A clever blend of rigor and good humor – that’s the recipe for Steven McMath to help students fulfil their dreams. Our Senior Finance & Law Lecturer shared with us his vision of the industry and the challenges it faces.
Can you share your background with us?
Academically, I studied Law at Aberdeen University and Glasgow University and completed an MBA specializing in Finance at Liverpool University. At Les Roches I teach Finance, Accounting and Law.
What made you want to teach?
I enjoy teaching.
Why did you choose Les Roches rather than another hotel management school?
I liked the friendliness of Les Roches. I like the atmosphere. Les Roches isn’t just a school, it is a way of life.
How would you define Les Roches? What makes Les Roches unique?
It is friendly with very professional and dedicated instructors and lecturers. Les Roches tends to be down to earth.
Les Roches tends to be down to earth.
Has the atmosphere of Les Roches influenced the way you prepare your courses?
Fortunately, Les Roches lecturers are given a lot of autonomy when it comes to course content. This allows them to share their own expertise and experience with students.
What is your definition of the transmission of knowledge?
I try to teach students knowledge that is useful. My focus is on transmitting knowledge and skills to students that they can use in their professional life and that they will find useful.
Beyond the technical aspect, what do you try to transmit to your students?
I like my classes to have an enjoyable and humorous atmosphere; but I am very serious about teaching students material that is useful in their professional career. Work hard and play hard in a sense.
Do you have a secret for getting the best out of each student?
Students tell me that I am very enthusiastic about what I teach.
I like my classes to have an enjoyable and humorous atmosphere; but I am very serious about teaching students material that is useful in their professional career.
In your opinion, are there any fundamental values that a student should possess if he or she wants to work in hotel management?
A desire to do a good job and a focus on customer satisfaction are fundamental values required to work in hotel management.
Be inclusive, be caring, be open. In your opinion, will these notions, which are essential for the new generations, change the face of the hotel industry?
I think there is a danger that Western notions of the new generation identifying themselves as being inclusive, caring and open are necessarily held strongly by young people globally. Young people from Eastern Europe, Russia, India, Pakistan, East Asia and the Middle East tend to be more traditional in their values. Les Roches is a global brand catering to students from all over the world.
In your opinion, what can and will the new generations bring to the hotel sector? On the world of work in general?
Certainly a familiarity with the use of technology and social media.
In your opinion, what are the challenges facing the hotel sector in 2023?
Rises in interest rates on borrowed funds may impact the profitability and viability of some hotels. Interest rates have been very low since 2008. Hotels in particular and businesses in general may struggle to adjust to higher interest payments on borrowed funds.
