I'm Maurits Bots, 41 springs young 😊, father of 2, and I enjoy working on automation in the broadest sense. Not just computers and software, but also process optimization, working smarter by working differently, and broadening the focus to what does work and what is possible, rather than getting stuck on what isn't.

How did you end up at WestCord Hotels?

A former colleague from a previous employer had moved to WestCord, and a vacancy had opened up at WestCord City Centre that he thought would suit me. That triggered me to at least have the conversation. A few weeks later, I got the chance to show what I could do.

You started as General Manager at WestCord City Centre Hotel and now work as Hotel ICT Specialist. How did that transition come about?

During Covid, and everything that did (or didn't) happen back then, I took the time to really look at what I enjoy, what gives me energy, and which tasks and traits that come with a job I still wanted, and which I didn't. That resulted in a list, and although I didn't yet have a clear picture of what the job should be, it was clear to me that it was no longer the role of General Manager. I've always discussed these wishes openly and honestly with my family. When my predecessor in the ICT role left, the opportunity opened up for me to fill that position, exactly the way I envisioned it for myself.

How do you explain your role to someone who knows nothing about ICT?

My job title is Hotel ICT Operations. I work for the hotel company, whether that's one local hotel or the chain as a whole, and I use ICT (information and communication technology) to make things more workable, efficient, and effective for the operation. I'm a bridge between the company and the operation, between hotels, and between departments. That mostly happens through systems, which is why I stay involved in everything they're working on.

That "thing" can really be anything. Sometimes it's a simple process that isn't running smoothly, which we solve by optimizing and restructuring it through a system. But there are also situations where I simply point out that another hotel has faced the same problem before, and solved it, possibly even without automation.

Which hotel experiences help you most in your ICT role now?

The best part of my hotel experience is that I immediately understand what an employee from the operation means, even if they have no idea how something works, or "what it's called in ICT terms." When an employee wants to solve something, they don't need to look up the jargon; they just tell me what it is, and I do the translation myself.

It's also very helpful for them that I can accurately judge urgency. Some stalled processes can easily simmer for a day or two, but if, for example, payments can't be processed, I immediately pull out all the stops.

How would colleagues describe you?

I hope they'd describe me as a fun, easygoing guy, someone with a lot of knowledge and an (almost) always cheerful presence.

Which ICT project within WestCord are you most proud of?

Right now, I'm most proud of the steps we've taken in cyber awareness. As an organization, we're constantly under attack, for example through phishing via email or messaging services. But data security combined with AI also brings a lot of pitfalls, and I try to guide our organization through that: identifying, training, and managing it.

What would you still like to develop further?

We're making huge strides in workplace management with Microsoft 365. There's a lot possible there that we're not yet fully using, and that's an area I'd really like to dive deeper into.

What makes you feel at home here?

I'm well aware that I'm in a special position, since I already had that same freedom as General Manager. But every day feels to me like I can do what I want to do. I'm entrepreneurial, testing things out, trying things. I'm falling and getting back up, always within the safe environment of the company, without being watched over or stuck in a fixed routine. Every day is different because every hotel is different, and because I get to move between them, I can constantly find the best bits. Of course there are days when I "have to" do something, but I choose my own agenda, priorities, and projects.

If you could be someone else in one of the hotels for a day, who would you choose and why?

I've had the chance to experience nearly every role or position in a hotel throughout my career, to some degree. The most important one, and also the most underrated in my experience, is that of housekeeping supervisor. I know automation offers more and more opportunities, for example for colleagues doing administrative work, and it can give on-demand knowledge to the employee standing at the table, helping them give even better dinner recommendations. But at the end of the day, it's still the housekeeping supervisor who carries the responsibility on the floor for making sure that room is spotless again for the next guest. We can automate as much as we want, but if that room isn't physically cleaned (and perhaps in the future with the help of robots), it can't be sold.

What would you say to someone hesitant about working at WestCord Hotels?

"Definitely have the conversation." Figure out for yourself what you're looking for, and ask the questions that matter to you. Read up on it (for example through this blog), but don't get too fixated on it. And experience the product: come have a bite to eat with us and get a feel for the atmosphere. Maybe even stay the night, and experience how we treat you.