Staff selection activity

A luxury hotel in Barcelona is selecting a new General Manager. The choice is between two candidates:

Candidate A

o  Hotel Management Experience: 

-Worked as a hotel manager at a four-star boutique hotel with 10 rooms for the past seven years.

-Successfully managed a team of 12 staff members, ensuring high guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

-Implemented effective customer service strategies and handled high-profile events.

 o  Education: 

-Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management.

o  Additional Skills:

-Strong leadership and conflict resolution abilities.

-Solid knowledge of hospitality operations and guest relations.

 Candidate B

o  Digital Marketing Skills:

-Worked as a digital marketing manager at Marriott International for two years.

-Created successful online campaigns, increasing the company’s bookings and online presence.

-Holds certifications in social media marketing and digital advertising.

 o  Education:

-Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

-Master’s degree in Digital Marketing.

 o  Leadership Experience:

-Led a team of digital marketers, coordinating campaigns and analyzing performance metrics.

o  Additional Skills: 

-Creativity and adaptability in digital environments.

-Proficiency in data analysis tools and digital trends.

1. The class is divided into two groups. One group will support Candidate A, and the other will support Candidate B. Within each group, decide which student will perform the following roles:

o  Lead Debater: Presents the main arguments.

o  Researcher: Uses AI tools to find supporting data and examples.

o  Rebuttal Specialist: Prepares counter-arguments against the opposing team.

2. Review the profiles of Candidate A and Candidate B thoroughly. Each group should identify the key points that support their candidate. Consider aspects such as:

o  Experience vs. potential: The value of experience in hotel management versus the potential of digital marketing skills.

o  Long-term success: Which skills are more likely to contribute to the hotel’s long-term success.

o  Adaptability: The ability of each candidate to adapt to changing trends in the tourism and hospitality industries.

3. Use generative AI to:

o  Generate potential scenarios and outcomes for each candidate.

o  Find case studies or examples of similar situations in real hotels or resorts.

o  Create visual aids or presentations to support arguments.

4. Debate execution: Each team presents their opening statements, outlining the main reasons their candidate should be selected. Take turns presenting your arguments and counter-arguments.

5. Reflection: Discuss what you have learned and how you can improve your own performance and the effectiveness of your arguments. Consider aspects such as:

o  Clarity and coherence: How clearly and logically the arguments have been presented.

o  Use of evidence: The effectiveness of using AI-generated data and real-world examples to support arguments.

o  Team collaboration: How well the team members have worked together and supported each other.

o  Persuasiveness: The ability to convincingly argue why your candidate is the better choice.

Source: OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com

Adapted from: Donaire, J. A., Puntí Brun, M., Zerva, K., Camprubí Subirana, R., & Galí Espelt, N. (2025). De la tiza al chip: el uso de la inteligencia artificial en las aulas. Universitat de Girona.