Six Job Offers Within Two Weeks

CONFESSIONS OF A GLOBAL GYPSY

Dr. Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena DPhil
President – Chandi J. Associates Inc. Consulting, Canada
Founder & Administrator – Global Hospitality Forum
chandij@sympatico.ca

Job Hunting in Sri Lanka

At the beginning of 1985 spring season, I moved from the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka to launch the second stage of my career in hospitality management. I was 31-years old and had gained versatile experiences over 14 years. Also, a variety of qualifications, including a master’s degree in International Hotel Management from the University of Surrey. I was ambitious and optimistic.

However, I was somewhat disappointed that I could not find a suitable management position with an international hotel chain in another country. Having worked and researched in over 16 five-star British hotels focusing on food and beverage management and operations for my master’s dissertation, I decided that my ideal next job should be as the Food & Beverage Manager of a large, five-star international hotel. I also dreamt of becoming the General Manager of such a hotel by the age 34.

Having considered the advice by a senior hotelier who interviewed me in London, I decided to go back to Sri Lanka and attempt to join a five-star international hotel in my own contry prior to launching my international hotel management career. My previous job positions in Sri Lanka were as a part-time trainee in 10 organizations during my college years, then as an Executive Chef of two well-known resorts, as the Manager of a couple of small hotels, as the Manager-Operations of John Keells/Walker Tours hotels, as well as a Senior Lecturer of the Ceylon Hotel School.

In addition, I had gained short work and training experiences in England, Scotland, Italy, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore. In terms of international hotel chains, I was briefly exposed to hotels managed by Trust House Forte, Hyatt, InterContinential, Holiday Inn, Taj, Hilton, Savoy Group, etc. I assumed that my efforts to build an interesting resume would impress my prospective employers.

On my first morning in Sri Lanka after two years, I embarked on an early morning two-hour walk in Colombo. That was nostalgic as well as energizing. While walking, I was thinking of my next steps in finding a suitable management position. I decided to write to all five internationally branded five-star hotels in Colombo (Le Meridien, Ramada Renaissance, InterContinental, Oberoi and Taj) that afternoon and then follow up with telephone calls.

As I returned home in time for breakfast with the family, my father-in-law, Captain Wicks told me, “Good news, Chandi. Some people have already heard that you are back in Sri Lanka. Three of the best known Sri Lankan hoteliers called and wanted to meet you as soon as possible to discuss job opportunities.” Two of them – Malin Hapugoda (Hapu) and Bobby Adams were my former bosses and the third, Prasanna Jayawardene (PJ) was equally respected in Sri Lanka as an innovative hotelier. I was naturally impressed and proud to feel that I was already in demand. Before calling three of them, I sent my resume to the five five-star hotels in Colombo.

Vice Principal – Ceylon Hotel School

I was then saddened to hear that my last boss in Sri Lanka, before leaving for England, Pearl Heenatigala, was seriously ill and in hospital. She was the Director/Principal of the Ceylon Hotel School (CHS) and always treated me like the son she never had. She was my favourite boss. I rushed to the hospital and quickly realized that Mrs. Heenatigala was terminally ill.

Seated by her bedside, I was surprised that the focus of her conersation was not about her condition, but about my future career. While I was struggling to hold my tears, she said with some difficulty, “Dear Chandi, as you know, I identified you as a potential Vice Principal for CHS after your Master’s. That position is yours if you are still interested. However, consider all other offers first. I personally think that you would do well in a dynamic international hotel chain.” That was our last meeting.

Food & Beverage Analyst – Galadari Meridien

Stefan Pfeiffer, the German national who was the first General Manager of the Galadari Meridien Hotel contacted me, before my departure from Sri Lanka in 1983. I knew him when he was the General Manager of Hotel Lanka Oberoi in the late 1970s. He returned to Sri Lanka during the pre-opening year of the Galadari, the only hotel in Sri Lanka to open with 500 five-star rooms. Although I never worked with him, he was keen that after my studies in England I join the Galadari.

As we agreed to keep in touch, I called him. He immediately offered me a middle management position as the Food & Beverage Analyst at the Galadari which I did not accept. I told him that my aim was to become the Food & Beverage Manager of a five-star internationally branded hotel. This was a position held only by Europeans in such hotels in Sri Lanka, up to that point.

Mr. Pfeiffer said, “Chandi, my Executive Assistant Manager (deputy to the General Manager), Mr. Garoute also works as the Food & Beverage Manager. When he finishes his three-year contract next year, he may return to France. After that, let’s talk again and look at possibilities. As the Meridien hotel chain is owned by Air France, they prefer a Frenchman for this top post.” We decided to keep the options open. In later years I joined Le Meridien twice, in Sri Lanka as the Food & Beverage Manager/Director and in Jamaica as the General Manager. If there is a will, the way can be found.

Training Manager / Operations Analyst – Hotel Lanka Oberoi

The new Indian General Manager of Lanka Oberoi was impressed with my resume. “Our Training Manager, is about to go on 12 months special leave to work at Dubai International Hotel. You will be ideal for that post” he said. When I asked him what would happen if their training manager returns in 12 months, he said that, “at that point we may consider you for a new senior management position we are planning to create – Operations Analyst.” I did not like the uncertainty of that offer, and did not accept it in 1985. Four years later, Oberoi hired me as an expatriate Food and Beverage Manager in Iraq.

Hotel Opening Manager – Coral Gardens Hotel

When I returned the call of Malin Hapugoda (Hapu), then the General Manager/Director for Ceylon Holiday Resorts Limited, and a former boss of mine, he reminded me of an offer he made to me the day before I left Sri Lanka two years ago. “The new Coral Gardens Hotel will be opened in a few months with 156 rooms. I would like you to open this four-star hotel as the Manager. The job is yours.”

I was most grateful to Hapu for such an offer, and told him that I will get back to him with a final decision in a week. Eventually, while considering another offer with a better designation and salary and benefit package, I reluctantly decided not to accept this offer. Hapu kept in touch with me, and 21 years later offered me the post of Chief Executive Officer of Aitken Spence Hotels in Oman. He was the Managing Director of that company then. I eventually did a short consulting assignment for that great company.

Deputy General Manager – Mount Lavinia Hotel

When I called Prasanna Jayawardena (PJ) then General Manager of Mount Lavinia Hotel (MLH), he was very convincing. “Chandana, I want you as my deputy. The sky is the limit for you at MLH. Can you come to meet the owner tomorrow?” he said and confirmed an appointment, with the Chairman of the company – Mr. U. K. Edmond and his second son, Sanath Ukwatte who was understudying his legendary father.

Built in 1806 initially as the British Governor’s residence, Mount Lavinia Hotel is the most historic and significant resort hotel in Sri Lanka. From the time I as a small kid attended a wedding there, I fell in love with this iconic hotel. My third trainee job and the first internship in the hospitality industry was there during the 1972/1973 tourist season. I was a trainee waiter there when It was Mount Lavinia Hyatt.

Mr. U. K. Edmond was one of those humble Southerners who came to Colombo and built significant businesses in the mid-20th century Ceylon. He was a great visionary business icon who ventured into railway catering, brewing and then the hotel business. Meeting him was a great pleasure. He was very observant and a good listener, but did not ask any questions from me during the interview. His son, Sanath, who had just returned after his business education in USA, asked me a few questions.

PJ then gave a glowing recommendation about me in Sinhala. PJ said, “This is the Sri Lankan with the highest academic qualification in hotel management. He is also a hands-on practical person. Chandana will be undoubtedly a big asset to our hotel.” That was enough for Mr. Edmond, who then asked his first question, “When can you begin work at my hotel?”

At that point, I told him that I have a few offers and a few more interviews. His response was decisive and quick, “No problem. Go to all those interviews and check the best offers they make. We will pay you more.” With that open offer, the interview ended. I did not accept their offer in 1985, but after considering two more offers, I eventually joined MLH to succeed PJ as the General Manager five years later.

General Manager – The Lodge and The Village

When I called my former boss at the John Keells corporate office, Bobby Adams told me of a position the largest group of companies in Sri Lanka had created six months previously. Bobby was the Director, Operations of this largest hotel chain in Sri Lanka. They were looking for a General Manager to manage their two largest hotels – The Lodge and the Village in Habarana in North Central Sri Lanka. Although he did not serve on the selection committee, I suspected that the Group Chairman, Mark Bostock, had strongly favoured my appointment. He was very fond of me and had arranged my first overseas training in England, his homeland, when I was a young 25-year old hotel manager in 1979.

I was determined to earn a five-figure monthly salary which was very high in Sri Lanka in the mid-1980s. After the final interview, I had to meet a main board member and the group’s Head of Finance, Mr. V. Kailasapillai. In an annoyed voice he asked me, “Chandana, why do you ask for such a high salary? What you are demanding is three times more than what we paid you in 1981.” After a little negotiation, he laughed and said, “OK, Chandana, let’s settle for Rs. 10,000 a month. Final offer”. We shook hands. Next day, I packed my bags and was chauffeur-driven 111 miles from Colombo to reach my new home in Habarana.

Habarana Resort Complex

The Lodge (now branded five-star Cinnamon Lodge Habarana) and The Village (now branded four-star Habarana Village by Cinnamon), are two of the best hotels in Sri Lanka. The 40-acre landscaped resort complex is surrounded by nature, water, forest, and wild life (with elephants, serpent eagles, kingfishers and monkeys etc.). Over 2,000 trees, the lake front and a fully-operational farm enhance a totally unique guest experience.

On a day when all 260 rooms in both hotels were full, my team provided hospitality and meals to 1,000 people – 520 guests, 120 tourist drivers, 360 employees and the family members of senior managers, who also lived in the resort complex. We worked hard, played hard, and looked after our guests, always aiming to exceed their expectations. We had very happy domestic customers as well – free accommodation and free meals to 90% of the employees, and lots of sports and recreational facilities for employees (football, volleyball, cricket, indoor games etc.). In Habarana, I felt like a mayor of a small town.

Having worked at the John Keells corporate office for a year in the early 1980s I was familiar with the Habarana Resort Complex. As the General Manager, I did a lot of public relations — with guests, tour leaders, drivers, associates and local communities. On my first day in the new job, I hosted a group of 12 British travel agents who were on a seven-day familiarisation tour of Sri Lanka.Over dinner, we became very friendly. One of them said, “You seem to know a lot about Habarana. How long have you lived in this beautiful place?” When I answered accurately as “One day” they refused to believe me.

After some laughter and wine, a female tour leader challenged me: “OK, if you started this job just today, what was your last job?” She was winking at her colleagues and giggling. I thought for a few seconds, and said truthfully, “my previous job was a part-time banquet waiter at the Dorchester in London.” The whole group laughed loud and shouted in unison, “Chandi, you are a bloody liar!”