Peter Tan’s Post

View profile for Peter Tan, graphic

General Manager

If you want to have a long term successful business in hospitality, you will need to stop pandering or coddling certain types of customers. Every day we will have 3 employees at the buggy area helping arriving golfers carry their golf bags to their respective buggies. I noticed that the more expensive the golfer's car, the more attentive the employees are 😅. For arriving Datuks and VIPs, even the sales people comes out to help ("drama"). If you drove an old car or God forbid... a Waja, somehow everyone will be busy somewhere else and these golfers will end up bringing their own bags to the buggy station. The wants and needs of a small minority of guests should not dictate the long term strategy of the business. The wants and needs of EVERY guests should. So I made sure that every golfers and resort guests are treated fairly and respectfully immaterial of their status in life. In fact, I personally prefer the non titled golfers and guests because the probability of a titled golfer or guest asking for a free game or discounts, is higher than the guy who just drove up in a Waja, paying full price for his game or rooms. Malaysia has thrived as a neo-feudal state for decades. Privilege and entitlement is systemic and it's very hard to change such expectations.

  • No alternative text description for this image

Geert Hofstede's Power Distance Theory explains this phenomenon to a 'T'. Malaysia's anthropology is considered 'high power distance' on the spectrum given how ingrained hierarchical socio-cultural structures are here. Justin Lee, a fellow hotelier, scribed a magnus opus on the topic - related to the matter at hand in relevance to organisational behaviour and incisive management methods specific to HR. I could not recommend his article any higher. I learnt much from it - it is a vein of gold in a barren wasteland of attempts to address a hoary chestnut of a problem. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-geert-hofstedes-theory-power-distance-its-justin-lee-zumoc/?trackingId=NZkRWYxDaBV0Rf3yY%2FlzTQ%3D%3D Anybody and everybody who has to supervise, manage or performance coach individuals or teams will find his impressively researched thesis most beneficial as it delves deep into the neuroeconomics of the root derivation of the psychological drivers of patternistic behaviour. There is no better start to trying to tailor-make a strategic blueprint to solving any property's unique power distance problems perpetuated by staff than by getting a firm grip on the slippery and deeply entrenched causality behind it. Best of luck.

Muhammad Haris bin Abdullah Ali

Marine Consultant | Accredited HRDC Trainer

7mo

Haha, totally get what you mean! I've noticed the same thing. But you know what? Those non-titled golfers are often the coolest folks to hang out with on the course. Plus, they appreciate the little things, like a good chat or a high-five after a great shot. And let me tell you, those higher tips to the caddies will get best goodbye wave after putting back your golf bag in the car. Win-win! 😄

Kan Bright San

Ad Lib Hotel and Innovation Center Khon Kaen

7mo

I noticed this kind of customer trend and habbit too. Normal guests pay corkage charge, vip waive the charge, hahaha....that is the world. This kind of situation happened in hotel industry, but not stand alone restaurant.

Dr Balan Balasundram - PhD Env.Tech USM

Website - saimatrix.net / Instagram - saimatrixdrb

7mo

Well narrated Peter. Aligned with the elements of ESG for.... Social, fair treatment to staff and stakeholders without considering race, gender, faith, status and position differences. Staffs react in such manner when senior managers behave unfair. Hope ESG creates the impact....

Like
Reply
Stephen Lombardo

Professional Hospitality

7mo

Nothing wrong with working for your tip...but all guests should be tended to similarly! This is the sign of respect for all!

Like
Reply
Augustus Lee

Dining Service Professional

7mo

Sadly this mindset is not only in Malaysia. Leaders in their departments should address this issue when observed.

Like
Reply

So true, well said 👍

Katherine Chang

Licensed Financial Advisor | Retirement Planning Specialist | Chartered Accountant | ACCA Fellow | Ex-CFO & Board Member of PLCs | Ex-Investment Banker

7mo

Good point there Peter Tan, And the guy driving the Waja may actually be a muti-millionaire keeping a low profile.

Emma Wu

Light is an Art, an Experience. We support façade and landscape lighting for different architecture and lighting consultant. Broad range of clients from Hospitality, Facades, F&B, Retail. Contact me for your projects!

7mo

Thanks for sharing. Good opinion.

See more comments

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics