Sarbendra Sarkar

Managing Director & Founder, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd

 
 
Years of working in the industry, your contribution reflects versatility and volubility. What has influenced your decision-making process at various stages?
I have over 24 years of diversified experience in Hospitality Management, having worked with leading hotel groups like IHG, ITC Hotels, Starwood Hotels, Marriott and Louvre Hotel group. My foray into the industry has benefited me to achieve the right attitude and passion, which has helped me to take the right decision at right time. The hotel industry is one such industry where you require lot of versatility as people from every field works here. I have always been motivated by the need to learn all I can about the status quo in order to change it.
 
A project or an accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career?
While functioning as RD of Louvre Hotels I have refined many projects in India.  Each project gave me different learning experience. After I launched my company Cygnett hotels it gave me the feeling of an entrepreneur & motivated me to move forward in this alleyway.
I realized the future lies in the franchised-and-managed model of hotel industry. We have seen tremendous success to its implementation.
 
How do you integrate corporate philanthropy or corporate social responsibility as a part of your business strategies?
Corporate social responsibility is more than a PR requirement for me and I view my company as an instrument of social welfare that supports the preservation of the natural environment and local culture and heritage. We have incorporated many standards and principles to enforce this vision. From ensuring accessibility for all to putting in practice progressive and effective environment protection measures on a macro level through the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions and green building practices and on a micro level through daily actions including recycling, water and electricity saving measures, rewarding environment protecting initiatives taken by suppliers and vendors etc.

In addition to the conservation of our natural environment, we work to protect and support local communities and cultures. We donate to local charities and participate in community initiatives and we also do all we can to promote local services and encourage our guests to understand and appreciate the rich and varied cultural heritage of the areas in which our hotels are present.
 
What has been your driving force or philosophy in life?
My passion is “Dare to dream; over dream to do” my intention of life is whatever I do along with me should facilitate others also to escort a better, more contented & improved life.
I have always been one to challenge the established order, not for the sake of rebellion but to seek improvement, efficiency and excellence.
 
What are the other philanthropic works you are involved in?
Please fill in.
I work for Mother Teresa Foundation and ISKCON Food Relief Fund.
 
How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
Success brings unremitting  growth in life. Overcoming each confront a day and to live endeavoring legacy of life brings  great amount of smugness  for your creations, accomplishment and bequest with no lament .
For me success is defined by the extent to which one has added value, whether it is to a single life or to society as a whole. I believe myself to be far from successful because I have yet to do a lot more to fulfill my role as a contributor to the society.
 
We are constantly making things better, faster, smarter or less expensive. In other words, we strive to do more with less. Tell me about a recent project or solution to a problem that you have made better, faster, smarter or less expensive?
Cygnett Hotels as a whole is a company that is geared towards improving upon the existing state of hospitality. All our brands seek to redefine in  every categories they are placed. We pay special attention on design optimization, value engineering and cost management. For eg: project of Yang Yang in Sikkim is a luxurious resort, we are using most advanced technology, pre-casted steel structure to construct the resort, with very minimum cost and time.
 
In your opinion what is the most significant aspect of leadership?
I had always thought that leadership was mostly about having a greater vision and ambition. Over the years I realized that leadership is actually about :-

1. How to make superfluous ordinary things ensue in the organization.
2. Helping people to accomplish their goal.
3. Making people to delusion their future and motivate them.
4. Leadership sets their paradigm and traditions that enthuse others to intend it.

 
Your perception of an empowered society. How far your industry has / can contribute for the same?
An empowered society is a free society. Real freedom is an individual’s right to seek fulfillment in whatever way he/she considers appropriate without causing harm to another.  By Providing Employment for the new generation. Introducing Skill Development for under privileged people can extent up their dexterity and get an opportunity of employment.
Our industry promotes freedom by providing employment to many men and women.
 
How are you actualizing strategies for product and process improvement?
It is very important for me to personally seek out the flaws in my own creations, product or process. My team identify the gaps that can guide us to. Unremitting innovation, exploration and expansion enhances the product with new gaze, offering attractive schemes will help the product to be smoother in processing . Design optimization and space management create a more efficient hotel. We always encourage guests’ honest feedback.
 
How do you see the market 5 years down the line?
Despite the fact that the Indian market at present is volatile yet India is a heterogeneous market today. India will excel no doubt, but currently India is looking for intensification in mid-market / continue in mid-segment and more of rational investors will come forward to invest in hotel business in near future. In global market, some of the country like Srilanka, Thailand, Cambodia are the great destination & will continue to grow in the market.
 
PERSONAL GRID:
 
One thing you wish to change and one thing you wish to retain about your industry?
“Warmness of human touch” I wish it retains in industry, because today the whole lot is done through technology or machines but the feeling and warmness that comes from human being cannot be replaced. “Taxation and License policy” of government I wish it could have been smoother.
 
One thing you have to let go off as an entrepreneur/leader?
At a certain point of time we should just overlook the loss happened to the company due to the negligence or human error of a loyal and honest employee of the company.
 
Whom do you owe your success?
I am inspired by the biography of Bill Marriot . His hard work and passion to do things differently in life; and the core value he created for his company has motivated me to aim forward.
 
Best thing about your job?
Creating employee helping people to earn their bread & butter and respect for themselves in the society. Helping in a small manner in economic growth of my country and serving global people.
 
 A message from you to all the future entrepreneurs/Leaders?
Dream big, aim big and have passion , patience, honesty & hard work in your kitty to make your dream turn into reality.