Question

1. Top management team at Hotel Sakura in Japan has decided to enter a new business by expanding into air transportation in year 2021. Assuming that you are an HR manager who is also a strategic partner of this organization. Which important HR practices/functions (provide at least three HR practices) will you emphasize in order to align these HR practices with corporate strategy and company growth? Please explain why you focus on these HR practices. (6 marks)

Answer 1

The hotel business would expand to the airline business by 2021. This means that the Japanese business would be extending its line in the sector services with some additions. Hence the HR practices are to be planned in a format that the business adheres to its principle of Hospitality in each of its sectors to merge into the new sector as well. The Hotel Sukura has to evolve the manpower such that they are comfortable in air and land to serve. The policies for this shall have:

• Recruitment and training: The recruitment has to be done for the people which would be the same for the ground the flight for which the new recruitment and the training have to encompass those for both old and new employees. The aviation may need some inputs which the ground staff would need or the hotel staff flying the services on the flight should know has to be made evident for all to be ready for the new venture. This would also include the diversification of the workforce for the new venture as well.

• Communication and skills for diversity: The skills of the people have to be enhanced which would need the people to have the needed skills for a diversity of people. The skills of the people of diversity and their need are to be understood. This would be brought forth by the people who have the diversity and skills for the best communication and diversity management both at the hotel and in flight. The people and region-wise language understanding or the universal codes and various faiths are to be understood. The diversity of the manpower and the various training for the business henceforth is to be experienced.

• The Flight and Operations: The Flight operations need a close look into the venture which shall direct the operations. This would mean the entire people of the staff role have to be trained with the new aspect to make the manpower be adequately trained with flight services. The operations and the flight services are to be known by all as there would be a great need for staff knowledge about the new line.