🍳 Work Process:

• Cooking was primarily done using wood-fired or charcoal stoves, which required more time and effort

• All food preparation, including chopping, grinding, and kneading, was done manually

• There were no electric kitchen appliances; everything relied on traditional methods

📖 Management:

• Ingredients were measured based on experience rather than precise calculations

• Record-keeping was done by hand in notebooks, with no standardized inventory system

• Food supplies were often limited and controlled by rationing policies

🍲 Meals:

• Simple, frugal meals based on government rationing, with staple foods like rice, vegetables, tofu, and small portions of meat or fish

• Cooking large quantities of food required careful planning to ensure fairness and sufficiency

Stepping into a C-level role in the hospitality industry means navigating diverse teams, and one of the most dynamic groups to lead today is Gen Z. They bring a mix of creativity, digital fluency, and an intense work ethic, but they can also be chaotic, unstructured, and resistant to rigid hierarchies. Having worked with them, I’ve learned a few key lessons on how to harness their strengths while managing their challenges.

What Makes Gen Z Unique?

1. Hardworking but Purpose-Driven
   Unlike previous generations who value stability, Gen Z thrives on meaning and impact. If they understand why they’re doing something, they’ll give it their all. However, they disengage quickly if they feel tasks are repetitive or pointless.

2. Creativity with a Non-Traditional Approach
   GenZ excel at problem-solving but often reject standard operating procedures. Their creativity can be an asset in guest experiences, marketing, and service improvement.

3. Fast Learners but Easily Overwhelmed
   Gen Z absorbs information quickly, but their multitasking nature sometimes leads to burnout. They also struggle with prioritization.
   .

4. Need for Instant Feedback and Flexibility
   GenZ dislike waiting weeks for performance reviews. Instead, they appreciate real-time feedback and a balance between work and personal life.
   Tip: Create a culture of frequent check-ins and recognize achievements.

Structured Schedule for Managing Gen Z in Hospitality

This schedule helps balance leadership, communication, and execution while addressing Gen Z’s need for direction and engagement.

Morning: Setting the Tone

• 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Daily Briefing & Task Assignment

  • Gather the team for a quick stand-up meeting.

  • Outline priorities with clear, time-bound goals.

  • Use visual task boards (Trello, Notion) for organization.

  • Assign roles but allow flexibility in execution.

• 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Operations Oversight & Coaching

  • Observe workflows and identify inefficiencies.

  • Engage with the team and provide real-time feedback.

  • Encourage a mix of autonomy and structure.

• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Problem-Solving & Innovation Check-in

  • Host a brief brainstorming session on service improvements.

  • Encourage Gen Z team members to present new ideas.

  • Assign ownership for execution with accountability measures.

Afternoon: Execution & Development

• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Guest Experience & Crisis Handling

  • Monitor guest feedback in real-time.

  • Address service gaps with a focus on guest satisfaction.

  • Delegate responsibilities to Gen Z leaders for problem resolution.

• 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Training & Upskilling Sessions

  • Provide skill-based micro-learning (e.g., handling VIP guests, digital marketing, sustainability initiatives).

  • Use interactive formats like role-playing and gamification.

• 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | One-on-One Check-ins & Recognition

  • Have brief check-ins with high-potential team members.

  • Acknowledge their strengths and guide them on career progression.

Evening: Wrapping Up & Reflection

• 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Debrief & Performance Review

  • Review key performance indicators (KPIs) for the day.

  • Address challenges and set action plans for improvement.

• 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Team Engagement & Motivation

  • End the day on a positive note with informal conversations.

  • Celebrate small wins and encourage a supportive culture.

Final Thoughts

To lead Gen Z effectively, balance structure with flexibility. They thrive in environments that provide clear expectations, purpose-driven work, and regular feedback. The key is to harness their creativity while ensuring they stay organized and accountable. By implementing structured workflows with room for innovation, my sister can turn Gen Z’s chaotic energy into a driving force for hospitality excellence.

Technological Advancements:

• Oil and gas stoves replaced wood and charcoal stoves, cutting down on smoke and cooking time.

• The invention of manual grinders and pressure cookers to make food preparation simpler.

Food Management: Proper nutrition was ensured by more organized meal preparation, and stable ingredient availability was guaranteed by improved supply chains.

Dietary Changes:

• There are now more protein sources available, such as fish, poultry, and eggs.

• Tighter regulations pertaining to food safety and hygiene were implemented.

- At 47, my grandmother retired after years as a chef at the police facility. She adapted from wood and charcoal stoves to modern cooking. Retirement let her focus on herself, family, and personal interests. Her passion for cooking remained

1. Market Conditions

The Vietnamese economy was growing fast, driven by increased foreign investment after joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007.

With rising property prices and strong demand for land, housing, and commercial spaces, real estate was booming.

Speculation was common, with many investors buying properties to resell at higher prices.

2. Technology Most companies still rely on face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and physical paperwork rather than digital tools.

Limited online presence: Websites and digital marketing were not as common as today, and most transactions were done in person.

3. Challenges

High risk of property bubbles: Many companies made speculative investments that later became unstable.

Regulatory uncertainty: Policies were changing frequently, creating risks for investors and developers.

4. Opportunities

High commission potential: Successful agents and investors could make significant profits.

Growing foreign investment: More foreign developers and investors entered Vietnam, creating new opportunities. Urbanization & infrastructure projects: Government projects led to increased demand for real estate development.

Interviewee: My grandma

Occupation: Journalist ~ >15 years

Used to study at Russia

>20 years experience with newspapers and journalism

What are the changes that you witness in the journalism industry?

• With the enormous range of news channels, readers can easily get access

• Readers can freely engage with information sources

How about the transformation of information?

• Information nowadays can be about almost everything, unlike before when only crucial news would appear

• News can come in as personal experiences, rumours or any origin

Personal opinion

• Couldn’t trust online news as it is deceiving

• Thinks that online news are wide-range, but lacks credibility and would stir opinions

• Thinks the news revolutionary is necessary but as a millennial she would prefer old methods of reaching news