Monthly Archives: February 2013

Inaugural Development Programme workshop for Housekeeping Managers London UK – February 2013

The first week in February saw the first Development Programme for Housekeeping Managers workshop in London, with 16 attendees from all over London joining the training. As always with these workshops there was a great exchange of ideas and best practice within the group.

Participants now have tools for finance, people management and quality control to assist in improving their Housekeeping operations. All hotels were well represented with Housekeepers from London Hilton Paddington, Radisson Edwardian group, Lancaster Gate, Corinthia and Coworth Park attending.

The Housekeeping teams from the hosting group, Ascott International Management, also participated in the workshop. Ms Rebecca Hollants Van Loocke, Regional General Manager UK for Ascott International Management, Europe was on hand to congratulate all the participants and hand out the certificates.

Some of the feedback from the participants

“Easy to understand.  Lots of useful information and practice”

Lots of information passed and explained in a very interactive way

“a great sharing experience,  look at different ways to do things and brainstorming”

”I learned a lot about financial management, thank you”

“Helps to streamline my knowledge of P&L in Housekeeping”

This workshop has now been successfully delivered to over 500 Housekeepers in Singapore, Kulua Lumpur Malaysia, Fiji, Cairo Egypt, UAE Dubai and Abu Dhabi, throughout India, Bangkok Thailand, Doha Qatar, Shanghai China, Bali Indonesia and Sydney Australia.

L&A will be back in UK in early May this year with a follow up 2 day workshop which will include topics such as working with Engineering, project management, opening hotels, health and safety, environmental best practice and presentation skills. If there is demand the same 3 day workshop will also be run early May 2013.

For more information about our courses email us at info@lycetteandassociates.com

PHAN AGM 19 March 2013

The PHAN Annual general Meeting will be held on Tuesday 19 March 2013 – 4 pm at the ShangriLa in Sydney.  Please put in your diary now, official invitation will be forwarded next week, make sure the PHAN public officer has your updated information.

PEHN events for 2013

The Victorian Professional Executive Housekeeper Network (PEHN) Calendar of events for 2013. First PEHN event for the year will be the Easter Party @ scuttle on the 26th March, followed by the Housekeeper’s Forum in May, in July a Mini Trade Show, September is the International Housekeeper’s Week Activities, AGM in October and Christmas Party in December.  Check the website for details, closer to date, invites will go out to all members.

For more information visit: http://www.pehn.org

L&A visits London’s W hotel

During a recent London trip Liz had the opportunity to catch up with Lisa Williams – the Director of Style for W Hotel in Leicester Square in London. Liz and Lisa first in New Zealand, while Liz was on assignment at Langham Hotel Auckland and Lisa was the Executive Housekeeper.

Lisa took a moment out of her busy schedule to show Liz around the 192 bedroom property which opened in 2010.

Like all Starwood “W” hotels – this property is very trendy – luxury mixed with innovative style and it is right in the centre of Leicester Square – the entertainment hub of central London.

Lisa has a team of Room Stylists (Room Attendants) who make up rooms along with her team of Style Talent Coaches (Supervisors) to keep the property in tip top condition.

A Style Talent Coach (Housekeeping Supervisor) is a part of Housekeeping department or Style as they call it in the W lingo. A Style Talent Coach reports to the Style Manager.

The Style Talent Coach (Housekeeping Supervisor) assists in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout the Hotel by being aware of ‘Talent needs’ to be able to delight guests.

W Hotel London – Bedroom

W Hotel London

SEQPHA AGM and 1st Breakfast in 2013

SEQPHA will hold its first breakfast for 2013 as well as their AGM this month. The event will be held at the Watermark Hotel and Spa Gold Coast on Tuesday the 26th of February 2013.

Dates for your diary.

• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary “Shave for a Cure” Tuesday the 12^th March.
• Gold Coast Turf Club “Race Day” Saturday the 6^th April.

After the AGM the new committee will plan the rest of the year.

Please contact Melissa Bent if you want a AGM nomination form or a SEQPHA membership form by email: melissa@corporatedesigns.com.au

Lycette & Associates presented at the Housekeepers Share Knowledge Day

The UK Housekeeper Association invited Liz Lycette to present at the Share Knowledge Day held on Tuesday 22nd January 2013 at the prestigious Jumeirah Carlton Towers Hotel in Knightsbridge. The presentation, ‘Maintaining Quality in Guest Rooms and Public Areas’ was well received by the audience of over 60 housekeepers and general managers. Other topics presented included finance excel spreadsheets, emotional intelligence and the digital Housekeeper.

The afternoon session was an introduction into back of house design with best practice and benefits, the group then presented what they currently do with some ideas for the future.

High words of phrase came from Anne Britton, President of UKHA and organiser of the day.

“You were just wonderful. You are inspirational. I just loved your presentation you make a subject that can be boring fun but still cramming in the information, shaking us up to do better and putting us up-to-date with the latest devises. All in all a winning success. Thank you very much to have been part of our UK Share Knowledge day; your input was instrumental to that successful day.”

Lycette & Associates thanks Anne Britton and the UKHA for the opportunity to speak at the Share Knowledge Day.

UKHA President Anne Britton with the speakers at the Share Knowledge Day

Lycette & Associates receives Grand Tour of The Arch Hotel at Marble Arch London

One of the great plusses about the hospitality industry is the ability to work in other parts of the world. With L&A I travel far and wide to deliver our housekeeping workshops and conduct operational reviews for housekeeping departments. It is always a great pleasure if I can catch up with past colleagues and fellow housekeeping experts. This time I am in London to run a Housekeeping Development Programme as well as presenting at the UKHA Share Knowledge Day.

Last week I was fortunate to catch up with Grant Powell, fellow Antipodean and General Manager of the Arch Hotel in Marble Arch London. I was invited to visit the property and received the Grand Tour.

Executive Housekeeper Gitana proudly showed me throughout the 82 roomed boutique style property. It was designed by RDD Interior Architectural Design and was inspired by the London landmark, Marble Arch, and the local neighborhood. The Hotel spans seven Grade II listed townhouses and two mews homes encompassing approximately 55,000 square feet.

The Georgian buildings that make up The Arch London, were originally built as residential homes during the 18^th Century. During the Blitz of WWII, a cluster of bombs bisected Bryanston Square, damaging almost all of the buildings on Great Cumberland Place, including those of The Arch London. After the war, the buildings continued as private dwellings, until they were converted into two hotels, in 1975. AB Hotels purchased the buildings in September 2001, when The Arch London’s story began.

The rooms have been carefully designed including the great purpose built minibar area and compact bathrooms.

Win one free admission to the online Finance for Housekeepers course starting on Monday 18 February

To all housekeepers around the world! From today for only 5 days L&A is offering 1 person FREE ADMISSION to its online Finance for Housekeepers course . For your chance to win and start this course on Monday 18 February with fellow housekeepers from around the world register your name, position, hotel and email address with Josephine. Email her your details and your name will go in the draw. Email josephine@lycetteandassociates.com  The winner will be notified by email.

More information about the course:
This self-directed course enables Housekeeping Manager’s to think critically and become more financially savvy. The focus is on practical skills for the workplace, expanding and developing professional confidence. The course is facilitated, clear and simple learning via the internet – scheduled over 8 weeks and over approximately 20 hours:

• downloadable on-the-job tools and templates
• interactive forums with global peers
• case studies and practical work exercises
• assessments evaluated by the facilitator and returned with individual feedback
• awards for successful participants with a L&A certificate or within Australia, a Statement of Attainment