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The hospitality difference
The HIM difference
A foundation in hospitality is what makes HIM a unique business school. Traditionally associated with travel and tourism, hospitality is essentially about making clients feel cared for. It’s inherently people-oriented and requires soft skills, which are increasingly valued across all sectors in today's job market. Today, hospitality includes all businesses that require or can benefit from elevated client experiences and customer service.
Advantages of hospitality in business
The skills taught by weaving hospitality into a business curriculum add a layer of professional options where service, empathy, and interpersonal skills are imperative. Graduates are equipped with a versatile skill set invaluable across a myriad of industries. This is accomplished through:
- Soft Skills Development
Soft skills such as empathy, communication, teamwork, and adaptability, are the foundation of hospitality and are essential for creating positive client relations and effective interpersonal interactions. - Real-World Application
Through practical training, internships, and industry partner projects, students apply these skills in real-world settings, refining them through direct client interaction, teamwork, and service excellence. - Transferable Skill Set
The skills developed through hospitality are highly transferable and offer significant advantages in any role or industry that values interpersonal interaction and customer service.
These foundational skills pave the way for success and career fulfillment in any field requiring exceptional interpersonal interactions and client relations.
My internship was wonderful – almost no day was the same. As a result of this variety, I faced a lot of challenges, from having to learn how to conduct myself during sales sessions with clients to taking ownership of projects and leading in their organization.
Sabina Zamfirescu
Class 2023, Event Management, Exploratist
A successful career
A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from HIM opens doors to an illustrious career anywhere in the world. Our alumni span the globe, holding positions such as:
- Finance Manager at Procter & Gamble HQ, Switzerland
- Senior Relationship Manager at Wells Fargo Bank, Canada
- Web Marketing Manager at Microsoft, United States of America
- Cloud Partner Marketing Manager at Google, North America
Graduates from HIM benefit from a rapid career progression and are more likely to be hired in leadership roles. A degree from HIM, with its legacy in hospitality, generates multi-disciplinary skills beyond those offered in a traditional BBA degree. As business becomes more customer-centric, the HIM skill set is increasingly sought after in many sectors and make our graduates stand out.
Our internal surveys show that:
97%
OF OUR STUDENTS ARE HIRED UPON GRADUATION
90%
OF ALUMNI HOLD MANAGEMENT POSITIONS OR HAVE CREATED THEIR OWN COMPANY WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF GRADUATING
70%
OF ALUMNI WORK IN THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE SECTOR, INCLUDING BRAND MANAGEMENT AND TOURISM
30%
OF ALUMNI WORK IN THE SECTORS OF CONSULTANCY, EDUCATION, FINANCE OR HEALTHCARE
Advantages of hospitality in business
Our Business Administration degree, with its American business principles from Northwood University, combined with the Swiss hospitality legacy of HIM, is a unique diploma program. The business curriculum, from courses in economics to business law, is infused with hospitality ethos–as found in the World Cultures and Customs class–and the result is graduates who are versatile professionals. As a result, HIM graduates are well developed in the following areas:
- Adaptability and problem-solving
The curriculum, internships, and real-world business projects, in collaboration with industry partners, require adaptability and creative problem-solving, and develop the ability to think on one's feet – an invaluable soft skill in any professional context. - Emotional Intelligence
The core tenets of hospitality are based on the soft skills of emotional intelligence. The emphasis on these skills enables graduates to navigate and manage professional and social interactions and relationships effectively. - A client-centric mindset
The client-centric approach at HIM promotes excellence in business and builds a service mindset which is reflected in our graduates' commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of others – a key to success in any client-based profession.
This positions HIM graduates as preferred candidates, ready to excel in diverse professional environments and tackle challenges with grace and innovation.
Wherever there is a client, there is a need for hospitality
Claire Jollain
HIM Dean
Business thrives with hospitality
Today, hospitality skills are in demand across many industries, where its principles and practices have found new business applications, often in unexpected ways.
High-income and luxury businesses like John Paul, UBS, and Bulgari have long adopted hospitality practices in their sales and client relationships. However, no matter the business – a wellness clinic, investment consultancy, or a marketing agency – most business is client-based and good hospitality practices can build the client relationship and improve business.
Here are examples of industries applying hospitality in their business strategies:
- Event Management
Event management firms are applying hospitality practices in new ways with innovative services, personalized experiences, and a focus on attendee satisfaction across various types of events. From feedback and follow up to interactive entertainment, event management is more than coordination.
C2 Montréal is the pinnacle example of creative application of hospitality in an event, setting the bar for customer experience. Named best conference for four years running, it is the world's most forward-thinking business event. Attendees experience progressive, inspiring content in a festival-like setting, creating meaningful connections and driving business and societal progress. At C2, visitors become active participants ready to dive in. C2 is for businesses and individuals aiming to lead.
The Bachelor of Business Administration program prepares students for this career goal through classes such as Convention Management, Banqueting, and Events, offered in year two.
- Retail
Retailers of all genres are creating more engaging and personalized shopping options that improve the customer experience, encouraging longer visits and ultimately increasing sales.
Richemont Group infuses hospitality into their digital shopping experience and make it a priority to build community from the inside out, ultimately improving the customer experience.
Rolls-Royce takes luxury to the extreme with their bespoke services, allowing customers to customize nearly every aspect of their vehicle providing a highly personalized and exclusive service reminiscent of a bespoke tailor.
Nordstrom has long been known for incorporating high-quality dining experiences within their stores which allow customers to take a luxurious break without leaving the store resulting in increased time spent shopping.
Saks Fifth Avenue has integrated services like beauty and wellness clinics within their department stores, turning a shopping trip into a luxurious outing–and vice-versa.
Lululemon creates community by offering free fitness classes in their stores transforming their stores into a gathering place, building customer relationships and loyalty.
The Luxury Brand Management specialization in in the Bachelor of Business Administration program is designed for this career vision adding the required expertise needed in retail and customer relations.
- Real Estate
High-end real estate developers and property managers often incorporate hospitality elements to enhance the luxury living experience, differentiate their offerings, and attract discerning clients.
For example, Fifteen Hudson Yards in New York offers a full suite of in-house lifestyle services managed by a dedicated concierge team. The Ritz-Carlton Residences provide residents with amenities such as a private chef, in-residence dining, and personalized fitness training. Related Companies organizes events that entertain and offer networking opportunities for residents, enhancing their social and professional lives. Four Seasons Private Residences ensure that every aspect of the design and architecture serves to create a sense of place and luxury, often including interiors designed by renowned architects and designers.
Numerous HIM alumni now work in the real estate sector and found the Hospitality Management pathway in the Bachelor of Business Administration program good entry point to this career.
- Banking and Finance
Financial institutions are integrating hospitality to improve customer service from in-branch operations to online user interface experience online to improve customer satisfaction for retention.
For example, UBS offers bespoke advisory services that are akin to a personal concierge in a luxury hotel. HSBC has rolled out Premier Centers worldwide, which function similarly to airline business class lounges. Bank of America, recognizing the importance of convenience in hospitality, has invested heavily in its digital platforms to ensure a seamless user interface experience.
Thanks to the specialization in Advanced Strategies in Finance, with invaluable curricular support from Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild, many HIM alumni are now working in the banking and finance sector.
- Tech Industry
Tech companies are using hospitality principles to improve user experience. This can be seen in user interface design, customer support, and workplace environment.
Apple is an excellent example of tech employing hospitality to improve client satisfaction. From the birth of its easy user interface which launched its popularity, to the chic and hands-on retail store experience, to the Genius Bar concierge-style repair service, and their education platform, Today at Apple, the company puts the customer experience first in every regard.
The Qualtics X4 Summit serves to exemplify exactly what User Experience Research, the purpose of their software products, can offer and how it can be used to transform an event to one of the most impressive and memorable customer experiences.
The HIM BBA program prepares students for implementing hospitality in a tech driven world though classes such as Innovating with AI: Transforming Business and User Experience.
- Healthcare
Hospitals, wellness clinics, and silver economy services are adopting hospitality principles to improve patient care, satisfaction, and quality of life.
For example, the world-famous Mayo Clinic offers concierge services that provide patients and their families with travel, lodging, dining assistance, and information about local activities and services.
Le Mirador, in Switzerland, offers a well-rounded and medically-focused luxury well-being experience. Their flexible programs can be personalized, adjusted, or tailored to meet the clients specific needs.
Sunrise Senior Living provides personalized care plans and living environments that include activities and programs to enhance the quality of life for residents in a setting that feels more like a home than a healthcare facility.
These examples illustrate how hospitality principles are applied in healthcare and wellness, focusing on personalized care, comfort, and an enriching environment to improve the quality of life for patients and residents. As a result of this industry shift, the Hospitality Management pathway in in the Bachelor of Business Administration program aligns with this career vision.
Learning and Working with World Cultures
A hospitality degree prepares graduates to work in a globally connected world. It develops a profound understanding and respect for world cultures. The on-campus international experience acquired from a multinational student body and faculty teaches students first-hand to work effectively with individuals from various backgrounds preparing them to succeed in diverse and inclusive work environments. This preparation makes graduates invaluable in workplaces that operate across borders, ensuring they are equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global market with confidence and competence.
A career with a future
In an era where the future of work is being reshaped by technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the human touch of hospitality is becoming increasingly important and for those equipped with the right skills, a career with a future is a reality. Here’s why this hospitality integration at HIM is more relevant than ever:
- Essential Soft Skills in a Tech-Driven World
As AI and automation take on more tasks, the skills that distinguish us as humans – such as empathy, communication, and adaptability – become invaluable. In addition to the hard skills taught in the BBA curriculum, possessing the soft skills of hospitality ensures that you're prepared for a future where you are in high demand across all industries. - A satisfying career
One of the unique benefits of the hospitality element in the BBA program at HIM is the opportunity to hone a career that will be personally satisfying. Changing the objective in business from a money driven focus to a customer-centric focus gives opportunity for service excellence and customer satisfaction resulting in personal job satisfaction. When business and sales become intrinsically linked to client relationships, personal and financial reward is usually the result. - Specialized Paths for a Fast-Track Career
Business Administration is a general business degree; however, your career isn't one-size-fits-all. With career pathways in Management and Hospitality Management, combined with specializations in Luxury Brand Management, Advanced Strategies in Finance, and Talent Management, you can choose a path that aligns with your personal career goals. These specialized tracks are designed to equip you with the specific skills and knowledge needed to excel in your chosen area, setting you on a fast track to your dream job.
Choosing a BBA degree program with an emphasis in hospitality means investing in a future where your combined skill set is both relevant and essential. It's about securing a place in a workforce that values the human touch more than ever before. Whether you're drawn to the dynamic nature of hospitality or the broad applicability of its core skills, a BBA from HIM opens doors to a future filled with possibilities.
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