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In this exclusive, Area GM Danny Tse talks about the importance of highlighting the stories of team members, and percolating the philosophy that "every narrative matters".
To celebrate the dedication and passion that employees bring to their roles, Hong Kong-based luxury boutique hotel Lanson Place Causeway Bay has recently launched the ‘Lanson Craftsmen series’ to highlight the stories of its team members.
The series has featured five colleagues from different departments (pictured above), each excelling in areas such as culinary arts, innovative solutions to everyday challenges, personalised service, sustainability, and mixology. Through these stories, the company aims to convey to the team that every narrative matters and every effort contributes to the unique Lanson experience for its guests.
Danny Tse, Area General Manager, Lanson Place Causeway Bay, tells HRO’s Tracy Chan in an exclusive that the stories shared in the series resonate with the company’s HR values, emphasising its belief in prioritising attitude over skills.
“While skills can be taught, attitude is what truly sets individuals apart,” Tse asserts.
“The portraits of our craftsmen reflect both professionalism and joy, always accompanied by warm smiles. This spirit aligns with our brand ethos, ‘Your Place Lanson Place’, which signifies not just a hotel at which guests can stay, but a nurturing environment where our staff can thrive, feel valued, and genuinely enjoy their work.”
“For potential employees, we hope these stories inspire them and show that Lanson Place is a rewarding place to work,” he adds.
Recognition matters
Sharing on the key to attracting, engaging, and retaining employees in today's competitive talent landscape, Tse agrees that recognition plays a crucial role.
As such, the company recognises outstanding performance every quarter by selecting four to five colleagues as Employees of the Quarter, as well as recognising a Manager of the Year and multiple Trainers of the Year.
Besides internally, employees will also be nominated for third-party awards. For example, two colleagues have been recently honoured at the Good Employee Recognition Campaign by the Labour Department.
“When we announce awardees, we share their stories to inspire others and reinforce a culture of recognition,” Tse elaborates.
“It is incredibly rewarding to witness their surprise and pride as they share the news with family and friends. We believe in giving credit where it is due, not just on special, formal occasions. This approach has significantly boosted employee morale and sustained high performance within our team.”
Employee wellbeing and benefits
In addition to acknowledgement, the company also prioritises employee wellbeing and offers an attractive remuneration package alongside a range of benefits and gestures to support its people.
These include:
- five-day working weeks; 17 public holidays; an eight-hour workday with a one-hour meal break for all staff, and voluntary contributions to employees’ Mandatory Provident Fund
- an annual reimbursement of HK$500 for birthday gifts, HK$800 for wedding and newborn gifts, as well as HK$3,000 for staff members who achieve 100% attendance in the previous year to purchase wellbeing-related products
- a training subsidy of HK$20,000 per person to support employees’ professional growth and career development
- retirement rewards
- festive treats during Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Dragon Boat Festival
To further enhance team cohesion, the company organises activities that encourage participation, such as packing meal boxes for underprivileged individuals, conducting recycled banner workshops, undertaking fundraising hikes, and visiting mangroves.
“These activities provide opportunities for cross-team collaboration, foster teamwork, and serve an educational purpose, particularly on ESG topics,” Tse highlights.
Recognising the challenge of ensuring participation from the entire team given the business nature, the company also provides thoughtful gifts for everyone to enjoy at home, showing care not just for colleagues, but also for their family members.
“For instance, we offered manicure sets to all our staff members, allowing colleagues to either use them themselves or gift them to important people in their lives. For this year's Mother’s Day, we distributed Meridian combs to all staff as well,” Tse shares.
Building a thriving environment
The successful implementation of all these initiatives can be attributed to an open-door policy that encourages open communication.
“Our HR team is approachable and ready to listen, whether colleagues wish to share their experiences or simply have a casual chat,” Tse states.
Understanding some colleagues may prefer to share their thoughts anonymously, the company has therefore launched the ‘All Things Matter’ initiative. Colleagues can submit suggestions through QR codes on posters in communal areas, either anonymously or with their names attached.
“Thanks to this initiative, we have successfully addressed various concerns raised by staff,” Tse continues.
“We strive to be like a supportive parent, ensuring that every team member feels valued and understood in his or her role.”
As Lanson Place transitions from traditional human resources management to a focus on people and cultural development, enhancing the employee experience is at the forefront of its strategies.
“Our aim is to create a workplace that not only attracts talent but also fosters a sense of belonging and engagement among all staff members,” Tse affirms.
“We aspire to adopt more robust diversity and inclusion policies that reflect the varied backgrounds and perspectives of our team. We believe that embracing diversity will enhance creativity and innovation within our workplace, ultimately leading to improved guest experiences.”
Lanson Craftsmen extra: Danny Tse
After sharing the inspiring stories from the team, as an additional note, Tse also shares his passion for supporting and developing employees, empowering them to realise their full potential.
“I strive to offer personalised support and expose opportunities that create a motivated workforce, helping individuals achieve their career aspirations,” he says.
Building a strong and cohesive team through teamwork and open communication, ensuring that everyone feels understood and valued, nurturing a culture of collaboration, and promoting a diverse and inclusive environment, are key focuses for Tse.
“My vision is to build a workforce that embodies the spirit of Lanson Place, where our team truly represents the culture and values of the brand. I envision a workplace where our people live by these values, creating an authentic connection with our guests and enhancing their experiences,” he concludes.
Through my passion and vision, I am committed to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive, ultimately driving the success of Lanson Place Causeway Bay.
All photos / Provided
(Lead image from L-R: Chris Leung, Executive Chef; Christine Wong, Uniform and Linen Supervisor; Jin Yoo, Chief Concierge; Jordan Wong, Cluster Director of Engineering; and Manuel Saavedra, Head Mixologist, featured in the Lanson Craftsmen series)
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