Nurturing a Thriving Workplace at AX Group

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“In a company with over 1,000 employees, maintaining personal connections might seem challenging, but at AX Group, we prioritise creating an environment where every team member feels respected, appreciated, and integral to the company’s success”, commented Josephine Grima, Head of Human Resources at AX Group. Josephine shared her insights during a captivating panel discussion on employee retention at the Malta Chamber of SMEs Conference 2023.

As a family-run business, diversity and inclusivity are firmly embedded in AX Group’s values, a commitment reflected not only in our business portfolio but also in our multicultural workforce. Our open-door policy, extending from top executives to management, promotes transparent communication and interaction among all staff members.

 

Cultivating Open Communication and Celebrating Achievements

We believe that communication is the cornerstone of a thriving workplace. Through various channels such as Quarterly Townhall meetings, regular staff meetings, and ‘Let’s Talk’ sessions, we strive to keep our employees informed about company-wide developments and encourage their valuable contributions. Acknowledging individual and team accomplishments is pivotal to maintaining a positive workplace culture at AX Group, and we take pride in initiatives such as the annual AX Awards Night, Employee of the Month recognition, and Employee Spotlights featured on our AX Careers and Knowledge Centre platforms.

 

Building Teams: Nurturing and Attracting the Right Fit

Josephine emphasises the importance of understanding our employees’ aspirations. “Through one-on-one sessions, we delve into their expectations for personal growth and development within the Group. Creating tailored development plans is instrumental in helping our people enhance their skills and forge meaningful career paths to reach their full potential.”

“Retaining our talented individuals is yet another important aspect; it is not a destination but a continuous journey whereby we remain dedicated to fostering a positive employee experience through regular feedback, ample growth opportunities, and an inclusive environment,” she continued. This commitment ensures that each team member feels valued from day one.

Addressing the challenge of finding individuals with the right practical skills and cultural fit in today’s labour market is a priority across the Group. We tackle this challenge through a multifaceted approach, including strengthening our employer branding, leveraging employee referrals, utilizing various recruitment channels, and establishing partnerships with educational institutions, including MCAST, ITS, and the University of Malta.

 

Extending a Helping Hand Beyond the Office

Our commitment to giving back to society and extending that sense of community beyond the office is evident in the diverse social activities we organise. The annual calendar of events is designed to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and offer a platform for employees to share experiences and forge meaningful connections. Whether it’s social activities, cultural celebrations, team building events or CSR initiatives, these activities contribute to a vibrant and supportive work culture, fostering interaction among employees beyond their immediate work circles.

In embracing these principles, here at AX Group, our dedication remains firm in creating a workplace that truly values every team member, appreciates our diverse strengths, and empowers each individual to contribute their best. Josephine concludes that “in essence, nurturing a thriving work environment is not just a goal—it’s who we are. It’s about creating a place where you matter, where your unique contribution is celebrated, and where our collective success is built on the strength of each one of us”.

 

Internships at AX Hotels Sliema.

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In this article, we invite you to explore the world of interns at AX Hotels, Sliema. Through the first-hand experiences and stories of our interns, you’ll gain valuable insights into the dynamic work culture at AX Hotels. Dive into the enriching narratives that lie ahead and discover more about these interns’ unique experiences.

Charlotte Acton – Events Department intern at AX The Palace

“My 3-month internship at AX Hotels Sliema was an experience as rich in learning as it was in emotions, working with my exceptional team and dedicated colleagues, Zsolt and Victoria, was an invaluable experience. They have been essential to my professional and personal development. They have been with me throughout this period of discovery and learning. Indeed, Zsolt, with his expertise and his patient, understanding attitude, was able to guide me throughout, at my own pace. I was able to learn from his skills in operational management and leadership, which enabled me to discover the right profile for an event manager and inspired me to develop further in these areas. Victoria also offered me invaluable support in my day-to-day tasks. Her warm and collaborative approach fostered a positive working environment where I was able to flourish and give the best of myself.

Secondly, the events organised by our team have been unique opportunities for me to learn and grow in the luxury hotel industry. From large receptions to conferences to beautiful weddings, I never stopped learning about every detail and complexity that an event requires, and I have very fond memories of them today. The many projects I’ve been involved in have given me a wealth of experience in event management and real-time problem-solving.

What’s more, in a warm and pleasant working environment, the AX hotel staff, from all departments, are always there to help you when you’re at a learning curve, as I was, and so I’d like to thank all the AX Hotels Sliema hotel staff for their help, which at the time seemed simple but which, for me, was a great help and made all the difference in carrying out my daily tasks and my unusual assignments.

All in all, my work placement at AX The Palace, AX The Victoria Hotel and The Palazzo Capua was an enriching experience that gave me important professional skills that I intend to develop and perfect in the future. I am very grateful to my team and colleagues for everything they have given me, and I am convinced that what I have learnt will stay with me throughout my career.”

 

Sietze Idenburg –  Front Office intern at AX The Victoria

“For the last 20 weeks, I worked as an intern at The AX Victoria Hotel as a Front Office Agent. From the moment I stepped through the hotel’s doors on my very first day, I embarked on a journey of learning and personal growth that has left an indelible mark on me. I’ve learned so much since my first day here, from practising my initial check-in with role-play with my fellow colleagues to handling 20 guest check-ins per day on my own. I would like to express my gratitude to all my colleagues who made my time here even more enjoyable. I wish all my colleagues the best of luck in the future, and I would like to thank Mr. Charles Portelli for sharing his knowledge and experience with me. It has been a pleasure to be a part of the AX Victoria team, and I’m certain that I will visit again in the near future!”

 

Audrey Guilloux – Sales Department Intern at AX The Palace

“I am grateful for the opportunities, growth, and wonderful memories I had during my internship.

From day one I felt welcomed and supported by his AX Sliema team. The positive and friendly atmosphere at work made me fit in quickly and made me feel like a valued member of the team. I am grateful for the guidance of my colleagues who have generously contributed their knowledge and expertise to help me grow both personally and professionally.

One of the highlights of my internship was the relationships I developed with my fellow interns and colleagues. The camaraderie and teamwork made every day enjoyable and memorable. You made AX Hotels Sliema feel like a safe workspace for me, made me feel heard, and gave me the confidence to come up with new ideas.

During my internship, I had the opportunity to gain hands-on skills and valuable industry knowledge. Working in different departments has given me a comprehensive understanding of the hotel industry. I learned how to deal with real situations and improved my communication skills. My experience at AX Sliema has definitely contributed to my personal and professional growth and strengthened my desire to work in the hospitality industry.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone at AX Sliema for their warm welcome, support and encouragement during my internship. It is an honour to be part of the AX Sliema team and I am very grateful for the opportunity given to me.”

 

In conclusion, the internships at AX Hotels Sliema have been transformative experiences, illuminating the path of success for these individuals in the dynamic world of hospitality. These intern stories highlight the value of dedicated colleagues and mentors who nurture growth in a collaborative work environment. Throughout their journey, these interns have gained valuable insights, learned to manage various events, and discovered the power of teamwork. We extend our heartfelt best wishes to Charlotte, Sietze, and Audrey as they embark on their promising futures!

VELICHE Chocolate Exposure program in Belgium

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I attended this exposure program with many other Pastry Chefs from Malta.  The experience was just amazing!

It was a 3 day exposure program whereby all participants were given a tour around the chocolate factory and we were given a lot of information with regards to the product itself, the chocolate grain, the supply and the process towards making the chocolate itself.  Veliche have 12 types of chocolates all with their unique style.  Needless to say, we were waiting for the opportunity to tickle our taste buds of course and the moment actually arrived! We all love chocolate but THIS was the ultimate experience.

Their Executive Pastry Chef delivered a lot of demonstrations regarding the variety of chocolate cakes and we also had the opportunity to work in small groups and experience the same type of cakes with their products.  Every group had a specific task with different types of chocolate and we had to deliver the final product to the Executive Pastry Chef.  The pressure was on!  We found our team members and engaged towards this challenge.  This involved lots of team work, discussion, creativity, sharing of ideas and product knowledge and needles to say the adrenaline rush that we as Pastry Chefs are presenting a final product to the Executive Pastry of of Veliche Company was on another level. 

We were given lectures related to the different type of Chocolate techniques for garnishes of which I will proudly display and deliver at AX Sliema. At the end of our stay, we were treated to a luxurious restaurant which complimented the experience especially when it came to the dessert! 

I must say this was an amazing opportunity, not only to experience such an exposure in Belgium but to also network with Maltese Pastry Chefs also and gain more knowledge which will surely help me become more successful in my line of duty. 

 

I am very grateful towards Executive Chef Joseph Xuereb and the Sliema Management for allowing me this opportunity.  An unforgettable experience indeed!