WEDA SUGAMA
GENERAL MANAGER
—
Weda Sugama is a very resourceful leader and as a General Manager he is highly driven to generate revenue and manage costs efficiently through his strong ideas and exceptional management skills with comprehensive market segment of high-end luxury properties.
What prompted you to work for Bisma Eight?
By positioning as a property, Bisma Eight is one of the fast-growth and top unique boutique hotels in Ubud that attracts a high-market segment which makes it an honor to work for and also a great opportunity to further expand my professional course in the hospitality industry.
What do you do at work that you enjoy so much you actually lose track of time?
Handling urgent and top priority tasks and its required responsibilities.
At work, what puts a smile on your face?
Guest satisfaction, staff prosperity, and the Hotel’s external and internal achievements.
If you could relive one day of your life, which day would you choose?
For me every day is a good day.
What's next for you and Bisma Eight?
Giving my best to maintain Bisma Eight’s performance, carry through its core philosophy, vision and mission, and to always improve the service quality to prioritize guest satisfaction.
———
BE: What motivated you to go into the hotel industry?
WS: Bali is known worldwide as a tourism island and as a proud Indonesian I see a big opportunity in Bali’s hospitality industry system.
BE: What have you always enjoyed about the hospitality industry?
WS: The interaction with people from around the world and sharing each other’s culture.
BE: What can you say about Bisma Eight target market and its brand image?
WS: By seeing guest profiles including their average spend, most demands come from the high-market segment which fits perfectly with the positioning and image of the brand.
BE: You are a Balinese descent, which aspects of its culture do you enjoy the most, and which you find most difficult to adjust to? How do you see it differently (or the same way) from other Indonesian ethnic group (perhaps compare to Javanese)?
WS: Indonesia is the richest country in diversity in terms of culture, religion and culinary, I am very proud to be an Indonesian and Balinese descent and giving my part in the everyday life. In my opinion, our diversity is our strength as a nation that is rare to find in other countries, and by respecting each other and embracing the differences I believe we are be able to create and sustain a harmonious community, and as a nation.
BE: What are the most challenging issues you are facing on your current position?
WS: A new management which mostly changes in a very short period is one of the big challenges because during the process going through these sudden changes we would need to assign the tasks to the existing department staff or most probably need to appoint new staff to implement in a very short time.
BE: In the eyes of your employees, what is the single most important quality you should have?
WS: Leadership.
BE: In your opinion, what is the single best quality your employees can possess?
WS: Passionate about what they do.
BE: How do you inspire loyalty and trust in your staff?
WS: Keep an open mind and trust them, but the most important thing is to cultivate the company’s philosophy, vision and mission and that we are on the same ship on our way to this amazing journey together.
BE: What are the things that you do not like to do?
WS: Doing things out of my capacity.
BE: Some people say that a GM is not important to his frontline employees. Do you agree?
WS: General Manager is at the very top in the organization chart of management. It means a General Manager has the biggest responsibilities in running a property, a GM also supervises each of Head of Department and ranked above all employees and staff, therefore I disagree if a General Manager is not important to the frontline employees.
BE: If you must make a choice, would you do the things right or would you do the right things?
WS: I prefer to do the right things over doing things right.
BE: If you didn't know how old you are, how old would you like to be?
WS: From my perspective, age does not matter, keeping one self healthy is more important and continue keeping up with the good work.
BE: How have you changed in the past five years?
WS: I believe I have surpassed myself in the past 5 years of my career, I am better than I was 5 years ago, stronger in both working in a team environment as well as in own capacity including working under pressure.
BE: What advice would you offer to those who are inspired to become successful in the hotel industry?
WS: Be creative, focused and do the job with high consistency.