Cherry Cabasag, outlets manager, Copthorne Hotel Dubai is in the spotlight this month.
Describe your first ever role in the hotel industry? I started as waitress in a lobby lounge coffee shop. It was an exciting role that made me interact more with mix of people with different culture background. This broadens me to express my passion for entertaining, delighting and delivering excellent service.
Who is the person who has inspired you most in your career? Herley Herrera – she was my mentor, motivator, and inspired me to be a good manager and trainer. She taught me how to be a good role model and lead by example to everybody.
How do you view the hotel scene in the region? It is very competitive and extremely challenging due to current vast number of hotels in the region and more upcoming new competitors. Adaptability and innovation in offers are imperative to keep up with the fast changing environment.
What is the biggest challenge of your role? The biggest challenge I face is the attitude of employees. We all come from different cultural backgrounds, hence it is a mix of characters and personality. Achieving a certain target or goal is feasible if you have the right people with right attitude. It is extremely vital to bring out the best in your employees such as appropriately dealing with the underperforming and outstanding staff for their continuous improvement.
What is your favourite aspect of your role? I love and enjoy teaching. It is fulfilling to be a trainer knowing that I have shared what I’ve learned from my experience to my staff/colleagues and for them to improve for a brighter future. I am very passionate as a trainer.
If you could work in any hotel in the world which would it be? Shangri-La Paris.
What tip would you share with new staff starting out in the hotel industry in the region? Be persistent, work hard, dream big, be humble, be a good listener and most of all always smile.
If you could invite any three people around for dinner who would they be? My husband and my two lovely sisters.
If you had to live on a desert island for a year what would you bring with you? Food and water along with my husband as my companion.
Experience:
February 2018 – Present: Outlets manager, Copthorne Hotel Dubai
January 2014 – December 2017: Restaurant manager, Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai
September 2003 – October 2013: Assistant outlet manager, Shangri-La Hotel Dubai
