Page 47 - Early Winter 2014

technology, snowsports, food and beverage, and obvious potential led to a promotion as director guest service research and action planning serve all of ski and snowboard school with co-management three resorts. “These assignments allow us to tap into responsibility for the summer Adventure Park. their passion and keep them excited” as they build Sunflower also coordinates the company’s process relationships and assist in operations at the three improvement initiative, another “real big something resorts, Fairbank says. to own” assignment. Fairbank, who also serves as president of Jiminy Peak, says he personally focuses on performance Balancing Top-Down, Bottom-Up expectations and soft skills identified in the 360 eval- Development uations of his direct reports, selected managers, and Mike Solimano, president and general manager of selected “up and comers” at the three resorts. The Vermont’s Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, has 360 feedback is gathered on a survey that is answered good suggestions for how to incorporate professional anonymously and confidentially by the direct reports growth opportunities for everyone—from entry-level and colleagues of individuals to identify strengths talent to senior leadership. and opportunities for improvement. This feedback “Large or small, it’s a challenge to offer enough provides data for gap analysis (actual versus desired opportunity,” he says, referring to the contrast of performance) that helps management assess develop- providing opportunities at a mega resort like the ment needs and a readiness timeline. “Beast of the East” with its sister resort, Pico, famous Fairbank looks at the individual’s technical skill for the personal touch of a smaller mountain experi- level, budget capabilities, and whether he or she can ence. To address the issue, management encourages manage an operation. He also stresses the impor- job enrichment through lateral movement. tance of giving developing leaders what he calls “a Having experienced the turnover of four lodging real big something to own” when they are ready. One directors in as many years, Solimano recently looked such example is former assistant marketing manager to the seasoned, highly successful F&B director for Burleigh Sunflower at Bromley Mountain, whose the two areas, Scott Harrison, to absorb and lead the Visit us on Facebook Lean back and relax. With SKIDATA you are always one step ahead. For more than 35 years, SKIDATA has been helping clients increase UHYHQXHV DQG RSWLPL]H EXVLQHVV SURFHVVHV ZLWK ÜH[LEOH DQG FXVWRPL]DEOH products to improve guest convenience, reduce labor and fraud while PD[LPL]LQJ UHVRUW SURÛWDELOLW\ &XVWRPL]H \RXU VROXWLRQ ZLWK 6.,'$7$ www.skidat a.com EARLY WINTER 2014 | NSAA Journal | 45 w w w.nsaa. org NSAA Early Winter 2014 prepressed v5b.indd 45 10/29/14 6:08 PM