IN THIS ISSUE 3. Company News 8. FTI News 9. Motivational Qoute 10. Employee Milestones 11. A Little Ray of Sunshine 11. Sports and Social Commitee 12. A typical day with... 14. Put Your Mask On 15. Thank you
Company News Cheers! To the greatest dad Cheers for all the times you stood by us, for all the times you worked extra hours for your family, for all the laughter, but most of all for all the love you have shown us. To celebrate this special day, all of our in-house dads found a chillaxing bottle of beer waiting for them on their desk, first thing when they got to the office (of course to enjoy at home while unwinding with their families).
This is What it Takes Have you ever wondered what’s the work behind the courses you attend on NEST? It’s more complex than it looks! The initial step is the ‘Decision from multiple stakeholders’, on the course to create and to quantify the work required to put such course together. This then leads to four different phases mainly: Phase one: Analysis, Phase: two Documentation, Phase three: Design, and Phase four (the last phase): Review and Adjustments. During all stages there is constant communications and feedback with different stakeholders to make sure that we are in line with the process. Did you know?... the team uses specific tools and programs to create interactive courses to be compatible with NEST, such as Storyline and Rise, part of the Articulate applications. Last but not least, once course is created it is uploaded into our own training platform called ‘NEST’. We take this opportunity to thank the ‘Process, Management and Training’ team for their hard work and dedication in making sure they take the Company’s training to the next level.
Company News | THE VOICE | 3
Company News An Introduction to Microsoft New Application Tool Launched!Teams In the past months, the ‘Process and Software Development (PSD)’ team, has continued its drive for improvement and automation, with a new application tool, Innovation Hub, being released. This new process will involve all the staff within the Company, in particularly those which are actually hands-on the job. This tool helps facilitate communication of ideas across the entire Company. Innovation Hub will have a twofold scope: •Capturing all ideas which can improve our day-today tasks. •Keeping all company staff up to date with all development work done in the PSD team. The application can now be accessed from Webapps portal. We urge all staff members to make use of this new tool and remember that there is no such thing as a stupid idea!
Access tool on the Webapps portal
Soft Skills Training Enterprise Agility and Change Management During the past weeks, FTIAS has conducted an instructor-led training about ‘Enterprise Agility and Change Management’ which was delivered by the PWC Training Academy to all staff members. The instructor-led training took place outside the office at the beautiful premises of Chateau Buskett in Rabat, Malta. The training covered the following main topics: ● Enterprise Agility ● Reinventing organisations - The ATOM model ● The 3 laws of Enterprise Agility ● Difference in “doing” vs “being” Agile ● Navigating the six paradoxes of Leadership FTIAS looks forward to do and be the change. Always improving and becoming more efficient.
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On the left: One of our staff members, Vanessa Falzon discussing some the pillars mentioned during the training sessions.
Company News Colleagues from Head Office Visit our Offices Between the 23rd and 25th of June, FTI Group Chief Technology Officer, Torsten Lampe, Meeting Point International (MPI) Commercial Manager, Andrea Gunz, FTI Head of PM/ BO of Arkadia Accomodation, Florian Hubner, MPI BCC Instructional Designer, Konstantina Georga, and MPI BCC Business owner Arkadia IDS, Vasilis Tsoligkas, visited our offices, at SmartCity Malta, for various business meetings with the MPI Business Competence Centre. During their stay, various meetings were set in relation to several topics related to Arkadia, Tour Operator 2.0, and Group vision for the future. In addition, a retrospective workshop was organised to build up the team’s objectives for the coming year, together with other meetings with FTIAS and Meeting Point Malta Management.
The Meeting Point International BCC, during a get together at the Labranda Riviera Hotel, Malta. Company News | THE VOICE | 7
FTI News Getting Back to Normality Follow-up report on the video update with FTI Group Managing Director Ralph Schiller. At the beginning of June, Ralph Schiller had informed the FTI Group about the current business situation. Since then we have seen a strong positive trend, starting from the Corona numbers in Germany (which have been falling significantly) and continuing with the progress in the exemplary vaccination setup. Both have a noticeable effect on the willingness to book vacations. The quarantine rule after returning from vacation influenced our bookings as well, so business is picking up again. “Business is picking up. The omens are very positive. It is important to seize the moment! If we all stand together now and tackle it, it can be a great summer. Let’s step on the gas pedal together! “ stated, Ralph Shiller.
Ralph Schiller filming the last video update for all staff members.
Broad Portfolio for a Huge Number of Bookings on Holidays in Turkey It’s a re-start! Turkey does not have any quarantine restrictions after returning home. FTI is gradually opening all hotels and securing an extensive range of flights for summer and autumn in Turkey. FTI Group Head of Destination Turkey, Hicabi Ayhan, sees the new resolutions as an important step forward. “The entire industry is pleased that traveling to one of the German’s favourite destinations is now becoming restriction free. We are well prepared and have already opened all hotels from our portfolio in the coastal regions that are particularly popular with regular guests.”
One of the FTI Groups’ major resorts in Turkey 8 | THE VOICE | FTI News
Due to the vastness of many resorts, the implementation of social distancing is easy to keep per se and offers enough space for vacationers who long for relaxation at the pool and beach. Even for summer trips planned at short notice, FTI offers a wide range of options at a very good price-performance ratio.
“You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” George Lorimer
Motivational Qoute | THE VOICE | 9
Employee Milestone by Sarah Agius
“Hey! I am Sarah Agius. I joined FTIAS almost 11 years ago, starting as an Invoice Processing Clerk and progressing up till the role of the Supplier Relations Specialist within the FTI Supplier Relations team.Year 2020 was very challenging for the whole world and therefore being part of it, I had my obstacles to overcome. I have recently bought an old house which I am refurbishing. Some of the hurdles were; to cope with this personal project, especially due to many postponements stemming from lack of skilled labourers as a repercussion of the pandemic. Of course this project consumed a lot of my time and energy which I focused heavily on after working hours. My hobbies are events planning, which unfortunately as per mentioned personal project, had to be pushed further down within my priority list. I form part of the Naxxar Band Club Youth Committee where we organise events, set meetings, and fund raising initiatives in preparation for the traditional feast. I also form part of Karibu which is a voluntary organisation, supporting in the building of schools and sponsoring education in Kenya and Zambia. I had the opportunity to work hands on in these destinations and gain first-hand experience which I can say they enriched my personal skills. Also, I am fond of Accounting and therefore also decided to study it professionally. So I embarked on the ACCA journey, which goes without saying; this consumed my remaining free time. After a year within this course, I can admit it is very challenging but rewarding. Obviously, studying is always a challenge, especially during these times, where everything has to be done online and thus no contact with lecturers or other fellow students; which is not my preferred learning style. I also try to find time to practise my favourite relaxing hobbies; which are mainly, baking and photography. These enable me to relax whilst also be productive. My belief is that “no pain no gain” and therefore I try to continuously challenge myself to improve and do better, in whatever I do. I strongly believe in lifelong learning, without referring only to academic subjects. So with these thoughts and drive, I keep on going.
10 | THE VOICE | Employee Milestone 10 | THE VOICE | Employee Motivation
(On the left: Daniel during one of the running competitions organised here in Malta.)
A Little Ray of Sunshine Following the Company’s CSR plan for this year, the Operations Support Team chose Animal Guardians Malta who need our support! This is a call out for all staff members to do our part and help through any of the following:•Donating any unwanted / used items which are still in good condition to be sold. •Donating any cushions / sheets / blankets which will be used by the sanctuary. •Donating any funds which one affords. •Donating cat food – Princess grain free or Royal Canin mother and baby. All items will be collected at the Operations support Office in Level 7 by not later than the 7th of July 2021.
Sports and Social Committee
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Don’t miss out on something really good! th Mark the 19 of July as working from office.
A Little Ray of Sunshine / Sports and Social Committee| THE VOICE | 11
A Typical D
Sean C Head of o
For the month of June, we meet Meeting Point Malta Head of Operations, Sean Cachia, giving us the oppo
Sean has been with the Company since February 2020, right on time for Covid-19 he said, however life ha time for him to wake up the others (his little ones Maya and Michael). Then, it’s duty time! He starts dressing the kids and also preparing their breakfasts and lunches for the day. the children to the pickup point to leave off for school and it’s time for his own day.
Keeping himself fit helps, so when back home he exercises for at least 45 minutes either a nice walk in his His usual work routine starts from checking his mail and prioritise work. It is quite different from a day to a according the operations’ needs and requirements such as a resort complaint which takes priority over any gratefully everything is going back to normality bits by bits. It takes around 5:00pm until he leaves office and and bedtime time. During the weekend it is another story. He is more chilled but still acts like a taxi driver fo Saturday afternoon is family time, it is very important for him to spend time with his wife and children as due or join together with other families.
With regards to hobbies, Sean has always been a football fan until he got his knee injured but always supp together with his father. For him, football is a passion and he loves watching his boy continue this love for universe is yours”.
12 | THE VOICE | A Typical Day with...
Day with...
Cachia operations
ortunity to get to know him better and discover his routine on a daily basis.
as to go on and he has been part of the Company ever since. He usually wakes up at 6:00 am, and then it’s
. This depends if his wife, Agata, is at home because then the hectic morning load is shared. He then drives
own village in Ghargur or else a nice online yoga session at home. Shower, breakfast and let’s go to work! another and this all depends if there are certain urgencies that needs to be taken care of. He has to adapt y work. Since Covid-19 had ruined many travelling plans all around the world, work had changed for him but off to pick the little ones again. Back home, assisting in homework, some free time playing with their tablets, or all of his children activities. Maya has basketball and Mikiel football, thank god he found same timeslots! e to a busy life nowadays it is harder to spend time together. Sundays are beach days either the four of them
ported Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. Back when he used to live in London, it was a thrill to attend football games r soccer. We close of by discussing his life moto, from the 13th Century and poet Rumi, “Shine like whole
Put Your Mask On Janice Buhagiar part of the Youtravel team. “In 2008, I left our tiny island and my family to go and join Emirates as a cabin crew. This was the beginning of a new adventure that opened up a whole new world to me, a world of travelling!! Emirates offered me the opportunity to travel around the world, meet new people and get to know their customs, habits, and traditions. What a colourful world it is !! A world made up of seven continents, all different, all unique with their own kind of charm, which made me appreciate the true beauty of earth. This job infused me with love for travelling. Well, I still have to pay to travel now since I am no longer a cabin crew but what a joy it is to get on a plane and take off to a new destination. I still get a thrill every time I board a plane and there are so many more places that I’d like to visit. Top on my bucket list is Sao Miguel Island near Portugal and Alaska. Unfortunately, my plans had to stay on hold for the past year because of the pandemic. This only made me yearn to travel more and appreciate how fortunate we are to be able to do so.”
Janice Buhagiar together with Maasai Mara tribes in Kenia, Africa.
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Special Thanks to Kevin Paris - Chief Executive Officer Alexander Barbara - Newsletter Editor Rachel Falzon - Newsletter Co-ordinator Sarah Agius Samantha Bugeja Janice Buhagiar AnnMarie Buhagiar Sean Cachia Vincent Ciantar Brendan Curmi Stuart Farrugia Katharina Frick Jessica Frendo Cumbo Romina Psaila
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