‘With practice, one improves’

Manish Tolani may not be very old, but he has managed to climb up the corporate ladder quickly. He tells us the secret of his success

Manish Tolani, at 28 years of age, is director of the sales and marketing division of JW Marriott, Mumbai. During his tenure there, Manish has been conferred with the Special Leadership Award for the APAC region in 2007 and 2008 consecutively. He tells us how he climbed up the ladder at such a fast pace.

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Were you always interested in sales and marketing?
I started out in the hospitality sector, in which I had done my graduation. Work experience in the field led me to understand the requirements to grow in this field. I would say that working with the right kind of companies is the reason why I was able to head sales and marketing so soon.

Tell us about your past work experience?
I have been in the field for seven years now. Initially I was with the Oberoi hotels and resorts group. There, I integrated strategy and execution that led to growth for that organisation. After a period of two years, I joined the Marriot group.

Give us a rough outline of what your job is like.
My responsibilities include organising and directing all sales and marketing efforts towards achievement of objectives and operational goals for the property; enhancing talent in the team, serving as a member of the executive committee, fostering a co-operative work environment and maximising productivity.

Do you think the academic curriculum in universities and colleges equips one with the right skills required on the job?
Definitely. Basic educational background helps. But in my case, experience in the hospitality sector helped. One needs to have an aptitude and inclination to do a job like this. It is only with practice that one gets better.