Robert J.Gerber:A General Manager Like a Star

Oakwood Residence Hangzhou is the first international hotel brand in serviced apartments.It is your best choice that no matter the whole family,single,or the business man on their holidays for the elegant,comfortable environment,complete facilities,and the perfect sevice.Now,let"s start a journey in Oakwood,and know the manager Mr.Robert J Gerber.

Without a famous face,but all the staffs call him as "the star manager".Oakwood now becomes the executives"s first choice in the 85% fortune 500 companies.many of them living here for over a month or year.Though Mr.Gerber has a simple philosophy in hotel industry,his hotel life is full of wonder...

Robert J.Gerber

MEADIN.COM: When did you start your professional career in hospitality industry in China?

Robert J.Gerber: Actually I began my hospitality career at the age of 14 as a Candy Makers Apprentice in Atlantic City, New Jersey learning how to make vARIous types of Candies, Chocolates, Fudge, etc. Thereafter through High School ; University I continued to work part time to earn my way to pay for my education I held vARIous positions and worked in Private Fine Dining Restaurants in the kitchen as well as a waiter, Captain and Maitre"di i in vARIous restaurant both in New Jersey, and in New York City, etc. as well as in Hotels as a Bellman, Houseboy or Room Attendant in Housekeeping, Front Desk Clerk, all in the United States, Tough my Major at New York University as an under graduate for my BA Degree I was a Political Science Major. Though I had a passion for Hospitality I continued my education and went to Cornell University for my MBA in Hotel Management and after graduation in 1972 I work for Dunfey/Omni Hotels as F&B Director in Boston, Dallas, and Denver and then joined Amfac Hotels in Hawaii from 1979 to 1985 holding various operation positions. Then I joined New World Hotels. International, Hong Kong in 1985 to open the Victoria Hotel in Hong Kong as Resident Manager and was promoted to General Manager in 1986 and in 1989 I took the additional responsibilities as Area Director of Operations for New World Hotels International and remained with the company for 10 years through 1995.why you choose hospitality on as you whole life career?The hospitality or Hotel Industry is something you either love or hate and must have true devotion and passion for excellence in both ensuring Quality of Product &Service 24/7.For me I don’t believe I could be happier or more for filled doing anything else.

MEADIN.COM: You"ve been stayed in different globe hotel groups; do you feel big differences doing management in China?

Robert J.Gerber: Management style & culture in china does not differ from any other Asian country .If you want to understand China or Asian Management overall Style & Culture read the book the ‘Seven Dragons” this will give you a clear understanding ,I always remember a Chinese phrase in Management Philosophy” The Fish Stinks From The Head”!

MEADIN.COM: What is your management philosophy, and how do you combine it effectively with Chinese culture, particularly local culture as a foreign General Manager?

Robert J.Gerber: My management philosophy is quite simple ”Lead By Example &Give Empowerment” as we are people serving people and in the Hotel we have both our External Guest that we here to serve and our internal guest meaning our associates who are responsible for the service though we the Hotel &Company are responsible for their overall well being.

MEADIN.COM: If you don"t mind, could you tell me a little bit more about your current management team members?

Robert J.Gerber: Our Department Heads are middle age with past experience mostly in Hangzhou and throughout China and by previously career by experience working in international 4&5 Star Hotels.What type of hospitality background they have in terms of their education and experience and how are they trained?Most of our Department Heads were graduated from University and major in Hospitality Management. They have a theoretical basis, but also have hands-on experience.

MEADIN.COM: What value would you place on an International Education background in hospitality area that placed a strong emphasis on English skills along with a job with a 5 star hotel?

Robert J.Gerber: For me I can only recommend 100% plus emphasis on Higher International Education as this is necessary for the youth of China wants to continues to be the leader in all aspects as a Super power. As we can clearly see China will be in the next ten years the overall Global Business and Tourism Destination in the World. Therefore the China Hospitality and Tourism sectors need to Quantified & Qualified Overseas China Educated youth to return to take up the responsibility to move China forward in the future.

MEADIN.COM: Nowadays there has a huge labour shortage within the hospitality industry in China even though the unemployment rate with new graduates is also huge.Besides,the brain drain is also a big problem(too many job-hop).How do you take care of these tow problems?Some people say it is because China"s hospitality industry training&education system has produced mismatch between what staff graduate with and what hospitality industry actually needs right now in china.Would you agree with this?

Robert J.Gerber: I can definitely agree though there are many reasons for the turmoil throughout our industry and as the China middleclass continues to grow more rapidly and the younger generation e.g. Their parent do not want their children to be servants especially in Food&Beverage.We the Hospitality Leaders need to Re-Engineer on how we will Provide Quality Product&Service in the future to Meet the Demand of the Future Generation of Consumers.

MEADIN.COM: As a young rising star in global hospitality industry;we are learning from international Hotels and exploring a better way for us. What"s your opinion of Chinese Hospitality Industry in the future?

Robert J.Gerber: Chinese Hospitality will need to ensure to invest in Education and Training with a clear understanding from both employer and employee in the way of a contract to maintain and stabilize employees.

MEADIN.COM: Do you miss your homeland?What are you most interested in these years in China?

Robert J.Gerber: I do not miss my home land even as an American living in the Aisa Pacific Rim for nearly 30 years home is with my wife and son wherever we are living together and ai the three of us are Hong Kong Permanent Residence as my wife and I were married in Hong Kong and our son was born in Hong Kong we can say Hong Kong &China is truly our home away from home at present and future.

MEADIN.COM: What hobbies do you have?

Robert J.Gerber: My hobbies consist of reading,cooking,spending quality time with my wife and watching TV as relaxation.