Rauf Malik:Consistantly Pursuing Perfection With Infinite Enthusiasm

Rauf Malik, General Manager of Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park

　　When the interview began, his words poured out. “When I came to Putuo District for the first time, the development here was quite sluggish because of the poor transportation and the serious shortage of the communal facilities. Although the geographical position plays a pivotal role in profitability, it can not determine everything. Actually, the metro lines are extending constantly and numerous international modern edifices are springing up one after another, which is gradually forming a commercial center around here. Hence, I am convinced that our hotel will have a more prosperous future. Since the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park opened two years ago, it has been developing at an amazing speed. Not only did we realize our profit goal in the first year but our total profit has doubled in the second year. In 2012, with the joint unremitting efforts and the perseverance of the whole team, we will reach a new height.

　　Last year, Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park was the designated hotel to offer takeaway service for Scuderia Ferrari Team, one of the teams competed in the prevailing F1 World Grand Prix. This year, there will be an international group of racing enthusiasts stay in your hotel during the F1. It is not the first collaboration between the international sports events and five-star hotels, and the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park gets involved again. What do you think of the cooperation with F1 this time? Hearing this, Rauf Malik began to analyze the question with his sagacity. “Several years ago, if the FIA Formula 1 World Championship was to be held in a city which has no experience of holding such international sports event, all the racing enthusiasts from different countries would flock there and wait with tremendous expectation, in order to enjoy the different passion brought by the new speedway. Hence, at that time, a majority of overseas visitors accounted for the main guest source, while the local guests occupied a relative small part. However, a few years later, as the media unveiled the new race track, more and more foreign racing enthusiasts lost their zealousness to make a long journey from thousand miles away, instead, they prefer to watch on television and on the Internet, or go to the newly opened speedway in other countries. Therefore, undergoing the tremendous loss of guest source, how to develop the local customers becomes the greatest challenge we are encountered with at present. The other day, when I was on business trip, I learned that some people in second-tier and third-tier cities even don’t know anything about the F1 World Grand Prix. Owning to the insufficient publicity of such international events, F1 is not so prevalent in other cities, except Shanghai, the host city. But from another perspective, there is immense market potential worth our exploring.” He said.

　　In our last interview, Rauf Malik had mentioned that the sustainable development of the hotel relies on the domestic visitors. Hence, to maintain the vitality of the hotel, how do you attract the domestic guests? Confidently and composedly, Rauf Malik gave us an affirmative answer. “Tens of thousands of people from different places gather here everyday, they must have various needs, diverse expectations and comprehensions to the hotel. Although we have had a solid foundation, we still require our employees to treat the guests as their own families and show them the utmost solicitude and love by providing thoughtful services. Likewise, we have always maintained close cooperative relations with the media from all over the world since we engaged in the hospitality industry, and let them enjoy our passion and cordiality. Therefore, their reports can adequately reflect our hotel’s image, which is an indirect advertisement for the hotel. ”

　　Many people once stayed in the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park are impressed with the suavity and the geniality of the general manager. One of our readers once left a message saying that Rauf Malik was the only general manager who greeted him directly in the lobby he had ever met. “Wherever I go, I would love to make acquaintance with everyone I meet. And what makes me gratified is that, when I go on vacation, our guests can still get a sense of being at home, which means that we have established our own hotel culture through the painstaking efforts of the whole team. Furthermore, how to keep our superiority and explore more potential are two problems requiring constant contemplation and perennial elaborative practice. ” He smiled and answered.

　　What is remarkable is that the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park won nine awards in the last year, which make people can not refrain from wondering that how efficient and excellent the hotel is. “I am not a dogmatic man who always keeps to the beaten track and cling to the rigid regulations. I desire to break the shackles of old conventions and stereotypes, especially when faced with such a large market in China and countless competitive rivals. My employees have been told a thousand times that we should walk out and seek business opportunities actively as an astute hunter chasing his prey instead of waiting passively. Hence, we relentlessly pursue more superior services and find more trustworthy partners while striving for more business opportunities, which is the first priority for our hotel. Situated in such a highly developed metropolis, we should promote our hotel to the Asian and even the international markets rather than confining its development to the domestic market. Of course, this kind of exploration needs the joint effort of the local corporations, because they have better insights into the local situation. Just like making a cake, the key lies in the rational allocation of the resources if you want to make it perfect. ”

　　Being strongly favored by many discerning guests, the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park has high prestige over the society. It is well-known that the local Spring Festival Gala——ICS “Hello, 2012, the Year of Dragon” drew to an end on January 6th. It is not only a joyous evening party but a philanthropic banquet suffused with love and benevolence. In the party, the Swiss executive chef Albert Thony, who was conferred an honorary title of The Best Combination Cuisine Chef by You Are the Chef, demonstrated his solid culinary skills by serving every guests with the most authentic and scrumptious delicacies, which guaranteed people with an unprecedented double enjoyment of taste and sight. As the host venue for the award ceremony of You Are the Chef 2012, what kind of surprises would you like to bring to the guests there? Rauf Malik indicated that the details of the ceremony would not be disclosed until that day, but everyone present will definitely has a fantastic night. “We have prominent chefs from all over the world, which will ensure that every guest here can savor the most authentic exotic flavors.” The restaurant, Pearl, located on the 2nd floor, is administrated by Mr. Chen Shaohua, who assumes the office of the Chinese executive chef and won the prize of Future Star in 2011, will provide all sort of palatable cuisines with the most original flavor from Pearl River Delta. The Japanese restaurant —— “Sakitori Grill + Sushi”, also situated on the 2nd floor, was awarded the title of "The Best Japanese Restaurant 2011" by Modern Weekly magazine. Highlighting with the charcoal barbecue and Japanese Sake, the restaurant featured a ten-meter teppanyaki platform which provides the modern Japanese cuisines integrating traditions with innovation. Besides, a variety of tender meats, fresh seafood and vegetables also facilitate the resplendence of the exotic flavor. Furthermore, exquisite bread and pastries, scrumptious handmade chocolates, excellent daily specials as well as expresso and delectable sandwiches, etc. are all available in Java+. On the top floor of the hotel, the Panorama Rooftop Bar monopolizes the unparalleled scenery of Changfeng Park and Suzhou River. Savoring the nectarous cocktails and enjoying the ebullient live show here, you will find yourself indulged in the unbelievable leisureliness. What’s more, no matter for private party or extravagant banquet, the DÔME Wine Bar is the optimal choice. Albert Thony and his professional team will bring us the superfine Wagyu steaks, Angus steaks and various fresh oysters, in addition to hundreds of red wine varieties that are easily accessible to every guest, which will give those fastidious gourmets a bounteous feast.

　　Every dialogue with Rauf Malik is a fabulous experience. What the mettlesome and ambitious general manager impresses us the most is his enthusiastic attitude towards the hotel management, the sublime spirits and the unremitting pursuit of the perfection. Under his leadership, Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park will definitely become a conspicuous milestone in the hospitality industry in South China and will continue its splendor for ever and ever.