Business Leaders interview: Manuel Herraiz Ortí

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

I currently work as the Director of Food & Beverage Of the Westin Palace Madrid which in the next month will become The Luxury Collection by Marriott (The Palace Madrid). 

I was born in Madrid (Spain) on 23rd, July of 1984. 

I graduated in the International Hotel Management School Les Roches Marbella on December 2006 and I have been in the Hotel Industry specially on the areas of Food & Beverage, Sales and Marketing. I arrived at the first Management position in 2008 by the hand of Me Madrid by Melia, after that I developed senior and middle management positions in Hilton worldwide, which later on I continue with companies on the luxury market such as Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay.

During my early years at Hotels, I had acquired practical experience in the areas of F&B (Restaurant, Bar, Room Service, Team Management, cost control, pricing and planning for F&B Area, Conference & events, Catering) which follow up to my studies specialised in Hospitality Management (sales & marketing, financial management, human resources, Front office and specially in F&B).

The principal areas of activity were always Food & Beverage business, Conference & Events, concept development, active Sales & Marketing and more important consultancy on different Hotel and venues to obtain commercial results and high-performance teams. To obtain this, I decided to be always travelling across several continents, to be able to acquire rich experience, cultures, techniques of service, food tendencies, concept Hotel and be upfront on the Food & Beverage Industry.

The last years I decided to Focus on the Spanish market, been part of Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, always on the area of Food & Beverage, Sales & Marketing, and since the a few months ago I want to join my city by the hand of the Westin Palace Hotel Madrid, which always has been on my mind and has been an iconic Hotel for his excellency and his achievements,  this period has been very interesting for me, for my professional as well as for my personal development, giving me a rich experience, mainly because the impulse of our Hospitality market, gastronomy and innovative tendencies, which they were always the aim of my personal development.

What motivates you in your work and what do you find most fulfilling about being a business leader?

I always get motivated by my clients, their experiences and the constant learning which this industry brings to us on the most iconic ways possible. At the same time, I get inspired by the people who we work with because you can constantly learn something from them.

How did you develop your leadership skills and how would you define your leadership style?

I developed my leadership skill by been very exigent with myself, always having great discipline and making sure that our days are a constant learning zone in each hotel, as I consider myself very exigent, I always like to be a role model for my employees and very supportive as we never know what people is having or what do they need.

Innovating is crucial in our very diverse industry. How do you stay ahead of trends and incorporate them into your global strategy?

Always! I believe it is part of our industry as we have to on constant research of the new trends, cocktails, food and be cheeky on see how the others are doing through their success in business to make sure that you can bring some parts to yours.

What do you consider to be the key component(s) of effective business operational development?

Key roles, understanding the business, key leader with skills related to the matter and discipline on achievements, commitment, loyalty and simplicity.

How do you approach identifying areas for improvement within a company's operations?

By being present and making sure that each point of view is taken into consideration, so we can achieve better results if the team is working together.

What is or are your biggest career achievement(s)?

Being able to say that I have been in more than 9 countries, 3 continents and I have been able to adapt and work very well with each team that I have been part of or managed.

Do you have examples where your leadership made a difference? If so, what were they?

I always try to make sure that I make other leader be leaders, I have never been selfish and sharing knowledge I believe that greater things can be achieved.

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Micro-management never comes to a good end, always identify the talents on your team and make sure that you work with them at the same time that overflow the operation constantly and be present.

How did you identify and seize opportunities for advancement in your career?

By being in constant speaking with great head-hunters, big companies of hotels and restaurants and being focus on what the market needs at each moment.

Have you achieved everything you wanted in your career so far?

Not yet. There is always room for more and become more ambitious

How important is personal development to your success, and how do you approach it?

Super important, I have to be in constant learning at the place that I work, otherwise I get demotivated and not giving my 150% at all times.

How do you prioritise tasks when everything feels like a priority?

By being methodical, organized, keeping an agenda and making sure that we prioritize accordingly.

What was the hardest decision you have taken as a leader?

Leave a hotel which I love is the most, but it was for career growth, and I have to be even more focused on me.

What steps do you take to measure your own performance?

I always examine myself according to people and business, I keep challenging myself with other, while they do not figure out that I’m doing it.

What does success mean for you as a business leader?

Success is sometime coming from disagreeing with yourself to become a better professional, be as I mentioned before; constantly challenge yourself and make sure that YOU are the one you push the most.