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Ms. Debra Wright: A Bridge Between Jinling And The World
As Hilton and Shangari-la were leaving Nanjing, Ms. Debra Wright arrived at the invitation of Jinling Holdings Ltd. She has 15 year’s sales/marketing experience combined with traveling all over the world, for business and pleasure. Discussing international hotel chains, Ms. Wright said: “I have worked with several hotel chains. In my opinion, they are still learning how to do business in China, incorporating the culture. So, being contracted as business consultant for Jinling, I have much pressure. I feel I am a bridge between here and the world. I am helping Jinling to globalize, while at the same time, helping the world know more about Jinling.”
Quality is the Essence of High-End Hotels
Before coming to Nanjing, Ms. Wright worked in sales, marketing and management with Knoll International Inc., Lineal Group Inc., Sealy Inc., and Pergoman Ltd, well-known companies both in America and abroad.
Knoll International Inc., Lineal Group Inc. and Sealy Inc. are all considered to be luxury manufacturers with a global customer base. They service corporate and hospitality markets all over the world. Pergoman Ltd., independently owned, focuses on consulting, asset protection and capital investments (U.S. and internationally).
Ms. Wright said: “During the last 15 years, I’ve been working with world-famous hotel chains.” She took Sealy Inc. as an example, “Sealy is contracted by Four Seasons, Sheraton, Hyatt Regency, Omni and many other high-end hotel chains. These top brand hotels place quality as a top priority. They would rather pay more to receive more. They value longer life and providing more value to their guests in both comfort and appearance. They have higher standards and will not compromise in order to retain these levels. They have a reputation to maintain.” Ms. Wright added: “Those hotels have their own designer and purchasing departments. When you successfully negotiate with them, they regard you as their partner and advisor. You create specified products for their hotels all over the world. Everything is based on quality, design, leadtime and pricing.”
Involving Jinling Into the Global Equation
Hospitality news, trends, standards and forecasts are constantly scanned by hoteliers, suppliers and hospitality consultants for new updates. Although in China, Ms. Wright keeps informed reading several industry publications online daily. She said: “Hotels Magazine is one of my favorites due to their comprehensive coverage, both US and internationally. Their information is easy to review and their Hotel Giants 300 is regarded highly. I am glad to see Chinese hotels included in this review and impressed to hear that Jinling Hotel was recently contacted and considered before my arrival.” Ms. Wright expressed that this is also one reason why she considered the invitation from Jinling Holdings Ltd. She considers China-based Jinling Hotel to be world-class.
Ms. Wright told us that although she does not get pressure from Jinling Holdings Ltd, she still places much pressure on herself. She said: “I have visited and studied many foreign countries, however I did not know much China before coming here. If I do not use this opportunity to further my knowledge on “everything China” it will be to my loss.” From the moment she arrived in Nanjing last December, Ms. Debra Wright has been visiting Jinling member hotels and resorts (located all over China), Jinling’s budget Jin’s Inn hotels, Jinling Holdings Ltd real estate developments and other Jinling managed retail operations. While understanding Jinling’s business culture she has also attempted learning Chinese and connecting with Chinese culture. Her goal is to bridge both Western and Eastern cultures. From there she will be instrumental in influencing Jinling’s sales/marketing, central reservations, Elite Program and online sourcing system to become active participants globally.