Rising Star Interview Tourism, Leisure & Hospitality
Focusing on Leadership Nadasen is inspired by seeing people grow and develop. “I believe that as leaders, we are accountable for creating an enabling environment for people to grow and flourish, both in their professional and personal lives,” he explains. “I measure my personal success against the value that I create by cultivating this enabling environment.” Giving back is important to Nadasen, and having spent the past three years completing his MBA through the University of Stellenbosch, he has regularly brought his learnings into the workplace to help develop others, often unbeknownst to his team. “Talent management is also high on my agenda,” he says. “I strive to create a high-
“This year – over and above talent development – I will be driving employee wellness.” As far as the tourism industry’s efforts to effect change in the broader talent development environment, Nadasen feels that a lot is being done, and is proud of the industry’s results thus far. “The private sector is very active in growing and developing their own talent, and I know of several companies that are working with business schools and higher education authorities to lift our strengths in the sector,” he says. “There are several government-driven initiatives – either through the Department
“I strive to create a high-performance culture and talent management is an integral part of this. It is said that talent always rises, and our ability to identify and nurture this from as early on as possible has a significant impact on our industry”
Ravi Nadasen 2013 Rising Star Tourism, Leisure & Hospitality Ravi Nadasen is Director of Operations: Central Northern Region at Tsogo Sun, and a former winner of the Rising Star Award in the Tourism category.
performance culture and talent management is an integral part of this. It is said that talent always rises, and our ability to identify and nurture this from as early on as possible has a significant impact on our industry.”
of Trade and Industry or the Department of Tourism – that also create opportunities to grow skills in our industry, and coupled with the private sector initiatives, provide a number of platforms for people to enhance their skills offering.”
Nadasen goes on to say that he is fortunate to be part of a group that takes talent management very seriously. “We have been running our Tsogo Sun Academy for nearly three years and it is a pivotal cog in developing our people both technically and in their leadership skills,” he explains.
One thing Nadasen does feel the industry can do better is work more at school level to raise the profile of the industry. “We need to make the hospitality and tourism industry a more desirable career choice,” he says. “Yes, it is an industry that can be hard work, but it offers the rewards of a
“These awards have gained significant traction as a notable honour in a very short space of time,” says Nadasen. “Receiving an award of this nature is therefore an honour, and a welcome recognition of accomplishment.” More importantly, however, from an industry perspective, Nadasen says that these awards recognise leaders, and as such have had an aspirational impact on the industry. “The programme has the ability to uplift and motivate people to strive for honours such as these, as well as create role models for up-and-coming talent to emulate,” he says. “This is important for industry growth, and for developing our future leaders.”
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Gareht Cliff MC’s the 2013 DHL Rising Star Awards
Rising Star Annual 1st Edition