of all was the convivial atmosphere of spending time with our colleagues from all the different properties.

On a personal note, it was great for me to meet the people I deal with on the phone most of the time. It’s funny how we picture a face to go with a voice when we're on the phone to someone and have never met them face to face. Then, when we meet them, they are completely different. So it was finally great to put faces to the voices of all the colleagues I deal with.

I leave you with this collage of photos (courtesy of Liz Gatsios) taken at our Xmas party.

MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We are the champions!

Kathy Middlemass -- hard at work!

Amanda Rottmann -- happy to be of service!

That's right, they are the champions -- and winners are grinners!

We are talking about two of our "quiet achievers" at Metro Hotel Perth: Kathy Middlemass, nominated and finalist at the recent AHA Awards under Administration Employee category; and Amanda Rottmann, finalist and winner under Front Office Services Employee category.

Congratulations, girls. You do us proud!

Chefs help tackle obesity with Good Fork Week

News from Ipswich! I know this has now passed--blame me for posting it rather late--nevertheless, a big congratulations to our colleagues at Ipswich for being a part of this program! Read on ...

Metro Hotel Ipswich International has joined other Chefs and food service operators across the country in the fight against obesity by taking part in the inaugural Good Fork Week, where participating chefs have been asked to tweak menu items and deliver more nutritious options for diners.

The campaign commenced in October as National Health Awareness Month, and ran from 2 to 28 October.

Good Fork Week's launch follows the results of Unilever Food Solutions' World Menu Report 3, which looks at eating-out-of-home trends, and found that 64% of Australians eat out at least once a week, and only half look for or choose a healthier option, despite 66% saying they prefer healthier options.

David Manz, Head Chef at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International, made some changes to the lunch time menu to include some healthy choices . One of David’s 'hero dishes' menus can be found on the Unilever Food Solutions website.

If you're interested in taking part or would like to learn more about the campaign, head to www.goodforkweek.com.au

A new young friend to MHG

INTRODUCING ANGELA THIELEN - Intern at Aspire Hotel Sydney.

In her own words:

My name is Angela and I´m from Germany, but at the moment I live at Bondi Junction in Sydney, which is a great place to live. I am 25 years old, and I´m studying Hotel and Tourism Management.

My College provided me with theoretical as well as practical experience and qualifications in the fields of hotel and tourism.

According to the college´s needs, I have to complete two periods of full-time practical work experience, each lasting 6 months. So I decided to do my first internship in Australia at the Aspire Hotel Sydney.

I chose Australia because it´s just an awesome country with many interesting and different cultures, and so many different places to see. After almost 3 months in Sydney, I almost feel like home.

Working at the Hotel provides me with a lot of experience in different departments, such as working in the Front Office, Reservations, Accounting, Housekeeping and Sales & Marketing, which I´m really looking forward to in the next weeks.

It is also a very good opportunity to improve my English and communication skills as well. I feel that I´m becoming more confident in talking with other people. I really like the teamwork, and the chance to work with so many different cultures in one place.

During my stay in Sydney I try to see as much as I can of the city and its surrounds. I have already been to the Blue Mountains, Port Stephens, Manly and many other places. There is really so much you can see here. My favourite place to relax and hang out with friends is Bondi Beach, which is just a stroll away from where I live.

After my internship, I will travel around to see a lot of the other great places that Australia offers.

I would like to visit the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns and of course, I won´t leave without having seen the Outback.

This whole experience is the best that I have ever had, and I´m looking forward to enjoying the upcoming few months.

We made Time Magazine

"We change the world!" state Sylvia Massara, Group HR Manager, and George Bedwani, COO of Metro Hospitality Group (MHG).

Time Magazine dropped by to ask these two dynamic movers and shakers how they change the world.

"One act of kindness, dedication and good service at a time," replies Massara. "If we can help one individual, whether it be an employee or a guest, to feel comfortable with us, then we are changing the world."

Bedwani agrees, "That's correct. The world of hospitality is all about customer service, and it applies to both our internal and external customers."

Time Magazine wants to know the secret to good service. Massara replies, "It's about commitment to oneself and to others. It's having a genuine desire to help people."

"This industry is not for everyone," adds Bedwani. "But for those who want to go home knowing that they have given their best and made someone else feel happy, then this is the industry for you."

Time Magazine spent time with the dynamic duo talking about the stress, the long hours and dealing with difficult people and situations. Both agreed on this point, "You either love it or you hate it, and if you love it, you'll be hooked for life," Bedwani says.

Massara adds, "They say, there's no business like showbusiness, but in hospitality you get it all, and more! I love the people in this industry and that's what keeps me coming back."

Without giving away their age, Time Magazine calculated that this pair have at least 60 years in the industry between them. And if that's not dynamic, we don't know what is!

A welcome note from the editor

Sylvia Massara
Group HR Manager
and Editor of MHG News

Hello, and welcome to the Metro Hospitality Group News blog or MHGNews!

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to run this blog on behalf of our group for the purpose of communication with all our staff members. If you look at the header on this blog, you will see that MHGNews has been dedidated to all our staff.

Seeing as we are spread out throughout Australia, and we don't always know what is happening at our sister properties, I introduced this blog so that we can get to know one another. And don't worry if you don't have a computer at work; I will be asking all Managers to share new blogposts with you during staff meetings, etc. Alternatively, you might want to check out our blog from your home computer.

I will be posting on a regular basis about anything and everything to do with our staff. This might be introducing a new team member or interviewing an existing one or giving you information about something that is happening at one of our properties. I also encourage guest posts from staff.

Remember, this is our blog, people, so I hope to see many guest posts, pictures, and tales of what is happening at your property.

Be sure to contact me if you want to contribute, and don't forget to subscribe to the blog so you will be notified whenever a new blogpost goes "live".

Finally, the URL for this blog is currently: www.mhgnews.blogspot.com. I am in the process of securing a customised URL, but Blogger is experiencing problems at present. As soon as I purchase the new URL, I will let you know; however, you will always be able to reach this blog through the URL I have just given you.

I look forward to hearing from you soon and to getting to know more about you and your property on MHGNews!

Regards,
Sylvia