As a business transformation manager, the primary objective is to facilitate the transformation of systems and processes in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.

This position necessitates close collaboration with various stakeholders, including business leaders, IT teams, and external vendors, to drive and implement changes that enhance operational efficiency, increase productivity, and improve the overall performance of the IT function.

“Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous individuals, and my involvement in a major IT project within AX Group p.l.c. has allowed me to work closely with diverse people across all sectors and departments. I have come to realize that every person is unique, possessing distinct personalities, characters, moods, experiences, and emotions. Recognizing and appreciating these differences is crucial for establishing effective communication. As a project leader, the ability to tailor communication to each individual is valuable. Personalized communication holds great importance and significantly influences both daily work and the overall success of a project.

Understanding Uniqueness

Effective communication begins with acknowledging and understanding that each person has their own unique set of preferences and communication styles. Some individuals may thrive on face-to-face interactions, appreciating personal connections and gestures like a friendly pat on the shoulder. Others may prefer a more formal approach, desiring direct and concise conversations that lead to quick decisions. There are also those who enjoy engaging in lengthy discussions, requiring a high level of attention, while others may respond better to a briefer communication style. We encounter these diverse communication needs daily, whether interacting with loved ones or engaging in formal work-related conversations. Recognizing these differences allows us to adapt our communication methods to convey messages in the most efficient and effective manner.

The Power of Personalized Communication

Personalized communication holds tremendous power. By tailoring our approach to suit individual preferences, we establish rapport, build trust, and create a positive work environment. When team members feel understood and respected, they are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and productive. Personalized communication also helps mitigate misunderstandings, enhances clarity, and reduces conflicts that may arise due to miscommunication. By catering to the unique needs of individuals, we foster stronger relationships and encourage open and honest dialogue. This leads to improved collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making, ultimately benefiting the project as a whole.

Benefits for Day-to-Day Work

Effective communication greatly facilitates the day-to-day responsibilities. It enables seamless information sharing, ensuring that all team members are well-informed and aligned with project goals, timelines, and expectations. Clear and personalized communication minimizes the chances of errors, delays, and rework. It also promotes efficient task delegation, allowing to assign responsibilities based on team members’ strengths and preferences, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. Moreover, effective communication helps address challenges and obstacles promptly, keeping projects on track and avoiding potential bottlenecks.

Enhancing Project Success

The impact of effective communication extends beyond daily operations. It plays a crucial role in the overall success of a project. When project leaders establish a culture of open communication, team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and suggestions. This fosters innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement, driving the project forward. Effective communication also aids in stakeholder management by ensuring clear and consistent messaging to all stakeholders. When stakeholders feel well-informed and involved, they are more likely to support the project and provide necessary resources and assistance.

Navigating the Challenges of Multicultural Communication in the Hotel Industry

The diverse workforce and international service providers make effective communication a crucial aspect of successful project management. While these challenges may seem daunting, they can be embraced as opportunities for growth and improvement. By recognizing and harnessing the potential of multicultural individuals in an IT project, project leaders can tap into a rich resource of knowledge, creativity, and collaboration. This not only improves project outcomes but also cultivates an inclusive and dynamic work environment that celebrates diversity and fosters continuous growth and innovation.

The ability to adapt our communication style to different preferences enables us to navigate day-to-day work smoothly and contributes to the overall success of the project. Embracing effective communication practices not only benefits us as project leaders but also creates an environment conducive to growth, innovation, and achievement.

All the way from the Netherlands, allow us to introduce Dionne Paiesz, Demi Van de Spek, and Nicole Ton Van.

Our journey began earlier this year, and during that time, we had the opportunity to get to know each other and we were grateful that we came from the same country, as adjusting to living independently in a foreign land was initially intimidating. However, Malta’s small size made the transition easier, and we quickly settled in. One intriguing aspect was how everyone seems to know each other here!

We were greeted by HR and were given an induction and show around of the property then introduced to our Managers and team members.  We had a warm welcome from everyone and we were really happy with the team.  We knew that working in a 5 Star and 4 Star Property will be challenging for us but we were readily prepared for it. While we had learned about hospitality in school, actually experiencing it was very different. During our first weeks, we received a lot of training about the standards, information about guests and clientele, and what is expected from the team. Then training on the hotel system began. Initially, it was quite overwhelming as there was a lot to learn, but with time, it became easier and, of course, more enjoyable.

Front Office is a lovely department to work in and it taught us to be alert and always look our best. Shifts initially started as 8 hours per day, and once we were fully trained, we moved to 12-hour shifts. This made our weekly schedule easier to plan.

The Sliema AX Hotels are beautiful. AX The Victoria has a different decor from AX The Palace, but both hotels have detailed aesthetics and excellent facilities. Working with guests gave us a lot of job satisfaction, and seeing clients depend on us to make their holiday enjoyable and relaxing motivated us to deliver and exceed expectations.

What will you be taking back home with you? 

Our experience with AX Sliema is indescribable. Thanks to the team, we have gained valuable experience and, most importantly, a lot of knowledge and insights into hospitality. We have been exposed to mystery guests, different types of guests, how to handle challenging situations, and the importance of exceeding expectations. We will surely take all of these lessons back home with us.

Would you choose AX Hotels Sliema again?

Definitely! This was one of the best decisions we have made.

We would like to thank both Front Office teams for their patience in training us and for making us feel part of the team and most of all we would like to thank Dorianne Camilleri – Front Office Manager at AX Hotels Sliema and Charles Portelli – Front Office Manager at The Victoria.

AX Hotels Sliema…we will miss you!

Joseanne Tanti, Human Resources Manager for AX Hotels, discusses the innovative recruitment and training strategies implemented by the HR team to prepare for the re-opening of the ODYCY hotel.

Over the past few years, AX Hotels has entered a new phase of growth and development, characterised by the development of several ambitious hotel and F&B projects, including the newly redeveloped ODYCY resort in Qawra. As a company with a strong reputation for delivering exceptional hospitality, we understand that the success of all our hospitality offerings ultimately depends on the calibre of the staff who work within them. Consequently, our HR team has been actively working on a proactive recruitment approach, utilising creative solutions to attract and onboard the right talent, despite the ongoing challenges faced by the local hospitality industry.

At AX Hotels, we take pride in our recruitment strategy that centres around a positive and fulfilling career journey for potential candidates from the very start. Our approach is to identify and attract candidates who share our passion for hospitality, possess the character traits required to excel in the industry, and are excited about building a long-term career with us. To overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and the limited local talent market, we proactively sought to recruit skilled professionals from leading international locations. By conducting targeted recruitment drives, we successfully attracted a diverse range of highly talented individuals with experience across a range of hotel departments, including operational, administrative, and managerial positions.

Naturally, recruitment is just one part of a successful hiring strategy. We also recognise that effective onboarding is key to building a strong team. This was especially crucial in the build-up to the re-opening of ODYCY to ensure that all our new recruits gel and feel integrated into the AX Hotels family. As many of our new hires were foreign nationals only just arriving in Malta, we also felt the need to create a comprehensive onboarding program that not only introduced them to their roles but also included cultural awareness training to foster a workplace that respects diversity. By embracing diversity, we believe we can create a more inclusive and successful workplace for everyone.

We also believe in taking a long-term approach with each of our employees from the outset. We understand that providing a supportive work environment is essential to fostering success and productivity in the long run. To this end, we provide our staff with comprehensive training and support to help them thrive in their roles and build fulfilling careers with us. Effective staff management entails striking a balance between the company’s objectives and the individual needs of our employees, with the ultimate goal of transforming groups of new hires into successful and harmonious teams who deliver on the AX Hotels’ promise for exceptional hospitality.

Our open-door policy encourages our employees to approach their managers with feedback and concerns, enabling them to share their experiences and ideas to enhance the overall employee experience. By valuing our staff and listening to their needs, we strive to create a workplace culture that motivates them to perform at their best so they can build fulfilling careers with us.

We also feel it’s important to acknowledge the unique qualities and motivations of each individual on our teams. We understand that some employees are more driven and passionate about their work than others, while different people hold different career aspirations. To support the diverse needs of our staff, we have tailored our approach to staff management and development accordingly. Our development programs are designed to assist employees in achieving their goals by actively listening to their needs and understanding what motivates them in both their work and personal lives. This enables us to support them in the right ways and to open their eyes to the countless job opportunities available through AX Hotels, so that they can flourish and enjoy fulfilling careers.

As we look ahead to the reopening of ODYCY, we are proud of the progress our teams have made so far. We recognise that our people are the cornerstone of our business and remain committed to their growth as we move forward. By cultivating talent and promoting a culture of teamwork and creativity, we are confident that we can continue to excel and set a new standard of hospitality excellence in Malta.

It is no secret that Malta’s labour force has been transitioning through a period of unprecedented change over the past decade. In fact, according to recent statistics issued by JobsPlus, non-Maltese now make up over a quarter of the total labour force on the island, which has seen the number of foreign national workers in Malta shoot up from 9,500 in 2009 to close to 80,000 a decade later.

At AX Group, the shortage of local talent in industries such as hospitality, healthcare, and construction has resulted in the need to recruit foreign workers. In just one example pertaining to our business, within our construction division alone our headcount has gone from under 200 employees to over 300 over the past year, with the majority of these employees hailing from countries such as Turkey, India, and Southeast Asia.

While employing foreign nationals presents several challenges, such as obtaining the necessary work permits and visas, it also brings the need to address certain psychological and cultural challenges in order to ensure these employees are successfully integrated and supported at the place of work.

Many foreign workers arrive in Malta unfamiliar with the island and its culture, often having left behind families and loved ones in pursuit of better livelihoods and opportunities. It is crucial to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifices they make in choosing to work in an unfamiliar country. At times, they may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, which will inevitably impact their performance and motivation. Not having adequate support networks in place, such as family or friends, can also make the transition to a new job in a new country more challenging. Employers who acknowledge the unique experiences and difficulties faced by foreign workers can establish effective initiatives that promote their successful integration into the workforce.  This will lead to a job that brings them a sense of fulfilment and pride.

AX Group is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with fairness and respect. As an equal opportunities employer, AX Group ensures that all job candidates and employees are considered on the basis of their skills, abilities, and potential, rather than their background, gender, age, race, religion, or any other personal characteristic.  To support its commitment to equal opportunities, AX Group has established policies and practices that promote diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organization.

We believe that open communication is crucial for fostering a positive work culture. That’s why we encourage employees to share their ideas and perspectives, and to listen and learn from one another. To build relationships among colleagues, we also encourage foreign nationals to participate in company events and activities, including cross-cultural celebrations of religious festivities such as Christmas and Diwali.

Additionally, we provide professional development opportunities to help foreign nationals advance in their careers. We encourage them to take advantage of training programs and mentorship opportunities to enhance their skills and achieve their career goals. Here, we strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone is treated fairly and has equal access to opportunities. Our goal is to embody this ideal and show all employees that they are valued and respected, regardless of their race or religion.

We have seen time and again that our patience and perseverance on this front has paid dividends. We dedicate a lot of time and energy into fostering cross-cultural respect and understanding among our teams, and today, our multi-culturalism has become one of our major strengths. Our commitment has resulted in a diverse and unified workforce, enriched with a multitude of skills, expertise, innovative ideas, and craftsmanship.

However, we also acknowledge the need to do more to make a positive impact in any way we can to enhance the situation for all.

To this end, we are proud to have partnered with the recently founded Malta ESG Alliance (MESGA). Together with 12 other local business leaders, this private sector consortium is actively working together to tackle environmental, social, and governance priorities to contribute to a more sustainable and socially equitable Malta. In line with these efforts, AX Group remains a vocal advocate for improved policies that ensure fair and proper payment for all workers, both local and foreign. We strive for a system that supports foreign nationals entering the workforce, ensuring that they feel secure and not exploited or subjected to unjust treatment.

By understanding the unique challenges that foreign nationals face, providing support and resources, creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment, fostering a culture of open communication, encouraging employee engagement, and providing opportunities for professional development, businesses in Malta can help foreign nationals integrate into the workforce and feel valued and supported.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that this is not a one-time effort but a continuous process that requires commitment and dedication. It’s important to assess and evaluate the progress, take feedback, and make necessary adjustments to the strategies employed. By doing so, we can guarantee that we are fostering a welcoming environment for individuals of all backgrounds while maintaining Malta’s appeal as a desirable workplace for foreign nationals seeking better prospects beyond their home countries.

Life has taught me many things but above all, experience has taught me certain simplicities which are so logical and have an absolute natural flow. Today’s busy life, unfortunately, doesn’t allow us much time to stop and think. One must really be aware of this, in order to break the cycle, reason things out objectively without interruptions and see clearly the logic in things.

I truly believe that in our workplace, it is all about input and output, in its very literal sense. If we input something wrong in our PC, it will be registered wrongly and consequentially it will be interpreted wrongly too, leading us to wrong decisions and a bad output. Likewise, if we give X amount of energy into what we are working on, it will usually give you back that energy in return, whether it is physical, mental or numerical, in the short or long term. Similarly, if we don’t give the right amount of focus to whatever it is we are working on, we will never reap the energy we expect in return. Input = Output. In my head, it is very clear.

On a different note, what affects us similarly is the ‘input’ we give to ourselves, mentally, physically and spiritually. So, logically, if we invest time in stimulating ourselves, mentally, physically or spiritually, we will naturally feel better about ourselves, and consequently, reap the results of that. I look at us as if we were a tank. If the tank is full of bad energy, how can we fill it with good energy? We first need to make space for it, and secondly, start replacing the bad energy with the good energy. This process can never take place if we don’t consciously work hard on it. If we don’t take control of our lives, our lives will take over us. There is no such thing as, my work conditions don’t allow that to happen, or my family needs are too demanding, or the hours, or a ton of other ‘reasons’, which ultimately boil down to excuses. If we REALLY want to take control of our life and how we feel, we just do it. We stop to think and see which are the things we CAN change that can help us achieve this. In this process, we must not stop at the first layer of trial we encounter. One needs to really dig in and uncover all the layers until we come to our true feelings and causes involved. Example: if you would like to really find time for yourself and are not able to find 30mins to yourself every day, one needs to delve into the reasons why. Is it work? What can we do about it?

Find the right people to help you tackle it. Truthfully in my understanding, there are no excuses from whichever level, that inhibit you to find those 30 mins to yourself daily. Surely, solutions can ALWAYS be found, and if you don’t manage to get it daily due to justified causes, then at least you make sure you get that same time on a weekly basis at a stretch, just to yourself. If one problem is presented to us, dig into that problem and try to find solutions. If you find another problem in the process, you again try to find solutions to that new problem. And if you find further problems, you repeat the process, until you find a solution to all the problems you are faced with.

Where there is a will, there is ALWAYS A WAY. On a personal level, same thing. If we are challenged with time due to family commitments, we repeat this same process and see where a compromise can be found. I am a single mum of three children, running multiple businesses in different industries with multiple brands, and like everyone else, I struggle to find time for myself with all the commitments I have that are almost impossible to delegate to, but somehow, I manage. Hence why I speak with conviction and passion about this. Investing time in myself has not only given ME a breath of fresh air, but has also focused my thinking which in turn the company is gaining from. I work extremely long hours too. Once my children are settled at school, they don’t see me before minimum 6pm, but I make sure that I make up for every minute of that time they didn’t find me at home after school, or any other time I had to be missing from home due to a work event. To do that, it takes me a lot of pain staking effort to co-ordinate and plan ahead, but I realize now that if I am not ahead of it, things will get on top of me, and I will never be on top of things.

On the contrary, I understand that I will be right there at the very bottom of that stack of things to do and guilty of not doing, buried in the helpless zone, and to add insult to injury, I would pull my family and my business down with me. Today, I can recognize this very clearly as I have lived it. Hence why I found the urge to share this with you and serve as some inspiration for those of you who feel are feeling stuck in the zone. You don’t need to make radical changes, just an internal change by being conscious of this very fact, the input determines the output.

Should we choose to live life with so much determination, the result of that energy will surely be seen and felt significantly. When we create room for choice, we are happier as we feel that we are part of that choice, and we are masters of our destiny not conditioned by our destiny. If we allow ourselves to make good choices, then we become happier. If we are happier, less anxious and stressed, then we are generally more productive at work as well as in our personal lives. It is a big ripple effect. It starts from within. Being happier also makes us more creative and frees us up to think out of the box. Thus, we facilitate THE change that is needed in this very fast life we are living. This frees us from those walls that sometimes seem to be holding us back.

When we feel fulfilled, everything else around us, within our daily reach, will work in harmony. It has a direct effect. If not immediate, in the short to medium term. The same applies with our nutrition. Not that I am a nutrition expert, by no means, but I now realize that we are literally what we eat, drink, think and breathe. We are a produce of our own making. We can go through life being masters of our destiny. The choice is ours!