Monthly Archives: July 2011

Corinthia London Tour

The fabulous lobby lounge chandelier

During a recent trip to the UK Liz Lycette managed to catch up with Anne-lyse Dufour, Executive Housekeeper at the stunning new 5 star, Corinthia London. Anne-lyse took a little time out of her busy schedule to show Liz around the hotel located in the centre of London at Whitehall Place, right next to Charing Cross station and overlooking the Thames. The 294 room Corinthia Hotel London is the flagship of the Corinthia group and has become the ninth member of the Corinthia family, opening its doors in May this year.

The hotel is in the style of a Grand Hotel with many modern and contemporary touches. It has specialty restaurants and London’s largest spa and wellness facility.

The soaring dome in the centre of the lobby lounge features a Full Moon chandelier created by Parisian designer Chafik Gasmi and produced by Baccarat, the prestigious French crystal manufacturer. The Full Moon, composed of 1,001 crystal baubles, is the grand focal point of the main hotel area. This will be an interesting cleaning assignment for housekeeping!

www.corinthia.com/London

The lobby lounge

Anne-lyse points out features of the ballroom

SEQPHA Breakfast at Sofitel Brisbane

SEQPHA

SEQPHA had a great turn out on a July fresh winter morning of just under 50 people at the Sofitel Brisbane.  A big thanks to the Hotel who put on a lovely buffet breakfast once again, and lovely hot chocolates and coffee’s just what we needed after leaving the Gold Coast at 5.30am.  It was lovely to have Keeana and her Mum – Glenda as our special guests, and our new charity focus will be on the Leukaemia foundation.  Libby’s Hotel the Sofitel Gold Coast kindly donated a weekend for her and her Mum, and Mark Kelly from Corporate Designs also donated a weekend at the Golden Beach resort on the Sunshine Coast. I am sure we all enjoyed the speech given by Judith Hill from QHA.  Thanks again to all for attending, see you at the Trade Show.

Don’t Forget:  WEDNESDAY THE 21ST OF SEPTEMBER, HYATT SANCTUARY COVE.

Any inquiries, email Melissa Bent at melcoronet@iprimus.com.au

Give success a chance!

Ariane Lellmann

By Ariane Lellmann, Senior Housekeeping Consultant

There is a common misconception “Work hard and you will get ahead”, but whether you consider it fair or not, that is indeed an outdated myth. In today’s competitive business environment we must recognise that professional success is built on three critical components; ‘Performance’, ‘Image’ and ‘Exposure’. While ‘Performance’ is obviously still pivotal, it is also the minimum to remain in a job and as such is only the first step on the ladder of success. The aspect of ‘Image’ is the message you send before you speak, whether it is intentional or not, and includes your physical presentation and confidence projection. Your image is your brand and you can improve your image if you are open to self-improvement. Finally ‘Exposure’ is making sure that others know of your achievement and builds your reputation.

Does your form of dress and presentation style (even in uniform) communicate your desired impression and image? When was the last time you asked for honest feedback how others see you? Is your self presentation aligned with your desired professional goals and ambitions? This article aims at providing a few practical tips on how you can positively influence your image, realising your full business potential and ambitions. The strategy is to “Dress for Success”!

A few business dress guidelines to enhance your self-presentation and image in the corporate environment include:

Suits, combinations and jackets
Ø    Always choose a well tailored, dark suit in dark blue or mid- to dark-grey, not brown. Suits are the most stylish and professional outfit and most authoritative.
Ø    Don’t wear slightly different colours as a combination. Wear a darker colour jacket with a paler colour for trousers or skirt.
Ø    The jacket is the most important item .Avoid sleeves which are either too short or too long and fold them up – have them altered professionally to fit you perfectly
Ø    Always dry clean suit pieces together
Ø    Hang up suit jackets on hangers with broad backs and let them air

Skirts
Ø    Skirt length to be just below the knee, where the leg is the slimmest.
Ø    Waistbands to be loose enough to insert two fingers allowing it to turn easily; it must hang from the buttocks in a straight line and not curve under.

Trousers
Ø    Trouser pleats are to remain closed, zippers and closings must lie flat. Trousers must be long enough to break in front and fall straight from buttocks. The waistband to be loose enough          to allow two fingers to be inserted and no panty line to show at any time.
Ø    Avoid stuffed pockets with keys, money or phone (use your handbag)

Blouses and tops
Ø   Be careful with blouse collars under jackets, best wear no-collar plain tops without frills and not see-through. They should be made of natural fibres or top quality blends such as silk, crepe, challis, cotton and linen.
Ø   Beware of the wrong colour bra under any top and avoid dressing provocatively ( no revealing necklines, cover your cleavage)

Dresses
Ø    Wrap style and button down dresses are very suited
Ø    Avoid clingy fabric dresses

Different fabrics and fabric finishes
Ø     Suited for official corporate wear: solids or small prints in fine weaves such as worsted wool, wool crepe gabardine, gabardine, crepe, crepe de chine, jacquard.
Ø     Suited for smart casual office wear: solids or medium prints in medium weaves such as herringbone, jersey, knit, broadcloth, oxford cloth, cotton pique, raw silk, tweed – patterned, linen, linen/blends, handkerchief-weight linen, wool flannel, rayon
Ø     Best suited for casual wear only: solids or medium to large prints in coarser, looser weaves such as corduroy, denim, madras, seersucker, poplin
Ø     Remember that the finer the weave and the shinier the fabric, the dressier the garment. Matte finish is less dressy. Avoid mixing fabrics with very different constructions and finishes.

Shoes
Ø    Wear clean and polished, closed court shoes with a medium high heel matching your trousers or skirt. Avoid very strappy sandals or heels you cannot walk on.
Ø    If you wear tights (preferably tan colour, no pattern) have a spare pair packed in case you snag them. Never wear dark tights with paler colour shoes. Don’t wear tights in open toe sandals, showing the toe seam. If no tights are worn, ensure legs are waxed, moisturised and heels buffed.

Accessories
Ø    Jewellery at work: Less is more. Jewellery to be discreet, not dangling or noise making, one ring per hand, good quality watch, one bracelet, one necklace (string of pearls is the most classical, but many fashion beads are acceptable ); earrings close to the ear and avoid loop or dangling earrings in the more conservative business environments.
Ø    Avoid visible body piercing or tribal body painting/tattooing.
Ø    Complete the 15-point check-up before leaving for work: Count each shoe, your stockings, your jacket and blouse and your skirt (if it is different from the jacket). Bright colours count two points and bright nail polish and red hair each count one point. Count all accessories including bracelets, necklaces, each earring, brooches and scarves. If the number exceeds 15, you’ve overdone it

Know what suits your shape – a few tricks and tips

For all figures

Ø    Buy 1 good quality item, rather than 5 badly made ones
Ø    Par down and minimise your business wardrobe – make sure all items can be mixed and matched
Ø    Always buy the right size and items in proportion to your shape
Ø    Have a good seamstress for alterations!
Ø    Buy classic items for work – they last longer and don’t go out of fashion

The fuller figure

Ø    Base your business wardrobe on dark neutral colours and prefer one-colour dressing, adding interest with textures and colourful accessories, preferably close to the face.
Ø    Vertical and diagonal lines are your friends
Ø    Watch proportion and balance, make sure clothes fit properly and are not oversized
Ø    Avoid bulky, stiff or shiny fabrics, they should have just enough weight to fall naturally without clinging

The small and petite figure

Ø    Always wear small prints and patterns, narrow lapels or box style jackets, keep trimmings and accessories in proportion to your body size

And finally do not forget that your deportment, body language and good grooming also impact on your physical presentation.

Remember that employers don’t hire or promote a person on their qualifications or job performance alone, but they evaluate the entire package – so apply some of the tricks of business and give your success a chance.

Hotel employee security – working alone in a guest room

After multiple reports in the media regarding the incidents at the Sofitel and the Pierre Hotels in New York, the safety of Room Attendants, working alone in a guest room has been highlighted as a major issue. A system needs to be in place to protect our colleagues. Below are some suggestions:

• Set up a safe standard
• Ensure you communicate this standard to all your colleagues so they are in no doubt that they can report anything to you and that they have your full support.
• Consider if working in pairs is an option
• Consider if a panic alarm is available.

The following could be a working procedure:

• Use the correct entry procedure for entering an occupied room.
• Before proceeding to clean, check all areas inside to ensure the room is empty, especially in suites.
• If the guest is in the room, ask the guest when you can return to clean his room.
• Return when the guest is out.
• If the guest insists that you clean the room and does not wish to leave, inform him that you will come back shortly with a colleague.
• If he asks you why, say ―”sorry, this is the procedure I am required to follow”
• If the guest is a lady and you feel comfortable, you can start your work.
• Your security has to be the prime consideration. Ensure you report any unacceptable behaviour from a guest. Even if this behaviour did not disturb you, it may be disturbing to another colleague.
• Do not leave the door open, this is a security issue, a person passing by could easily enter the room.
• If guests come into the room while you are cleaning, follow the above procedures as though the guest is in the room.
• Ensure that you use your own master key and do not open doors for others.

This article was reprinted with permission from the UK Housekeepers Association (UKHA)
For more information visit:  www.ukha.co.uk