Optimizing Efficiency through Streamlining Operations

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Ryan Muscat is an IT Systems Analyst within AX Group’s Business Transformation Unit. In just over 8 months, Ryan has been instrumental in the Group’s digital transformation efforts. He has expertise in the Therefore document management system and exceptional programming skills. Ryan has streamlined processes, integrated Docusign to eliminate the printing of agreements, and utilized metadata to improve operations. He is currently working on two critical projects: Digitizing AX Hotels Group’s agreements and developing a new agreements system for AX Development. Ryan’s contribution to the standardization of the agreement creation process and the integration with DocuSign has significantly improved AX Group’s operational efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability.

 

AX Group recognizes the importance of document management and the role it plays in improving our operational processes and decision-making capabilities. Our ongoing efforts to digitize documents, extract metadata, and enhance document accessibility have not only increased our efficiency and accuracy but also reduced our reliance on paper and contributed to our sustainability goals. One of the main advantages of digitizing our documents at AX Group has been the increased speed and ease of accessing and sharing them. This has significantly reduced the amount of time it takes to find specific documents and improved the overall efficiency of our workflows. By extracting metadata from these documents, we have also been able to use the information to improve our decision-making processes. For example, we can now easily analyze patterns and trends in our data, which helps us to make more informed decisions about our operations and strategies.

 

 

The Business Transformation Unit at AX Group is actively engaged in a number of projects that share the common objective of enhancing business operations. Specifically, our focus has been on increasing efficiency, centralizing and standardizing processes, improving document accessibility, and furthering the paperless effort. However, we faced a number of challenges during the digitization process at AX Group, such as dealing with large volumes of documents and ensuring that the metadata extracted was accurate and consistent. To overcome these challenges, we developed clear guidelines for document management and implemented quality control measures to ensure accuracy and consistency. Additionally, we provided training to our staff to ensure that they could use it effectively and efficiently.

Input = Output

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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!

 

 

World-Class Hospitality is a Lifelong Learning Journey

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They say that in hospitality the only thing that is constant is change. Ever since I started my journey into hospitality and catering, I know this to be absolutely true. Over the years, I’ve seen many changes occur over and over again, where new trends, travel realities, and general attitudes within the service industry reshape how we are expected to cater towards our guests and diners. Most recently, the pandemic brought with it significant changes that hotels and restaurants the world over are continuing to adapt to.

For all these reasons and more, I continue to seek out opportunities to learn new skills and knowledge so that in my role as restaurant manager overseeing AX Hotels’ Sliema properties I can continue to deliver the high standards of service the AX brand has become synonymous with.

In November last year, I was lucky enough to spend a week at the renowned Gambero Rosso academy in Rome as part of the Erasmus programme organised by the Malta Tourism Authority. Offered exclusively to restaurant and catering professionals, the programme was a rare opportunity to train directly under the guidance of highly skilled Maitre and Sommelier on all manner of topics related to improving quality-of-service standards in the industry. From all my years of studying and working in hospitality, I can genuinely say that this was a unique and an unforgettable experience from start to finish.

The training itself was a true masterclass in hospitality and service. Throughout the week, we enjoyed classes from three extraordinary tutors, each of whom held a distinguished resume working in 5-star luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants around the globe. They all had a tremendous passion for food, wine, and hospitality that shone through their engaging teaching style, and which welcomed us in as equals. More than just simply educating us, each tutor offered up a wealth of scenarios and episodes from their own experience, which really put the theory and concepts they were teaching us into a grounded context, showcasing how we could apply all that we were learning within our own respective roles.

Over the course of the week, we were given training covering a wide range of skills and topics, including best practices in contemporary hospitality, the differences between traditional and modern service techniques, restaurant planning, food and wine pairing, the history of wine, and so much more.

Personally, I learned many new skills which I instantly knew would better support me in my role as restaurant manager at our hotels in Sliema. I also got to absorb new perspectives on my own ingrained skills and knowledge, which really opened my eyes to different approaches and ways of thinking on servicing diners and guests. In hospitality, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all approach to expertly handle all guests. You need to be cognisant of various ways to meet their requirements, needs, and requests, which can vary depending on a number of factors, from the style of hotel or restaurant you’re working in to how guest expectations differ according to geographical and cultural contexts. Therefore, having an opportunity to soak up more standpoints was a valuable lesson that I know will serve me well going forward.

In addition to the training, I was also looking forward to this trip in Rome as it presented another opportunity for me to experience a hotel stay from a guest’s point of view. Working in the hotel industry, catering to guests on a day-to-day basis, it’s sometimes easy to overlook the simple things which can transform the guest experience into a truly memorable one. As such, I treated my time at the Villa Zaccardi hotel as something of a refresher course in guest hospitality.

Located a mere 10 minutes away from the academy, the hotel was a truly fine place to stay in this beautiful city. Not only were the rooms, facilities, and lovely garden a pleasure to stay in but the staff were an absolute delight. They saw to our every need and were welcoming, sociable, and expertly prepared throughout. As a fellow hospitality professional, it was a pleasure to see such excellent service standards first hand, and the entire hotel experience perfectly complemented the daily training we were receiving at the academy.

Moreover, the trip was also an opportunity to get to know many hospitality professionals working across so many different hotels and restaurants. All the managers and supervisors who attended the course were incredibly talented and everyone showed their passion toward the job, sharing their experiences, and going out of their way to be friendly and helpful. It was an amazing group to be part of and reminded me how lucky we all are to work in an industry where being friendly and courteous to one another is in the job description.

All in all, the entire week of training at Gambero Rosso was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would recommend to anyone who is serious about delivering world-class hospitality. Since I returned from the trip, I have been putting all that I learned into practice. I also continue to share all the lessons I picked up with my colleagues at AX Hotels to ensure that we are all delivering a consistent service across the board that is in line with international standards.

While I learned a lot during the experience, I also know there’ll be plenty more to discover in the future as the industry continues to evolve. That’s why I look forward to each new learning experience presented to me with open arms so that I can acquire new skills, challenge my preconceived ideas, try different experiences, meet new people, and continue to enjoy the unique privileges of working in, what I believe to be, the greatest industry in the world.

Empowering young people personally & professionally at AX Care

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Since launching in 2014, AX Care has made a name for itself as one of the finest residential and flexible care service providers in Malta. Central to AX Care’s values is a community spirit that’s built on genuine trust and respect for people. And this isn’t a standard of behaviour that applies to residents and their families only but also to the entire team working across AX Care’s diverse operations, which include Hilltop Gardens, Simblija Care Home, and Revive Physiotherapy and Aquatic Centre.

Overseeing the employee wellbeing and talent recruitment side of the operation is HR Manager Luana Caruana. After completing a degree in Youth and Community Studies, where she trained to work with individuals with substance abuse addiction, Luana went on to read for Master’s degree, where she realised a career in HR was her true calling. “At heart, I am a people person and love to be around people, instilling positivity in their daily lives. So, a career transition into HR was ideal,” she explains.

In her role with AX Care, Luana works to find new and innovative ways to foster an engaging and supportive workplace, where people can find everything they need to build a fulfilling career that promotes wellness, growth, and progress. She is also responsible for recruiting new and promising talent to the business.

“Recruiting for the care sector takes a dedicated approach and that’s because the people we hire have a direct impact on the quality of care we offer our residents. So, first and foremost, I shortlist only the potential candidates who are genuine in their commitment to work in this sector. Over and above the standard qualifications, they need to be able to demonstrate that they can be dedicated to the job and compassionate towards people who are sometimes facing challenging circumstances.”

AX Care is also continuing to invest in young talent, empowering people to grow professionally through ample training and career progression opportunities within the sector. Luana herself works alongside all the teams to better understand what training and support employees need and to point them in the right direction.

“The fact that AX Group is  a large organisation with a well-established name in the Care sector is already an incredible opportunity in itself. I believe that young professionals who are ambitious and entrepreneurial, will quickly understand they are entering a workplace that rewards hard work and values their contributions. We also actively support promising talent as they climb towards positions of greater responsibility in the organisation,” she says.

Key to this upward mobility ethos in the AX Care workplace is a strong belief in the talent, vision, drive, and resourcefulness of young people to bring about the changes they want to see in their lives and careers.

“Throughout my youth and community studies, I found again and again that if you manifest that you believe in people, they will strive to change for the better, no matter how difficult the challenges ahead of them. Ultimately, it all boils down to attitude. You can coach and offer people all the tools they need, but it’s their drive and ambition that will make the difference.

“And this is where my role becomes important. As HR Manager, I strive to be emphatic and supportive in all circumstances, whilst ensuring that the right tools and resources are provided to the employees. Additionally, I believe that creating a positive work culture will only lead to a better mood overall which in turn leads to a more fulfilling job experience. This is why I focus on helping my colleagues see the bigger picture and show them that there is always some sort of solution to most problems. Such an approach can only serve to provide our people with the inspiration and encouragement they need to succeed in both their professional and personal life.”

Luana and her team also implement various initiatives to strengthen AX Care’s teams, ensuring they can thrive all year round. These include organising regular team building events and activities that enable employees to learn new skills while having the opportunity to relax and unwind together. Furthermore, the HR team looks to reward its people through acknowledging improvement and effort, and offering training, coaching, and mentoring.

“I truly believe that listening to our people is essential if we want them to succeed. That’s why we practice an open-door policy and encourage employees to reach out to their managers to discuss their concerns and career goals at any time. Instilling a culture of trust and open dialogue is crucial to building a workplace that fosters empowerment,” Luana explains.

As AX Care continues to grow and expand its operations, it also offers new opportunities for young professionals to join this growing team. What advice can one offer young candidates who are in the process of starting a career in the care sector?

“Working in the care sector can be tough and challenging but also an incredibly rewarding experience. More so when you have an employer like AX Group backing your career journey. With the company successfully operating for the past 44 years, candidates have peace of mind about job security. Furthermore, the Group continues to be innovative and diverse, encouraging entrepreneurship and creativity among all its young professionals. Just look at the future projects the company has announced—there are only bigger and brighter horizons ahead.’’

“So, for those reasons and many others, I strongly recommend AX Care as an employer. If you are ambitious, creative, and have genuine compassion for people, AX Care can offer you a fantastic career with so much to look forward to.”

Are you looking to embark on an exciting career in care? Then search our open vacancies today. We look forward to hearing from you.

SEARCH VACANCIES

Wearing The Hard Hat and Breaking The Stereotype

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The construction and development sector has historically been a male-dominated industry. The notion that men are physically stronger than women largely contributed to this state of affairs, and the industry organically grew to appear more welcoming for men in all areas – from the construction site to management roles.

But one woman is challenging the stereotype. We spoke to Denise Micallef Xuereb, Construction and Development Director at AX Group, to find out more about her story and her experience on the ground.

You have always been involved in the family business and AX Group’s business streams are diverse. What drove you to steer your career specifically towards construction and development?

When AX The Palace project was underway, I was asked to supervise the works in the new guest rooms as part of the hotel operation duties, to help with the final phases of the finishing and fit-out works. The job immediately drew me in. Despite the intensity and the challenges, the adrenaline and finally seeing the project materialise was extremely satisfying. At the end I did not think twice, and I have not looked back.

When was your first time on a construction site?

I was quite young when I used to accompany my dad around sites, eager to spend time with him and enjoying the change of scene from my weekly school routine.

In the years that followed, the first real site I worked on, was at The Palace where I was responsible for the completion of new guest rooms as well as the complete fit-out of the top floor restaurant. I just had three months to make the areas habitable and ready for use. I vividly recall standing in this open space which was nothing but bricks and concrete. It was a daunting start but an excellent experience on which I kick-started my career.

How does it feel to work in a mostly male-dominated industry?

In the early days I remember it was challenging for me to stand my ground and I had to prove my worth more than others – not just for being a woman but also for being the boss’ daughter. By time I earned the respect of my colleagues and peers, through professionalism, expertise and the right attitude. And well, grind and sheer determination too.

Can you tell us more about the mason course and what compelled you to do it?

Well for those who know me, know that I am not one to shy away from any task. During one of the conferences on the industry where I was advocating for contractor licensing, a contractor asked a question to a panellist; ‘’Having no contractor license prevents me from working as a contractor but if I have a builders’ license, am I allowed to work and hire others?’’  And the answer was yes.

Having already managed AX Construction for a number of years, I found the answer absurd and realized that to manage the company I would need a builder’s license.

A month after I applied for the course. To be honest the journey was much more enriching and insightful than when I set out to do it, and today I am grateful I did it all.

There are a lot of outdated perceptions that might keep women away from the construction industry. What is your experience of this?

In recent years I have seen a higher percentage of women join the industry, as architects, engineers, surveyors, project managers, site supervisors, consultants and contractors. The sector is wide and there is so much scope for more women coming on board as both skilled workers and professionals. I believe we have a responsibility to change this perception. At AX Group, diversity and inclusion are core values and we encourage women to work towards achieving their dreams and career plans in any field.

How can entities improve the representation of women in this sector?

Education has an important role to play on two fronts. The first is to educate workers and professionals in the industry to improve the image and safety standards of the industry. That on its own will make the industry more appealing. Secondly, exposing particular roles to girls at a young age at school will make these jobs more approachable and reachable.

What are the most exciting moments of working in the field?

The adrenaline rush. And seeing a project grow from a dream, to an idea, onto a plan, and then its execution. And after blood, sweat and tears, it’s done. The most satisfying moment of all is sitting down among the end users in the space you once dreamed of and that you played a key role in; among workers in an office block, employees in a new hotel or tourists enjoying afternoon tea in a newly transformed space.

Which of your projects is most meaningful to you?

The Palace will always be my number one, much like a first love! But my true learning curve and baptism of fire remains working on the new Parliament Building. Not only was it my first holistic project but it also set new benchmarks in local construction management.

Who were your role-models throughout this journey and which valuable advice did you heed to build your career?

My father is my ultimate role model. He has taught me that everything is possible. He always supported me in all my dreams from a very young age. His most valuable advice was to treat your job as an interest, almost as a hobby and to enjoy every moment. I also collaborated with an English woman, a project manager whose composure, strength and convictions were so powerful and admirable that she impressed me greatly as a young woman starting off into the big world of construction. Her aura still inspires me today.

Will you introduce your daughters to the industry, in hope that they will follow in your footsteps?

I will always encourage my girls to follow their dreams and work hard to reach them – no matter what they are. And I will make sure they get a good education, good core values and life skills so that they are able to make their own decisions and choose what is right for them. Having said that if you ask one of my daughters today what she wants to do when older, she will probably say a builder or an architect, because she is exposed to these roles through me. But I will always remind them that they can do anything they want if they set their mind to it.

 

 

 

 

AX Hotels Sliema Got Talent

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Oftentimes, work takes priority over everything else in our lives. The passion to succeed in our career can push us to forget other important aspects in life, including our own mental and physical well-being. That’s why it’s vital to have activities outside of work which ensure that we embrace a harmonious work-life balance. Although it is sometimes difficult to do so, it is always possible.

Andy Tanti, Our Director of Sales at AX The Palace, proves that if there’s a will, there’s a way. Apart from fulfilling a very challenging role at work, handling familial responsibilities, and reading for a Master’s Degree, Andy has also taken on coaching U6 children at the Mellieha Football School. Take a look at what he has to say about taking on this enjoyable but challenging role.

 

Why specifically football?

“I started playing football with my hometown club Rabat when I was six or seven years old, eventually leaving the club to pursue my career in hospitality. I cannot say that football is my favourite sport; that spot is dedicated to water sports. However, over the years, I have followed club and international football, and eventually, when my boys started playing, I was hooked again.”

 

How long have you been coaching?

“I have just started my second season coaching at the Mellieha Football School. During my first season, I was an assistant coach with the Under-8 team. This season, I’m coaching the Under-6 group. At this age, it is important to support their development through exciting and enjoyable training sessions that promote involvement and encourage kids to fall in love with playing football. My goal is to instil a sense of team spirit, collaboration, and the ability to deal with different and challenging situations whilst promoting children’s creativity and skills.”

 

What inspired you to start coaching children?

“I wanted to help my boys, Xandru, who is nine, and Gianni, seven, improve their skills and technique. So essentially, I started coaching to be able to help them. Luckily, my girls, Emma and Nina (I have four kids), did not ask me to help them with singing, dancing, or ballet!”

 

How do you juggle your time between family, work, studying, and coaching?

“It’s a daily challenge to balance everything whilst allowing enough time for my family and myself. My typical day, including weekends, starts at 5.30am to work on my Master’s Degree thesis for about 2 hours, have a quick breakfast, get ready, and leave home for work by 8am. The workday can be rather intensive, but at the same time gratifying. I try to leave the office by 6pm, which gives me enough time for an end-of-day swim at Xemxija, where I spend most of my summer evenings with my family. I coach on Mondays and Saturdays and play 5-a-side football on Wednesdays and Friday evenings. My children’s extracurricular activities generally take up every other minute during the day!”

 

Sports and extracurricular activities are very important, and children can be quite a handful! How do you personally benefit from this important role you were entrusted with?

“I have 14 kids in my U6 team. Keeping their attention while explaining different exercises and ensuring that they perform those same exercises correctly is a daunting task. It certainly takes a lot of patience – in fact, I had never imagined having that much patience! Coaching and playing football allows me to switch-off work and everything else for a couple of hours. Apart from the physical benefits, it’s a unique opportunity to take care of my mental health.”

 

What’s your advice to anyone out there who finds it difficult to juggle work and extracurricular activities?

“Maintaining a balance between work and non-work activities is essential for our mental well-being. I have learnt to manage my time better by colour-coding my daily calendar, so it becomes easy to identify time slots I can dedicate to myself. It is easy to fall into a vicious trap where you try to convince yourself you don’t have time or cannot do something. So start, give it your very best shot, do everything with passion, and time will find you.”

 

 

 

Cultivating a Knowledge Sharing Culture

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During the month of September 2022, a workshop was held between the IT department and the Business Transformation Unit, along with AX Group CEO Mr. Michael Warrington and AX Group CFO Mr. Albert Bonello. Throughout the session, numerous suggested projects and incentives have been presented and discussed. Various subjects, including cyber security, networking, cloud & hardware infrastructure, and internal/external user experience, have been covered.

During the workshop, team members provided more innovative ways of improving and introducing new technologies in order to give our employees the most effective tools. However, evaluating the effects of these technologies on our clients and residents. Thus, integrating the needs of our internal employees with those of our customers.

 

What collaboration means in information technology?

 

In the context of information technology, collaboration refers to any circumstance in which numerous participants (individuals, teams, or departments) work together to accomplish a common objective. Collaboration between the IT Department and the Business Transformation

department entails keeping business leaders, stakeholders, strategic partners, and IT teams engaged in order to create business results, effective collaboration, and efficient project management.

The IT Department and the Business Transformation department are committed to working together to help the team achieve a shared mission.

 

 

Cultural Integration at AX Construction

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With one in five of Malta’s population being an expat, the country has become a veritable melting pot of cultures. Historically the Island has welcomed people from all corners of the world and foreigners have long come to our shores to seek a better future for themselves and their families.

Due to the global movement of people has now increased rapidly due to significant geo-political shifts, volatile economies as well as restrictions to personal liberties and poor handling of health care during the pandemic.  These reasons are only a few that are making more and more people consider moving to other countries where they can find better prospects and lifestyles than in their country of origin.

This influx of foreign workers into Malta is helping the country fill lacunae in many industries that keep the economy going. Their contribution is valuable to the local fabric in more ways than one. A country can only gain from having a population rich in diversity, in cultures, religions and traditions, helping to sow a mindset that allows different life perspectives, histories and experiences.

Cultural integration does not happen automatically and places of work need to not only be aware and acknowledge the many interactions at play when different people from various countries come together. They also need to proactively put conditions in place that enable acceptance and integration.

At AX Construction, a staggering 246 from 281 employees are non-Maltese with the majority hailing from India, Serbia, Pakistan, Albania, Turkey and Morocco. To successfully manage such a diverse workforce, in addition to ensuring an organisational culture that’s inclusive and that draws on the strength of this diversity, AX Construction has strengthened its people strategy through a number of measures. Brandon Lee Magri, Construction HR Manager explains how.

 

Healthy communication practices

“For starters we enjoy an open-door policy,” explains Brandon. “This enables good communication across the board, but it especially encourages healthy interactions with management, so that any issues are nipped in the bud and people feel their feedback and opinion is valued. Which they are.”

“Open door measures also go a long way towards getting to know your team as individuals, what drives them and what motivates them.” This becomes more important when the people on your team hold different values and perspectives. It helps you challenge your assumptions and not take things for granted.”

Part of the communication flow at AX Construction also involves getting feedback in project post-mortem exercises that enables management to understand what was a success and what went wrong so that the team can always improve on the already high benchmarks set at the company.

“It is also crucial to imbue in each individual on the team the same professional standards and values that the Group is renowned for,” continued Mr Magri. “This ensures everybody on the team is well placed to perform as best as they can, leaving nobody out.”

Language barriers are a reality, even when English is widely spoken, as misunderstandings are not rare between a multi-cultural team. “We are blessed with loyal employees who have been with us for years,” continued Mr Magri. “These employees act as mentors to new ones on board who, despite the differences, learn the ropes from those already on the job, and who know what works and the best practices to instil in a very clear way. This in itself makes up for the challenge of language barriers.  Of course, we encourage employees to learn English, organise English courses from time to time, and along the years, there are some that have even leart Maltese on their own steam. When people are motivated, the language barriers melt rapidly.”

 

Religious diversity

AX Construction is fully supportive of religious feasts and events. Management understands employees who ask for vacation leave during Ramadan or the Orthodox Christmas and that they may need to leave the site to pray. “Indeed, this has an impact on our operations but we do our best to accommodate requests that enable people to live their cultures in our country.”

 

Building a team

Team building becomes of greater importance when the team is multi-cultural. “Getting to know each other away from the office is important for us as this is when most significant social interactions happen,” continued Mr Magri. “For this reason, we regularly organise team building activities that help us bond and learn how best to acknowledge each other’s strengths when working together.”

People development

At AX Construction, an employee reward system doesn’t just take into consideration a financial reward, but eyes a sustainable exercise of training and career development. “Some employees could only do steel fixing when they started. Now, they have learnt other skills like stone and brick laying, or restoration techniques. This ensures employees are able to progress in their careers at AX Construction.”

The result is a loyal employee base, some of whom have been with the company for years.

“Awarding our employees is an important policy at AX Construction that helps employees feel acknowledged and appreciated. But even more important is the investment in our people. Couple these with making people feel empowered and giving them room for growth, and you have a winning formula for people retention and becoming an employer of choice.”

Learning Opportunities Present Themselves on a Daily Basis

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Reminiscing about my first few days on the job, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of support I received from AX Group in the form of orientation, training, and regular follow up.

 

For the past four years, I’ve been working at AX Group, and during that time, I’ve achieved tremendous growth on both a personal and a professional level. The attitudes of each and every colleague at AX Group is one of the things that has the most impact on me. I am always able to witness a strong sense of determination and loyalty to the company. AX Group recognised my talent and enabled me to develop it by giving me more responsibility and latitude to embark on challenging new initiatives. As an IT professional, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on numerous projects and make new contacts with peers across all sectors within the Group.

 

After starting off as an IT Project Coordinator, I worked my way up through the ranks to become the Business Transformation Manager for our Business Transformation department. As a company, AX Group is renowned for its creativity, high quality, and stringent standards. Being creative and innovative brings change, and the Company’s culture reflects this. With the continuous advances in technology, a changing workforce, and competitive pressures drive us to take on new challenges and manage change.

 

The department I work in is responsible in implementing technological initiatives that improve the company’s day-to-day operations and long-term goals. In my opinion, it serves as a vital connection between the executive vision and the actual work of the organisation. When one has the opportunity to work with such a remarkable group of people, going to work each day is a pleasure.  Every day at work, I am presented with new chances to develop professionally and intellectually, both of which are rewarding for me. My co-workers are some of the most interesting, bright, and dedicated individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of interacting with, and as a team, we’ve contributed greatly to the improvement of our company.

 

“We tend to question the way things are done now to see if they can be automated or made more efficient” In my opinion, one of the most important factors in the Group’s ability to implement successful IT systems was the engagement of stakeholders through the use of good communication.

A Job you Love is a Career for Life

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There’s a popular quote I like that says: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” And as I reflect on almost 25 years of working with AX Hotels, I can safely say that the entire journey has been much more than a job to me. It’s been an integral part of my life that has allowed me to form lifelong friendships and has given me a sense of purpose and direction in my career.

My journey with AX Hotels began as a summer job back in 1996, when I was just 18. I joined the Suncrest Hotel as part of their Front Office team. Back then, my German language knowledge was a much sought-after skill due to hotel’s dependence on the German market.

I truly loved my first summer job at the Suncrest, working within a much-loved hotel right on Qawra’s busy seafront and having the opportunity to meet and greet hundreds of happy tourists visiting Malta. In fact, I loved that job so much that, as that summer came to an end, I took the decision to officially pursue a career in the tourism industry and enrolled in a further education course in tourism studies. Without ever planning it to be, the Suncrest was the beginning of my career in tourism.

Not only did AX Hotels provide me with a steady job throughout my studies, but they even offered to sponsor my education. It was a huge honour and a gesture which I am still grateful for to this day. During this time, I was also given the opportunity to work in all the different departments around the Suncrest to gain as much experience as possible. I worked in food and beverage, banqueting, cashiering, front office, and even housekeeping. All in all, this was a unique first-hand foundation course in what it takes to work in a first-class hotel, and I still carry those lessons with me today.

After a brief stint working in other areas of the local tourism sector, I re-joined the Suncrest as a Sales & Marketing executive a couple years after graduating. I received such a warm welcome back from the entire team, that it felt like a true homecoming, and I knew this was where I truly belonged.

I took every opportunity I could to learn from my superiors over the next few years. Each lesson equipped me with greater knowledge, skills, and experience to take on more levels of responsibility within the hotel. Eventually, I was thrilled to be offered the chance to set up and lead the Events department.

My responsibilities continued to grow and evolve as the resort rebranded as the AX Seashells Resort. The resort also expanded to include several new facilities, including the Tal-Kaptan restaurant, the Cheeky Monkey Gastropub, the Luzzu restaurant, among others. As such, I headed up a growing team under the Events department and helped establish new processes and procedures to increase the hotel’s revenue and business. I also completed several more training programmes to take my career to the next level, eventually taking the decision to enrol in a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management. Here again, the management team and my colleagues were super supportive and continued to provide me with the guidance and room to flourish and become a proud Events Sales Manager.

There’s perhaps no better indicator of how well a company treats its people than when times get tough. During the pandemic, despite travel restrictions cutting off most of the hotel’s revenue for months on end, management continued to support all of us at AX Seashells. With events and functions at an all-time low, I was entrusted to take over the Front Office department where I had the opportunity to actively help the hotel and my colleagues pull through this challenging period.

And despite the industry-wide setbacks at this time, my colleagues and I had great confidence that the AX Hotels spirit would ensure we would emerge stronger. This was confirmed when we heard the surprise announcement that Mr Xuereb and the Group were going to embark on a major and complete makeover of the Seashells hotel. This was a huge boost to the morale of the entire team and was proof that AX Hotels was continuing to move ahead with vision.

As any hospitality professional will tell you, it’s not every day that you get the opportunity to form part of the launch of a new hotel opening. So, I truly consider myself lucky to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I also secretly hoped that this new hotel project would offer yet another opportunity for change in my career. And not before long, my wish was answered when I was asked to set up and lead the Guest Relations Department, a department which is integral to the overall success of the hotel. It’s a responsibility that I cherish and take extremely seriously.

From my first summer job through to the new challenges ahead, my career at AX Hotels has given me the rare opportunity to belong to something big, to be part of an established and respected company, and to form lifelong friendships that I treasure. It’s hugely inspiring and rewarding to work for a hotel that continues to push forward in order to remain relevant on every front. On top of the upcoming redevelopment of AX Seashells, I’ve particularly enjoyed being part of the Sustainable Tourism Committee with a vision of leading the Group to future sustainable practices.

I couldn’t recommend working with AX Hotels enough. Whether you’re just joining our family or have been part of the team for a while, I believe that here you’ll have a job for life with countless opportunities to improve your skills, learn more about the industry, and take on new challenges, just as I have.

All you need on this journey is a few time-tested qualities which I’d like to recommend:

  1. Communicate with your management and teams effectively and don’t be afraid to reach out for guidance.
  2. Always be kind and generous to your colleagues and never underestimate the power of teamwork.
  3. Remain determined despite any challenges that may come your way and know that management are there to support you.
  4. Seize any opportunity you get to further your education and improve your skills in what you love to do.

And above all else, I would recommend taking pride in yourself and your job. I believe this is the single most quality that will guide you forward and give you the greatest satisfaction in your career.