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At the Abernethy, like any large establishment, key departments are set up to carry out specific tasks. However, it goes without saying that all these teams must work together to keep the high standards of the Abernethy Hotel intact.
I spoke to some of the staff at the Abernethy hotel about their roles as part of the Abernethy Hotel team.
 As the manager of the food and beverage department, Bevan is responsible for running all the hotels food and beverage outlets such as the café, coffee shops, restaurant, bars and fine dining room. He has a supervisory role over all outlets, each one having its own staff and manager.
He also operates the hotels banqueting and convention facilities. His department must liaise with the maintenance department for audio-visual and sound equipment, and with the housekeeping department for clean table linen, uniforms and general cleaning of all eating and banqueting rooms.
Additionally, the food and beverage department also includes the kitchen or food production department, which is responsible for the purchase and production of all food required in the café, coffee shops, restaurant, fine dining room and staff canteen.
The entry positions available in this department include food and beverage assistants, kitchen hands, kitchen trainees and stewarding positions.
Hannah looks after the housekeeping department. She is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the hotel. Doesn't sound much, does it? But this department, like those in most establishments, is the biggest in the hotel, with the largest staff complement, and a team of contract cleaners.
 It's this department's job to make sure that all guest rooms are spotlessly clean, as well as public areas of the hotel. You will appreciate that there would be a large volume of work to do in a hurry, as all rooms and areas in the establishment are needed on a frequent and regular basis, so rapid and efficient co-ordination with the front office is essential.
"While it's easy for me to say that my department is the biggest and most important, and that if we don't function efficiently the place would fall apart, I know that it's also true that if any one of the other departments doesn't function efficiently the place would still fall apart. The clear message is that if we don't work together as a tight team we won't be successful, and we won't stay in business."
The entry positions in my department include guest services/room attendant and house person.
 Sue from the sales and marketing department is responsible for promoting the good name of the hotel, and to generate business. Sales and marketing representatives are constantly trying to form links and joint ventures with other corporations and business chains to generate extra business.
Sue and her team make sure that they plan promotions to capitalise on those special occasions during the year, such as New Year and Christmas. Sue points out that they are quick to seize upon any one-off events that may occur. "It's called taking opportunities when they present. On each of these occasions I design special packages of accommodation, food and beverage at attractively discounted rates."
The sales and promotional department must keep in constant touch with other departments to check that guarantees made to clients have been fulfilled to their satisfaction.
 Michael is the general manager of one of the Abernethy hotels. The management department are responsible for the smooth, efficient and cost-effective operation of the hotel as an entity in its own right. Michael looks upon the hotel as a small self-contained village, and considers clients as residents of the village, even if only for one day.
One of Michael's major objectives is to make the best profit for shareholders, but he believes that the only way we can do that is by making sure that all customers are completely satisfied with the product and service. "I insist on all our staff taking great care to listen to any complaint, criticism or suggestion made by any guest or visitor".
Michael's department try to employ only the best and most experienced staff, and have a policy of intensive staff training particularly aimed at the hotel's requirements.
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Fiona is responsible for the efficient operation of the front office of the hotel.
 The front office is the public face of most hospitality establishments. It's the place customers first look for and approach on entering. It is the reception area and the staff performs the duties associated with reservations, reception, cashiering, concierge and telephone.
"We feel that the front office is the heart of our hotel, and it's probably the same for all establishments".
The front office generates and co-ordinates the workload for many other departments.
The entry positions in this department include reservations clerk, switchboard operator, receptionist and porter.
 Freeda is in charge of the finance department. Her main responsibility is to balance the hotel's accounts. The department has two major sections - the accounts receivable and the accounts payable sections - and they also set and approve all financial budgets for staff planning, provision of new equipment and the main establishment supplies.
Freeda's department liaises with all other departments.
The employees in this department consist of accountants, night auditors, payroll clerks and cost control personnel.
It is Hal's job to look after the human resources department. This department is one which has a major role in any establishment, regardless of type, and the bigger the establishment the bigger the human resources department.
 The human resource department is responsible for implementing policies and procedures related to anything involving staff and their working environment. Such things include advertising for, interviewing and selecting new staff, accepting resignations or dismissing current staff, organizing training, and assisting staff with various queries.
The human resources department liaises with all other departments on a regular basis.
Gayle from the gaming department runs the hotel's casino.
 Gayle's department must liaise with the food and beverage, housekeeping, security and finance departments for support services. The large gaming room at the hotel must be regularly and scrupulously cleaned. All the gaming attendants have uniforms. The patrons must be efficiently supplied with food and drink on request. There are occasional arguments and drunk or unruly patrons which requires the presence of security, and there is always a lot of cash in the room.
 Murray's department look after providing rapid and efficient maintenance throughout the entire hotel complex.
This department has to work very closely with the housekeeping and front office departments, to get repairs done in the right order for guest rooms to be available.
Depending on the size and type of establishment, you may find the maintenance department needing the services of other people like upholsterers, carpenters, engineers and plumbers, as well as gardeners and ground staff.
 Stan is senior security officer at the hotel. His department is responsible for keeping all the company's property secure. Apart from all the mechanical locks and grilles on doors, windows, vents and external gates, they also maintain an electronic system of access and observation which is very tight.
Stan's department must ensure the security and safety of all our employees and guests. In a big hotel this is a very large and important task, and unfortunately it's becoming increasingly so.
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