Shaping Hospitality Through RICCH Values

Shaping Hospitality Through RICCH Values

Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on November 4, 2024

Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa, located just outside Bangalore, is a luxury resort known for its world-class hospitality and business facilities. Offering expansive convention halls, wellness amenities, and impeccable hospitality, it provides a seamless blend of relaxation and productivity, catering to both tourists and corporate clients.

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Rakesh Kumar is an experienced hospitality professional with over 17 years of expertise in the industry, currently serving as Associate Director of Rooms at Clarks Exotica Bengaluru. In this role, which he has held since April 2018, Rakesh oversees room operations, ensuring seamless guest experiences and driving service excellence across departments.

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Prior to this, Rakesh served as Front Office Manager at Clarks Exotica for four and a half years. With a deep understanding of front desk management, he has contributed to smooth operations across multiple hotel brands, including roles at Fairfield by Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott.

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His career began with frontline roles at esteemed hotels such as Westin Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Garden Inn, and The Grand Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, where he honed his skills in guest services and hospitality operations. With experience spanning multiple regions, including Bangalore, New Delhi, and Ahmedabad, Rakesh has consistently proven his ability to lead teams, improve operations, and deliver memorable guest experiences.

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"We have a core value and we call it RICCH—Respect-Integrity- Compassion-Creativity-Health. We don’t believe in framing our core value on notice board rather all the team members display the same on daily basis not only at work place rather in personal life as well," says Rakesh Kumar about Clarks Exotica's Culture.

"We believe in nurturing talent from within. Our comprehensive career development programs provide employees with clear pathways for advancement. We understand that a happy, motivated workforce directly translates into better guest experiences," he comments about the employee development and retention in Clarks Exotica. 

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He shares more insights on guest experience, sustainable practices, leadership challenges and much more in this exclusive interview.

Catch the complete interview at the November Issue of the HospitalityNews Magazine, available now online. You can now purchase the hardcopy of the magazine either as a single issue or subscribe for 12 months. For more details, visit Magazine.


The Kitchen of Tomorrow: Sanandan Sudhir’s Take on Culinary Innovation

The Kitchen of Tomorrow: Sanandan Sudhir’s Take on Culinary Innovation

Nishang Narayan

Published on November 4, 2024

As the culinary world embraces innovation, Sanandan Sudhir emerges as a pioneering force with his groundbreaking invention, On2Cook. Hailing from Jalandhar, Punjab, Sanandan’s journey reflects a unique blend of passion and expertise. Armed with an engineering degree from the National Institute of Technology in Jamshedpur and a postgraduate degree in Industrial and Product Design from the National Institute of Design, he has cultivated a remarkable career over two decades.

Sanandan's experience at GE Healthcare in Bangalore, where he made significant contributions to industrial design and innovation, laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial venture, InventIndia Innovations. Today, he is transforming the cooking landscape by leveraging technology to create seamless and enjoyable cooking experiences.

In our conversation, Sanandan shares the fascinating journey behind On2Cook, touted as the world's fastest cooking device. He discusses the challenges he faced during its development, the revolutionary impact it has on traditional cooking methods, and how it enhances efficiency in both professional and home kitchens. With On2Cook reducing cooking time by 70% and saving 40% energy, Sanandan explains how it caters to modern lifestyles while preserving essential nutrients in food.

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Sanandan delves into the integration of AI in On2Cook, discussing its ability to automate recipe guidance and streamline kitchen operations. He emphasizes the importance of innovation in the HORECA sector, where On2Cook's unique features can significantly reduce labor costs and improve service times.

Furthermore, he highlights the significance of securing global patent protection for On2Cook, which has enabled the brand to confidently enter international markets. Sanandan shares his vision for the future of cooking technology, hinting at exciting developments in automation and portable cooking solutions.

Join us as Sanandan Sudhir provides valuable insights into the future of culinary innovation and how On2Cook is poised to revolutionize cooking as we know it. You can check out the complete interview in the November issue of Hospitality News, available on our website.


Navigating Luxury: An Interview with Gaurav Sinha of JW Marriott Bengaluru

Navigating Luxury: An Interview with Gaurav Sinha of JW Marriott Bengaluru

Nishang Narayan

Published on November 4, 2024

In the heart of Bengaluru's vibrant hospitality scene, Gaurav Sinha stands out as a seasoned professional dedicated to enhancing the guest experience at JW Marriott Bengaluru. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Gaurav has honed his skills across renowned establishments like Taj and The Leela, where he developed a profound understanding of luxury service standards.

In an exclusive interview, Gaurav shares his journey through the evolving landscape of luxury hospitality. He highlights the importance of adaptability and innovation in a competitive market, particularly in a city that is constantly evolving. Gaurav emphasizes JW Marriott's commitment to sustainability, detailing initiatives that blend luxury with environmental responsibility, which is increasingly important to today’s travelers.

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Gaurav also discusses the significance of personalized service, explaining how technology is enhancing guest interactions without compromising the warmth and intimacy that define luxury hospitality. His insights reflect a broader trend within the industry, where the focus is shifting towards creating unique, memorable experiences that resonate with guests on a personal level.

As he reflects on the hotel's journey over the past decade, Gaurav recounts notable moments that exemplify JW Marriott's commitment to excellence and community engagement. He shares stories of how the hotel has adapted to meet changing guest expectations, fostering a culture that prioritizes both luxury and genuine connection.

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Join us as Gaurav Sinha delves into his vision for the future of hospitality and what it takes to maintain the high standards synonymous with the JW Marriott brand. This interview promises to be an enlightening exploration of the art of luxury service, perfect for anyone passionate about the hospitality industry. You can check out the complete interview in the November issue of Hospitality News, available on our website.


Elevating Hospitality Standards: Insights from Vikas Sood of The Leela Gandhinagar

Elevating Hospitality Standards: Insights from Vikas Sood of The Leela Gandhinagar

Nishang Narayan

Published on November 4, 2024

In an exclusive interview, Vikas Sood, the General Manager of The Leela Gandhinagar and the Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre, shared valuable insights into the hospitality landscape. With nearly two decades of experience with renowned brands like Taj, Hyatt, Accor, and Marriott, Sood's expertise has been instrumental in establishing The Leela Gandhinagar as a premier destination for luxury and MICE events.

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When we inquired about his approach to ensuring high hotel customer service and guest satisfaction, he emphasized, “Our vision at The Leela Gandhinagar and Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre has always been to offer an unmatched blend of luxury, world-class hospitality, and state-of-the-art facilities. By combining the elegance and opulence of The Leela with the scale and versatility of Mahatma Mandir, we’ve created a unique destination that caters to both discerning luxury travelers and large-scale MICE events. A key part of our success has been our unwavering commitment to service excellence, ensuring that every guest experience is distinguished by warmth, personalization, and attention to detail."

We also asked Sood how he stays updated on industry trends and implements innovative practices in the hotel. He remarked, “The hospitality industry has changed a lot in the past few years. Technology is playing the key role of an enabler and it will continue to have an increasingly important role in the industry in the coming years. At The Leela Gandhinagar, we closely monitor industry shifts and customer preferences, allowing us to anticipate changes and adapt accordingly. We have implemented cutting-edge technology, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our guests. Our focus on sustainability, unique cultural experiences, and strategic collaborations has helped us maintain our position as a leader.”

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The conversation with Sood highlighted his commitment to excellence and innovation within the hospitality sector. For those interested in delving deeper into his insights, you can check out the complete interview in the November issue of Hospitality News, available on our website.