Shenzhen was one of the first areas in China opened to foreign direct investment in 1979. Since then, the city has become a vital hub straddling the mainland and Hong Kong and hotels like Kempinski have flocked to serve the demand.

Nick Eeles is the General Manager of the Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen, and he has been with hotel since August 2005 when the hotel was in its pre-opening stage. A British citizen, he has worked in a variety of positions with Kempinski over the last six years and is now helping to catapault the brand to new heights in southern China.

What sort of changes have you implemented since taking over in your new position?
My appointment at the Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen was initially to manage the pre-opening of the hotel towards a successful opening which was realized on September 30, 2006. We are continually making changes to continuously improve, often based on guest feedback.

What sort of qualities do you look for when hiring staff?
It's all about attitude. We put a lot of focus on hiring people who have the right attitude towards developing a career in the hotel industry. Naturally, in hiring more senior positions, a proven track record is also a key consideration. However, it's a positive attitude that perhaps counts the most. Then it is our responsibility to develop our people through structured training, counseling and support.

What are some challenges to operating in southern China?
Challenges are found working anywhere, not only in Southern China. Challenges add spice to life! However, I must admit, perhaps the primary challenge is due to the mushrooming of branded hotels opening in southern China, or China in general, staff retention among the junior ranks can also pose quite a challenge. Human resources are often a challenge in rapidly developing markets. Nonetheless, as is our mission to be a preferred employer in the luxury hotel sector through genuinely caring for our people, we manage to date to minimize our staff turnover.

How does Kempinski train and retain its staff in China?
Staff retention is achieved through genuinely caring for our people. This is realized through several disciplines including structured training, providing competitive benefits and quality living conditions when necessary, a happy work environment, and simply treating people with respect.

Each and every employee has his or her talent which must be nurtured for the betterment of both employee and company. Our people are our primary asset. We are continuously identifying candidates from within to enter the groups unique development program, which incorporates cross training in other Kempinski Hotels both in China and overseas and MBA programs for future GMs, to develop our future Department Heads and Executives from within to ensure our human resources keep pace with the future planned expansion in China.

What was the best advice you received when starting out in this industry?
As I have grown in my career I have received a lot of advice and guidance through the years from colleagues to support my development thus to single out the 'best' advice is a challenge.

My advice to newcomers to the industry? As is the case with all professions it is important that you enjoy what you do in order to be able to perform well. Our profession is all about people. Be it enjoying the work environment with your colleagues, or taking care of our guests to meet, or exceed, their expectations no matter what it takes. Pleasing people I find very rewarding, whether it is supporting and realizing a colleague's development, or receiving positive comments from our guests.

Thus, if you enjoy a sociable job, and are prepared to commit yourself to what you do, as undoubtedly the hospitality profession can incur unsociable hours and requires dedication, opportunities for career growth in the hospitality industry abound, specifically in China today, and tomorrow!

With the rapid development in the hotel sector currently in China there are new job opportunities being advertised every day. But do not make the mistake of moving from job to job too often as, in time, this can work against you as most reputed employers will always identify people with a steady, clean track record.

How does Kempinski plan to expand in the coming five years throughout southern China?
Kempinski Hotels continues to focus its expansion throughout China, which remains one of the world's most exciting markets for international luxury hotel groups. With another seven Kempinski hotels currently scheduled to open in Huizhou, Qingdao, Shanghai, Sanya, Tianjin, Wuxi and Yinchuan between now and end 2009, Kempinski is already one of the major players in the important Chinese market with an impressive portfolio in key destinations in China.