Hi All,
So I’ve finish my internship last Friday (I know I’m a bit late in my posts).
Like most of you I think I’m a bit sad to leave the corporate world but even more excited to start to work soon!!
During my last week my department was designing a questionnaire to be carried out among the employees of the 'Trou aux Biches’ Hotel. As I have said in one of my post, this hotel is being demolished so as to be rebuild into a completely new one which will have twice the actual capacity and will employ 200 to 300 new employees. This survey will be done among all the actual employees. One objective of this survey is to better define the different section of the new Human Resource policy for the new hotel, and to help the new employees to better integrate in the work with the old workforce. The survey will also help to create a global team building dynamics. This survey forms part of the internal communication of the company and I think they are doing an important job here. I don’t know if many companies would have done such amount of research to know the views of their employees. At the same time it is a crucial exercise as this will enable synergy to happen among the new and the previous employees, which is vital for an hotel employing up to 600 people. Communication is very important not only to better define the Human Resource policy but also to contribute to the fulfilment of its employees.
Actually NMH has neither mission nor vision or values; I was very surprised because it is a big company. However from what I have been able to notice the company have a very strong culture and the employees are very devoted to the company, they know what is expected from them. This I think is partly due to the strong internal communication, done among others through the newsletter; and policies such as the profit sharing scheme. Nevertheless one of its hotels, The Shandrani, has developed its vision, mission and values after a long process, from which a survey among its employees to know what they believe was their duty and principles.
From this survey the ‘Trou aux Biches’ hotel will also develop its own mission, vision and core values. The elaborations of such statements are very long and asked a lot of research work. I think this process is very important as they will truly reflect where not only the top management want to be, but where all the employees want to stand and it will reflect the real values of the company. However I wonder whether it want have been better for NMH to have only one vision and mission, and not to have a different vision and mission for each hotel; given they are all hotels evolving in the same industry. However each hotel may have a different way of functioning and different employees evolving in a different environment. What do you think? How is it in the company you work?
So from this month as intern at NMH I have learned a lot of thing, the prevailing one is that research is crucial. Knowing your public whether internal or external is vital to able to better understand their need and respond accordingly. Having work for the FED, the foundation of NMH,I think that if the company is really devoted to its CSR programmes and believe in it this will result in a win-win situation for the society and the company, and of course I have been able to notice that there is no better way of communication that Two-way communication.
I hope all of you are enjoying their internship, Good luck to you all!!!
Cheers
Jenna
Showing posts with label Jenna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jenna. Show all posts
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Corporate Social Responsibility
Hi everyone,
So I’ve I said in my last post, last week I had a better look at the CSR activities of the company. And I have been positively surprised.
The company is really engaged in CSR activities as it has created a foundation, the ‘Fondation Espoir Development’(FED), which is a separate entity directed by its own board of directors comprising people from NMH and external individuals. The foundation is not only giving money to NGO’s, beside it has its own CSR programs mainly centre on education and training as its guiding philosophy can be resumed by the Chinese proverb ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’.
Though the FED is a separate body it is closely link to the communication department which hold down the communication work; the department is actually doing the brochures, updating the website, organising events and so on. Last week I was actually redesigning the brochure and updating the website.
Another reason why the FED and the communication department are closely link is because my boss (the comm. Manager) is the chairman of the FED. The fact that it is the communication manager who is the chairman can bring a plus to the company as he will be more apt to promote the image of the company trough their CSR activities. As we have learnt in class it is important that the PR professional is assigned to a top management role in the company. (I don’t dissociate the communication manager and the PR one as from what I’ve been able to observed they endorse the same role, if someone can explain to me the difference, you are welcome!!!)
The FED is celebrating its 10 years of existence this year and the company had planned to organise a major event. However because of the financial crisis, though the CSR budget had not been reduced, the priorities has changed and they are planning to organise a less grandiose event which of course mean less media coverage and positive publicity for the company. I think however that they are right as organising a pompous event those days may be seen as superficial particularly for a foundation, and this could have created negative publicity. However the timeframe is crucial and it’s not before at least 5years that the company will be able to organise a big event celebrating its years of existence. What do you think is the best solution? Organise an event as each year for the 10years?
As we have learnt the newsworthiness of the event is crucial and for me, the FED must organise an event that is newsworthy enough to create a buzz around the 10years while not being pretentious. They must not organise the same stuff as before, the event must be imaginative, and this for me is the most difficult part of the job!
This week is my last week and I am surprised to learn new things everyday. Its very interesting to see how to put into practice all what we have learnt
Hope you too are enjoying!!!
So I’ve I said in my last post, last week I had a better look at the CSR activities of the company. And I have been positively surprised.
The company is really engaged in CSR activities as it has created a foundation, the ‘Fondation Espoir Development’(FED), which is a separate entity directed by its own board of directors comprising people from NMH and external individuals. The foundation is not only giving money to NGO’s, beside it has its own CSR programs mainly centre on education and training as its guiding philosophy can be resumed by the Chinese proverb ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’.
Though the FED is a separate body it is closely link to the communication department which hold down the communication work; the department is actually doing the brochures, updating the website, organising events and so on. Last week I was actually redesigning the brochure and updating the website.
Another reason why the FED and the communication department are closely link is because my boss (the comm. Manager) is the chairman of the FED. The fact that it is the communication manager who is the chairman can bring a plus to the company as he will be more apt to promote the image of the company trough their CSR activities. As we have learnt in class it is important that the PR professional is assigned to a top management role in the company. (I don’t dissociate the communication manager and the PR one as from what I’ve been able to observed they endorse the same role, if someone can explain to me the difference, you are welcome!!!)
The FED is celebrating its 10 years of existence this year and the company had planned to organise a major event. However because of the financial crisis, though the CSR budget had not been reduced, the priorities has changed and they are planning to organise a less grandiose event which of course mean less media coverage and positive publicity for the company. I think however that they are right as organising a pompous event those days may be seen as superficial particularly for a foundation, and this could have created negative publicity. However the timeframe is crucial and it’s not before at least 5years that the company will be able to organise a big event celebrating its years of existence. What do you think is the best solution? Organise an event as each year for the 10years?
As we have learnt the newsworthiness of the event is crucial and for me, the FED must organise an event that is newsworthy enough to create a buzz around the 10years while not being pretentious. They must not organise the same stuff as before, the event must be imaginative, and this for me is the most difficult part of the job!
This week is my last week and I am surprised to learn new things everyday. Its very interesting to see how to put into practice all what we have learnt
Hope you too are enjoying!!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Research work before communication
Hi all,
One more week gone! And for me my work is becoming increasingly interesting.
This week my department was working on a communication plan for the future project as I was talking in my last post. The company is about to develop an Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) and a hotel in the west region of the island. We are working on the profile of the population of the region, as since being proactive is very important, the company is studying all the stakeholders and particularly those that may be opposed to the future project. In this case this may be fishermen since the project is situated on the beach. It is very interesting to see all the research undertaken even before starting the communication process; fortunately for me after 2yrs1/2 of Curtin courses I am used to research work. I believe that this is a very important step that need to be undertaken so as to better know to whom you are about to talk to, and more importantly what may be the future problems that may arise, and develop a plan accordingly.
The company needs also to do a social impact assessment of the project on the region and a social need analysis of the region; and develop accordingly CSR activities to help the population of the region. The investment is CSR activities are compulsory but it is to the company to develop activities that the regions call for. I was a bit septic on whether these big companies were really working for the need of the population. There have been some IRS project around the island and I doubt whether the population is really benefiting from it.
I have been very surprised to see that this was not the case for New Mauritius Hotel (NMH). Concerning the project they are really working on what the population need the most, even if that mean more work and more investment for the company. The company is very involved and for them CSR is not another tool to lure the population and have a good reputation. I am still very septic on all the CSR programs of companies, many for me are using it just as a tool and are not as devoted as they are saying. However I hope that more and more companies are moving to a sincere program, as these programs are just win-win, for the company and for the stakeholders.
This week I am going do have a broader look at NMH CSR program, being very sensitive to social problems am exited to know what they are doing and more importantly how they are communicating it!
Hope won’t be disappointed, tell you in my future post!!!
Jenna
One more week gone! And for me my work is becoming increasingly interesting.
This week my department was working on a communication plan for the future project as I was talking in my last post. The company is about to develop an Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) and a hotel in the west region of the island. We are working on the profile of the population of the region, as since being proactive is very important, the company is studying all the stakeholders and particularly those that may be opposed to the future project. In this case this may be fishermen since the project is situated on the beach. It is very interesting to see all the research undertaken even before starting the communication process; fortunately for me after 2yrs1/2 of Curtin courses I am used to research work. I believe that this is a very important step that need to be undertaken so as to better know to whom you are about to talk to, and more importantly what may be the future problems that may arise, and develop a plan accordingly.
The company needs also to do a social impact assessment of the project on the region and a social need analysis of the region; and develop accordingly CSR activities to help the population of the region. The investment is CSR activities are compulsory but it is to the company to develop activities that the regions call for. I was a bit septic on whether these big companies were really working for the need of the population. There have been some IRS project around the island and I doubt whether the population is really benefiting from it.
I have been very surprised to see that this was not the case for New Mauritius Hotel (NMH). Concerning the project they are really working on what the population need the most, even if that mean more work and more investment for the company. The company is very involved and for them CSR is not another tool to lure the population and have a good reputation. I am still very septic on all the CSR programs of companies, many for me are using it just as a tool and are not as devoted as they are saying. However I hope that more and more companies are moving to a sincere program, as these programs are just win-win, for the company and for the stakeholders.
This week I am going do have a broader look at NMH CSR program, being very sensitive to social problems am exited to know what they are doing and more importantly how they are communicating it!
Hope won’t be disappointed, tell you in my future post!!!
Jenna
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Concrete Public Communication
Hi everyone,
I am Jenna Rivalland from Charles Telfair Institiute (CTI) in Mauritius. I have started my internship the 19TH January, already two weeks gone, unfortunately because of internet problems it is my first post. I am actually intern at New Mauritius Hotel ltd at the communication department. New Mauritius Hotel has actually two division, Beachcomber hotels and Plaisance Catering ltd. Beachcomber hotels is a Mauritian company and is the leader of the hospitality industry in Mauritius, it owns and manages eight hotels in Mauritius and one in the Seychelles.
My first apprehension was whether I would be able to put all my theoretical knowledge into practice, since it was the communication department and not a PR department as such. This may sound a bit stupid since PR is communication with all the publics!!! I was very pleased to observe that the department deals with media relations, media clippings and monitoring and with the company newsletter. During my first two weeks I have been able to deal with two different publics, in fact the media and the employees.
New Mauritius Hotels have a fantastic newsletter, Beachnews, which they distribute to each employee and the media. For the company, particularly for the department it is more than a newsletter it is a way for everyone in the company to feel of kin. The newsletter is a bimonthly magazine relating the life of the company, its new projects and the life of each hotel. The company has a specific culture, that’s where all the theory about corporate culture and hofstede cultural dimension comes into practice. Everyone feels at home in the company, the atmosphere is very relax and friendly. For me this newsletter contribute a lot to this specific culture. I think that they have also created a good way to keep inform the media without having to sent media releases at all times, particularly when the information are not newsworthy. I don’t know what do you think about it? Is it the same where you are working?
I have been able to observe media relations and the company has very good relations with practically all the Mauritian media, being a small island there are few media to deal with. I think that the fact that two of my colleges are ex-journalist contributes a lot to this situation. For me networking in this industry is crucial, particularly in my country. I don’t know if where you are it is the same. Already two articles were published in the newspaper about the demolition/reconstruction of one of the oldest hotel of the group, The Trou aux Biches hotel. The happening was so newsworthy that one newspaper contacted the department to cover the event. I have deal with the journalist covering the event giving all the information necessary about the hotel and its history.
However one radio has communicated false information about the company, they inform that one of the company’s future project, namely an Integrated Resort Scheme and a hotel will be ready in 2010, while the opening is due in 2012. This information was even written black and white on the company’s website. This media has not even contacted the company to have information about the subject. I understand now why sometimes there are in conflict relationship with PR practitioners and the media. Fortunately this information was not detrimental to the company’s image but it could have been!
My first two weeks was very enriching particularly to see how the theory works in practice. I wish all of you are enjoying this experience.
For more information about Beachcomber look at this link http://www.beachcomber-hotels.com/destinations/
I am Jenna Rivalland from Charles Telfair Institiute (CTI) in Mauritius. I have started my internship the 19TH January, already two weeks gone, unfortunately because of internet problems it is my first post. I am actually intern at New Mauritius Hotel ltd at the communication department. New Mauritius Hotel has actually two division, Beachcomber hotels and Plaisance Catering ltd. Beachcomber hotels is a Mauritian company and is the leader of the hospitality industry in Mauritius, it owns and manages eight hotels in Mauritius and one in the Seychelles.
My first apprehension was whether I would be able to put all my theoretical knowledge into practice, since it was the communication department and not a PR department as such. This may sound a bit stupid since PR is communication with all the publics!!! I was very pleased to observe that the department deals with media relations, media clippings and monitoring and with the company newsletter. During my first two weeks I have been able to deal with two different publics, in fact the media and the employees.
New Mauritius Hotels have a fantastic newsletter, Beachnews, which they distribute to each employee and the media. For the company, particularly for the department it is more than a newsletter it is a way for everyone in the company to feel of kin. The newsletter is a bimonthly magazine relating the life of the company, its new projects and the life of each hotel. The company has a specific culture, that’s where all the theory about corporate culture and hofstede cultural dimension comes into practice. Everyone feels at home in the company, the atmosphere is very relax and friendly. For me this newsletter contribute a lot to this specific culture. I think that they have also created a good way to keep inform the media without having to sent media releases at all times, particularly when the information are not newsworthy. I don’t know what do you think about it? Is it the same where you are working?
I have been able to observe media relations and the company has very good relations with practically all the Mauritian media, being a small island there are few media to deal with. I think that the fact that two of my colleges are ex-journalist contributes a lot to this situation. For me networking in this industry is crucial, particularly in my country. I don’t know if where you are it is the same. Already two articles were published in the newspaper about the demolition/reconstruction of one of the oldest hotel of the group, The Trou aux Biches hotel. The happening was so newsworthy that one newspaper contacted the department to cover the event. I have deal with the journalist covering the event giving all the information necessary about the hotel and its history.
However one radio has communicated false information about the company, they inform that one of the company’s future project, namely an Integrated Resort Scheme and a hotel will be ready in 2010, while the opening is due in 2012. This information was even written black and white on the company’s website. This media has not even contacted the company to have information about the subject. I understand now why sometimes there are in conflict relationship with PR practitioners and the media. Fortunately this information was not detrimental to the company’s image but it could have been!
My first two weeks was very enriching particularly to see how the theory works in practice. I wish all of you are enjoying this experience.
For more information about Beachcomber look at this link http://www.beachcomber-hotels.com/destinations/
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