FROM THE WESTIN GURGAON, NEW DELHI

SPG SUPER CHAMPION

Thanks to SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) , one of the most acclaimed loyalty program of Starwood Hotels. Because of SPG, Anoop Pandey (29),Front Office Manager, The Westin Gurgaon , New Delhi had the good fortune of lapping up the "Rooms Leader of the Year Award 2014" in the month of July 2014.

Remember: He is the SPG Super Champion for 12 properties in India. The above mentioned award sat lightly on his shoulders as he topped on many parameters out of around hundred Starwood Hotels in the Asia Pacific Division. The parameters being: "Win With Talent"(eight persons in Front Office got graduated into the Starwood careers- they got placed in different locations in higher positions)."Doing the right things" is all about Zero tolerance, Ethics etc. "Collaboration" stresses on co-ordination with all departments. While, "walk the extra mile" denotes the efforts on dazzling and delighting the guests. Last but not the least, in the category, "execute brilliantly", and this Winner of SPG Milestone contest had ensured the highest SPG enrolment in the entire India. There are around two dozen Starwood Hotels in India.

There are only two SPG SUPER CHAMPIONS in India: one is Anoop Pandey, our hero of this story. The other gentleman is Anurag Rai, RDM at Sheraton Bengaluru.

"Going forward every Westin Hotel all over the world will have an Westin Experience Specialist, in our hotel at Gurgaon, presently, Himanshu Kapoor is donning this role" says Anoop Pandey. To deliver consistent personalized service at all times is the responsibility of this specialist. Soon an introductory Video will be released towards the grand launch of this Westin Experience Specialist. The Camera crew from The Corporate Office in USA has already shot the interview sequences with Anoop Pandey and Himanshu Kapoor.

Now, more on the Rooms Leader of the Year Award. This Award has been given to Anoop Pandey in a glittering function (RVP AWARD CEREMONY) held in the hotel itself in July 2014. The Regional Team as well as the Divisional Team has been present plus 20 GMs ....plus the directors of HR, Finance, Sales & Marketing. The august presence of Stephen Ho,( President), Dilip Puri ( MD, Regional Vice President ) and Sanjay Sharma, Anuraag Bhatnagar(both Area General Managers) have been an embellishment indeed.

Moradabad born Anoop Pandey gets fascinated by the technology. During his free time, he plays around with music. Mixing music is his hobby. Effectively he infuses the technology into the guest service. For e.g. counting on WhatsApp,  the Front Office group ensures seamless flow of information. "Use technology to our advantage fully, this is the most sustainable way of doing business. I always want to contribute on a daily basis, also would love to do things differently”.

Anoop completed his four year degree course on Hotel Management from WGSHA, Manipal. He started his career as a Management Trainee in Leela Mumbai, also worked in Kovalam as well as Bengaluru in the properties of Leela. Has been part of the pre opening team of the Westin Hyderabad- joined there as a Duty Manager, landed at Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi in 2010 as Asst Front Office Manager, again part of the pre opening team of this hotel; got promoted as Front Office Manager in 2011. Since the beginning of this year Anoop acts-conducts-behaves like a Rooms Division Manager. May be promotion as RDM is just around the corner...

His father is a retired Chemistry Lecturer, mom is a homemaker. Elder brother is married; is the Branch Manager of a newly promoted private Bank in Delhi.

Anoop is married presently to Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi.

Text and Pics by R KESAVA MALLIA in Gurgaon