Receptionist to manager: The rise of Hemmingways revenue chief

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 19 – Braving through the devastating impacts COVID-19  had on the tourism and hospitality sector, 39-year-old Anne Kariuki, the group revenue, and reservations manager at Hemingways collections managed to make the firm flourish and thrive aided by her determination, vigor, and passion for the hotel sector.

Despite her success in forging growth for the firm, Kariki’s journey towards her position was not an easy one.

She started from the bottom, as a receptionist, and slowly climbed her way up the ranks, proceeded to be the reservations supervisor, reservation manager, yield manager, revenue manager, and was finally promoted as the overall manager of Hemingways collection.

The group is made up of  Hemingways Nairobi, Hemingways Watamu, and Hemingways Ol Seki Mara Camp.

In an interview with Capital Business, Kariuki attested that in order to keep her dream and vision alive, she required and utilized a lot of enthusiasm, energy and creativity, and a high drive to brave through challenges in order to sustain

PERSONAL GROWTH

Being in the industry for over a decade, Anne exudes mastery of the hotel sector even as she explains her work-family balance which she says is a key tenet for any career.

“Having a family is an anchor, no matter how far you wander in your career,” she said.

“A  good career woman is one who can balance both work and personal life on the same wavelength,” the mother of one said noting that family is what grounds her despite having a busy work schedule due to the nature of her work.

Her typical day at Hemingway’s involves having a review of what was achieved during the days, ensuring revenues are collected, planning for future strategies, determining what strategy to apply, rate checks, and system checks.

“Being in a company where the canvas is given to you and your decisions are valued, criticism is constructive and an opportunity like no other, is among the reasons why I enjoy working here,” she told Capital Business.

“Every day brings on a smile knowing you made someone’s experience a remarkable one, while you still learned from them in the process,” she adds.

In her advice to those aspiring to work and manage teams in the hotel sector, Kariuki says that people should pursue their dreams without limiting what they are capable of.

“Once you achieve a goal, take time to review it and take in the good and the lessons that come with it. Start a new position with an open mind, share concerns with related teams and work together not apart,” she said.

COVID KNOCKED ON OUR DOORS

As COVID swept across the world, causing most businesses and hotels to close due to the low turnout of customers, Hemingways collection managed to brave through due to what Anne described as “the resilience and drive of its teams.”

Kariuki said that the firm was able to evolve with the changes brought and came up with distinct strategies that enabled them to survive.

“Through the prompt establishment of preventive measures, Hemingways managed to retain most of its staff and reopen its doors to customers. With it being a five-star collection of hotels, they credit their continuous visits by customers to their top quality of services that remain top-notch to meet guests’ needs,” she said.

In order to tackle the challenge of low bookings and business, she notes that the firm banked on a DO NOT CANCEL, RATHER POSTPONE campaign which encouraged operators, agents, and travelers to make new or carry forward existing bookings.

“We have seen changes in commitments to lock in bookings due to the ever-changing pandemic scenarios and their uncertainties, this saw the company manage to maintain its financial status and amass small amounts of profit despite the dire situation of the economy,” she added.