Monika Tritz

In today's episode, I am extremely happy to welcome Monika Tritz, who is the General Manager at Kempinski The One Suites Hotel Shanghai Downtown.

Monika and I met for the first time in Djibouti, East Africa where I reported to her during my Management Traineeship at the Djibouti Palace Kempinski. While I went back to Germany, Monika continued her path with Kempinski. After a Task Force in Tanzania, China was calling her. This was the time, where I was looking for a new internship, as part of my studies. So, I joined Monika again as a Rooms Division trainee for 6 months. This was an intense and extremely instructive time for both, my hospitality but also cultural understanding. From day one, I admired Monika for her tremendous talent to balance all the various needs of clients and colleagues from all different cultural backgrounds. She was able to motivate individuals, to work as a team, which resulted in very high guest satisfaction. And I guarantee you - you cannot resist her "Let's do it" mentality.

However, there was one question she asked me a lot, that really changed my way of thinking as a young and inexperienced intern, until now. A question she kept asking whenever I asked her for advice or help.

"How would you do it?" Thank you, Monika, for always asking the right questions.

Enjoy the read of an impressive career of a hard-working, passionate, and loyal hotel enthusiast.

Question 1: Where did you start your career?

Monika Tritz: "I have started my career as an intern with Kempinski Hotel Airport Munich, at the airport in Munich, 20 years ago and from there, 5 years later, I went on my journey into the world. 

Having since then held several permanent and task force positions within Hotel Operations, my assignments with Kempinski Hotels have brought me to an international career having worked and developed in Germany, the UAE, Italy, Croatia, Africa, China, Indonesia, Switzerland, and Qatar.

In the role of Regional Director of Operations, the scope of work focused on leading operational aspects within the portfolio of region Europe by applying the company strategy through people, performance, and quality. I was able to see "my world "from a very different angle. That helped me to understand the full picture of our business. 

Furthermore, interim GM assignments and active participation in innovative projects to improve operational workflows have been a key function of my previous role and to ensure the achievement of the highest guest satisfaction rates and quality service levels while maintaining financial performance, cost controlling, and departmental profitability.

Education never stopped for me along the way. Holding a Master Certificate in Hospitality and Revenue Management in addition to Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management by Cornell University, I have currently been assigned to my first General Manager role at Kempinski The One Suites Hotel Shanghai Downtown since February this year."

Question 2: What means hospitality to you?

MT: "In one word: People - it is the passion for people, the passion to serve, welcome, and create truly memorable moments and experiences. But not only for our guests, but as well for our team members and business partners. I have always naturally enjoyed the interaction as well as seeing the success of implemented projects fills me with great joy."

Question 3: Can you please share an anecdote you experienced, that shows the variety and beauty of our industry?

MT: "Oh, there are really so many, but to share one, I recently went through some email folders I had worked on during my time at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi 2007 and I found wonderful pictures of 2 dream weddings of German guests we had at our hotel - the interesting part was, I have been asked to be witness to their marriage without prior knowing them."

These were truly memorable experiences, not only for the newlywed couples but as well for me. 

There are many more, memories, experiences, people you meet, tasks you have to master - I can only confirm that our industry is truly full of variety and beauty. 

Question 4: Have you had a mentor in your career? Who was it and did she/he give you any advice you still follow?

MT: "In the due course of my career, I had quite a few superiors who believed in me, who saw my potential, and who pushed me over and far above my limits because they knew, it will only make me stronger and more experienced. 

I think it is important to look up to somebody, to be encouraged to ask, and be empowered to act and make mistakes to learn from."

Question 5: What would you like to say to a hospitality student/ a hospitality professional who recently started their career, right now?

MT: "Firstly, WELCOME to the thrilling world of hospitality! Followed by, work not only hard but most and foremost smart - take time off to rejuvenate and foster new ideas - keep yourself informed of what is going on around you and the industry and open up for the world - it is a truly interesting playground. Never stop moving, even if you feel you are moving in baby steps, important is you move - and sometimes in your career, you might have to step one step back in order to get two steps ahead." 

Question 6: Do you have a book recommendation - this could be everything from a novel to an autobiography, etc. 

MT: "Stephen Covey: The 7 habits of highly effective people

Napoleon Hill: Think and grow rich

Miguel Ruiz: The four agreements

Robin Sharma: "5 AM club" and "The Monk who sold his Ferrari" "

Thank you Monika for taking your time. I cannot wait for meeting you again somewhere around the globe.

I hope you enjoyed the second episode of "Monday motivation - Felix asks...". Feel free to share this article with everyone in our industry who needs to hear some positive stories. Stories of unique leaders with impressive careers.

Best, Felix