Yeoh Siew Hoon (www.thetransitcafe.com) scans the reaction from the hotel community to the news of Patrick Imbardelli’s fall from grace.
The news of Patrick Imbardelli’s resignation from InterContinental Hotels Group sent shock waves throughout the closely-knit hotelier community in Asia/Pacific, if not triggering off a frenzy of CV-checking.
From Cairo to Canberra, hoteliers exchanged emails, and traded comments. Words like “embarrassing”, “shocking”, “wow” and “what a scandal” were fired in cyberspace as news spread like wildfire, as it does in today’s world of communications.
Imbardelli was a high-profile, high flyer and his meteoric rise to the top of IHG’s operations in Asia Pacific had been closely watched, perhaps even envied.
He has been described in various circles by various people as “driven”, “ambitious”, “a young man in a hurry” and “smart”, and there are those who wonder if his downfall was the result of a whistle-blower, someone whose toes he stepped on, on his ascent to the top.
At 46, he was one of the youngest hotel CEOs in the region and he ran a network of 188 hotels which accounts for approximately 10% of hotels operating profit before central costs, according to the company’s website.
He knew his way round the hotel world in Asia, and he was always accessible to the media. He was at ease with journalists and he handled press conferences with polish, always staying true to his corporate persona, rarely straying far from the company line.
His youthful looks could disarm as his smooth words could charm.
In short, he was the cover boy of the hotel corporate world. Which is why the fall to disgrace, when it came as swiftly and spectacularly as it did, shocked everyone.
The responses Transit Café received were varied. Some were very clear – he lied, and therefore he had to leave. Others were just appalled and shocked. Some were sympathetic, expressing concern for him, his wife and their two young children, aged two and four.
Jennie Chua, of Raffles Hotels’ fame, said in the Straits Times: “His performance must have impressed his peers and superiors for him to have risen to where he is. He must have been doing something right. After all, InterContinental is a huge group, and it must be in no shortage of capable people. That said, the company must have viewed this as a question of integrity.”
Strong expressions of support for Imbardelli can be found in the forum on ehotelier.
• “Yes he may have been forced to quit over his CV, however I work with IHG and his success speaks far louder than this. He has been a great leader for the region and will be definitely hard shoes to fill.”
• “… universities named should confer him with the Honorary Degree he deserves now. Especially VictoriaUniversity when they published in their alumni news letter promoting the success story of Patrick Imbardelli some years back.”
• “Having a degree doesn't matter these days. It’s experience that matters. If the man has been doing the job well, then I don't think he should be sacked. I feel sorry for him and his family.
• “If the man was good at his job, great to work for and got the job done, what does it matter that he didn't have letters after his name?! Pleease!”
• “The man has done much for Bass plc and InterContinental Group and is recognised for his contributions to the hospitality and tourism industry in Asia Pacific. Let's acknowledge that rather than worrying how many letters is missing after his name.”
There were those however who were less sympathetic.
“Obviously, his achievements at Interconti speak for themselves but when the foundation of your success is built on a lie, you are on a very shaky ground indeed and there is no excuse.”
Others questioned the company’s action.
“… how come it took Interconti so long to find out. If it speaks volumes of their work ethics, it does not say much about their hiring tactics. ”
In the Straits Times report, IHG’s regional spokesman, Birte Sebastian, said IHG has launched a review of the CV of its “directors and senior executives” across its global offices.
Said one hotelier, “You can also bet every hotelier will be reviewing their CVs after this.”
In the ehotelier forum, one post said, “… this guy will bounce back and (for) sure his CV will be correct this time.”
For now, Imbardelli is not talking to anyone. A report in the Straits Times on Saturday said “a voice over the intercom at his Rochalie Drive residence said he did not wish to talk to anyone”.
Imbardelli, a man resigned to his fate
No comments:
Post a Comment