Indu Verma: Shaping the Future of Hospitality Finance

Indu Verma is the area director of finance for Hyatt Hotels. Her experience in hospitality was over 20 years. Her journey in the hospitality industry is a testament to her resilience, hard work, and dedication. Her commitment to excellence and her visionary approach to financial management have made her a respected leader in the field. Indu’s story is not just about her professional achievements but also about her unwavering commitment to her principles and her vision for a better, more efficient, and sustainable hospitality industry.

This article tells about Indu Verma’s achievements and what drew her to the field of finance. “Karmanya vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana” – Bhagavad Gita. This quote reminds her that our responsibility lies in performing our duties with dedication, without being attached to the outcomes.

Introduction:

When Indu started working in the hospitality sector, at that time, the hospitality sector was quite new to her and seemed very flashy and attractive. One day, she came across an advertisement in the Accest Times newspaper from Oberoi Hotels, announcing a walk-in drive for job positions in Finance and other areas. Intrigued by the opportunity, she decided to attend the interview. Like many recent graduates, she was eager to make a good impression and was thrilled to successfully secure a position with the esteemed hotel chain.

She began her career as an Accounts Assistant at Oberoi Hotels, where she quickly developed foundational skills in hospitality finance. This initial role was crucial, offering her hands-on experience with financial operations and a deep understanding of the hospitality sector’s unique financial dynamics.

As she gained experience, she advanced to roles with several renowned hotel brands, including Leela, Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt. Each of these positions presented unique challenges and opportunities, allowing her to work in various capacities and across different aspects of financial management. These experiences were instrumental in expanding her expertise and understanding of the finance function within diverse organizational contexts.

A pivotal moment in her career came when Indu assumed the role of Area Director of Finance at Hyatt.

Challenges and Achievements:

Indu believes that navigating through the COVID-19 Pandemic was a significant achievement in her life, during the pandemic, she ensured financial stability and operational continuity by implementing effective cost-saving measures, adapting financial strategies to rapidly changing conditions, and fostering strong teamwork. These efforts allowed her to navigate the unprecedented challenges successfully.

Indu received many awards like the Global 200 Leaders Award, in 2023, she was also honored with the Global 200 Leaders Award by White Page International, recognizing her contributions and leadership in the industry.

Personal Insights:

She maintains balance by setting clear boundaries between work and personal time. Effective time management is key, allowing her to allocate dedicated time for both professional responsibilities and personal activities.

Her guiding principles are integrity, hard work, collaboration, and a focus on improvement. She strives to act ethically, invest effort into achieving goals, work well with others, and constantly seek ways to enhance performance and processes.

Impact and Vision:

Indu’s leadership style blends strategic planning with a collaborative approach. She focuses on articulating a clear vision, nurturing creativity, and working closely with her team to drive growth and achieve organizational objectives.

She aims to advance the field of hospitality finance by embracing digital tools and technologies to streamline financial operations. Her focus is on enhancing financial efficiency and accuracy while supporting exceptional guest experiences and sustainable practices.

She is focused on integrating AI to enhance financial processes, increase accuracy, and drive efficiency.

Conclusion:

Indu Verma advises young women “Work hard, stay focused, and embrace challenges. Your dedication will turn dreams into reality”