Featured Hotelier - Hanne Vetaas - Executive Asst. Housekeeper with the Crowne Plaza Kuwait

The Talent Jungle presents our featured hotelier, our "chosen one". This feature highlights the talented and devoted professionals in the hotel & hospitality industry and brings out their epxeriences, strengths, background and more...in an effort to build a base of knowledge and connect people together.

Name: Hanne Vetaas

Current company and title: Crowne Plaza Kuwait, Executive Asst. Housekeeper

What is your educational background? Chef Diploma, Swiss Higher Diploma and BBA

Tell us a little bit about your work history:
I used to be a chef for 2 years and found out that was not what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. So I joined SSH in 1999 and graduated in 2002. Great years….After I joined HTW and graduated in 2003 with BBA….we had a lot of fun. So now I was ready for my work life, with a good educational background I went to Kuwait. I got a job at Kempinski Julai’a Hotel & Resort, but it was a very disappointing work experience. So I joined Crowne Plaza Kuwait in March 2004 and I am still here. I joined as Front Office Agent and after a few months I got promoted to Chief Concierge. And I had that position until recently when I
moved to Housekeeping as Executive Assistant Housekeeper.

What was it like studying in Switzerland?
It was a nice opportunity to meet with different people from a multi-cultural background which will help you later when you start to work. As well as Switzerland is a beautiful place to live.

How did the courses your did there benefit you?
When I was doing the courses it was interesting to learn, however I was not able to put in in to practice and did not fully understand all. Now when I am working I wish I had kept my notes and my school book for referral. Never think you will not need this in the future...who knows what's going to happen next.

How hard was it finding your first job after school and how did you find it?
It was a bit difficult, I graduated in 2003, Terrorism was there and a decline in travel. But I got a job as Front Office Agent at Kempinski Kuwait after months of applying.

What did you like about your job as a Chief Concierge?
The nice part was my team consisting of 10, we learned a lot of each other and I was able to practise running a small department. I implemented a lot of new things which added to their skills as well as the service of the hotel. It prepared me for what I am doing doing, being an Asst. H.O.D. with 50 people to
manage.

What does your current role involve?
The daily operation of the department, ensuring the cleanliness standard of rooms and public areas, and to assign projects, follow up on the same.

What are the biggest challenges faced by housekeepers, according to you?
Internally it would be to have the staff to work together as a TEAM and for them to see the benefits of new implementations. Externally it is to have reliable suppliers, especially in Kuwait.

What sort of personal development are you engaged?

I am part of Pathway Development Centre from IHG group, as well as I read management books to enhance my skills. And I will enrol at Cornell e-studies.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Maybe as an Executive Manager, I am hoping to be a GM within 7-8 years

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