Red Carnation rewards staff at London event
When Bea Tollman, president and founder of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, opened her first hotel in London in 1984, she believed outstanding personal service and great value should be the essence of every guest's stay. Now, with generations of experience in hospitality, and having grown the collection to 13 hotels, Red Carnation is regarded as one of the world's finest groups of boutique hotels.
With accolades including "Best Hotel in the British Isles" in the Cond Nast Traveler magazine's 21st Annual Readers' Choice Awards, "Best Hotel in the World" in the 2009 US Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards and "Best Employer in Hospitality and Leisure" at the 2009 Springboard Awards for Excellence, her secret ingredient for success is continued investment in her most prized asset - the staff.
Over 700 staff, 40 of whom were flown to London from the three South African hotels - The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat and the Oyster Box - attended the Annual Staff Appreciation and Recognition Gala Dinner at The Hilton Park Lane on March 28.
Some 100 employees flew in from the overseas hotels to celebrate the collection and the achievements of the various team members. The evening saw over 130 staff recognised for their outstanding contributions as managers and employees over the past 12 months, as trainers and as individuals who were willing to go beyond their ordinary duties for the benefit of guests and other members of the team as well as honorary awards for length of service.
Cash prizes, weekends away, trophies and certificates marked the occasion for the winners.
The South Africans presented with "Mrs Tollman's Awards" were:
Front Office Manager of the Year (for Red Carnation Hotel's internationally): Abraham Mouton of The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa;
Back of House Employee of the Year: Prince Mhlongo from The Oyster Box; and
Manager of the Year (for Red Carnation Hotel's internationally): Wayne Coetzer - General Manager of The Oyster Box.
Other awards to staff at the Twelve Apostles were given to Gavin Ferreira, Emelda Kettledas, Tarryn Pypers, Karin Coleman, Masood Sadulla , Laaiquah Raven, Lincoln Stimela and Kenny Dani.
Awards for staff at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat were presented to Thandoxolo Fobela, Adele Coetzee, Willimina Veloen, Sorita Booysen, Jaco Fourie and Searle Johannes.
Bea Tollman says: "When you work closely with people day in and day out you become a family, and that's how I see our staff. Likewise, we're creating a 'home from home' for our guests, and treat them as we would treasure family friends.
"A true appreciation of people, those that work with us and those that stay with us, is at the heart of everything we do, as evinced by the extremely low staff turn-over.
"But it all starts with staff training, development, recognition and ultimately, promotions from within. We're totally dedicated to helping every individual fulfil his potential, because it's the only way to deliver the ultimate guest experience. There are no short-cuts or half-measures. Staff remuneration through rewards is a key ingredient. Individual and department incentives together with social events throughout the year are just some of the ways in which Red Carnation recognises and rewards good performance whilst reinforcing strong family values."
Red Carnation delivers over 50 different internal training programs, including management trainee programmes. Many of these are linked to internationally recognised qualifications and include extensive leadership and management initiatives.
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