Banyan Tree Management Academy

Banyan Tree Management Academy (BTMA) was established in 2008 to support Banyan Tree Group’s organisational goals through Advancing People Development, Management Excellence, and Learning with Integrity and Meaning.

With more than 9,000 associates of over 50 nationalities, the diversity of the Banyan Tree workforce is a key feature that nourishes the group’s multicultural outlook and culture. BTMA stay committed to forging a common identity and purpose for our associates to transform our global talent base into a competitive advantage that strengthens Banyan Tree as a leading hospitality brand.

Located in Phuket, Thailand, BTMA is a centralised facility that trains future Banyan Tree leaders to sustain organisational effectiveness and meet the demands of the Group’s rapid global growth. BTMA plays a critical role in communicating the Group’s vision and strategy to future managers, instilling in them the core values of each brand.

Two signature BTMA courses – Management Development Programme (MDP) and Talent Management Programme (TMP) – are uniquely designed to equip new managers (TMP) and senior managers (MDP) to enhance their capability to perform in key and challenging roles. Through these programmes, Banyan Tree’s distinctive culture and know-how are imparted using case studies by our in-house facilitators who are our very own senior management team. Best practices are also shared amongst the different properties, and team spirit is forged through shared experience.

In addition, a partnership with eCornell offers more than 90 online courses to broaden the knowledge of associates worldwide.

In Laguna Phuket, the integrated resort which houses BTMA, an array of life enrichment programmes and bread and butter courses (including Language and IT courses) are provided as career foundation for all associates.

The foundational BTHR Certification Programme enables associates to master the knowledge and skills related to their field. In addition to the existing Certification Programmes for Front Office, F&B Service, Housekeeping, Bartender, Bellman, Culinary and Reservations, BTMA introduced the Engineering Certification Programme in 2015.

The 18-month Management Trainee Programme develops new graduates into Assistant Managers for various properties. Our Management Trainees created an advertisement for the programme that would be sent to hospitality schools and universities to attract fresh talent.

In 2014, we celebrated the first graduates of our 18-month Management Trainee Programme. Successful trainees cleared evaluations at the third, sixth and twelfth months of the programme, and were placed as assistant managers after graduation. We also formalised the Management Trainee Club, a platform for all management trainees in the Group to gather on-line, share their learning experiences and how they resolve challenges.

In 2015, the General Manager Programme was focused on Talent Management and was conducted online. The General Managers also participated in onsite sessions on Change Management, Revenue Management and Mentoring.

The 18-month LEAF Programme (Leading and Empowering Associates Forward) develops senior managers with the potential to lead the Group. The participants work with their mentors to draw up individual development plans that will prepare them for their next position.

BTMA established a Group-wide Learning Management System as a platform for online courses. Each property has a dedicated site and space, and its own learning team is trained to create and facilitate online learning for associates. Online courses range from basic information technology and English language courses to more advanced management and leadership courses. To date, 380 attendees have taken advantage of the 82 online courses that BTMA and the various properties have created.

In 2018, BTMA spearheaded the BTHR Quality Assurance Programme. Working with the quality champions for each property, the thrust included the identification of top quality issues and the quality improvement team had to tackle the challenges. The programme aims to escalate quality in all hotel operations.

In 2019, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts along with Banyan Tree Management Academy has partnered with the world-renowned HarvardManageMentor to deliver the online professional and executive development. Our goal is to provide ideas, resources and tools to help you excel as a leader at your own pace. We will focus on the core leadership behaviours and competencies which are important for leaders at all levels.