For many visitors to Scotland, a cherished aspect of its hospitality is that it’s so inclusive, actively seeking to bring everyone into the warmest welcome.
It’s a quality that chimes well with Iain Jurgensen: as General Manager of Portavadie, the popular holiday accommodation overlooking Loch Fyne, he sees its raison d’etre as providing an “inclusive destination of choice in the west coast of Scotland” as opposed to an “exclusive resort”.
“It is my job to bring the ambition of Portavadie to life and to create the right environment, people and product to fully realise the potential being created here,” he says. “I often joke my title is General Manager but my role is to Generally Cope with this ambitious and transformational product that since day one has always been a privilege!”
Here he shares his own unique experiences of managing a multi-million pound resort and of working life in the Scottish hospitality industry.
What does your day bring?
“No two days are ever the same for me. I spin from design input, trouble shooting, facilities management, coach, web master, social media, operations, sales, marketing, product development, strategy, revenue forecasts, budgets . . .
Most importantly, however, I always make time to speak to the team and to our guests. They are the most important two things here at Portavadie, without which the legacy will not deliver.
The vision is extraordinary but we must never forget we are in the Hospitality business, a people business first and foremost so most days start and end this way with the other stuff filling the gaps.”
How fares the Hospitality sector?
“Recruitment for us is a 360-degree opportunity and obligation. We must develop a world-class product to reach out to the very best people.
Hospitality is a great industry; it puzzles me why in this day and age we as a society are dominated by service culture in our economic development and yet one of the longest standing and actually the most sustainable of sectors, hospitality and tourism is still not considered as career of choice!
There are few professions that offer such flexibility, such variety, satisfaction or long lasting memories and friendships.”
Hello, is it me you’re looking for?
“At Portavadie we are always on the lookout for talented individuals to take us further on our journey.
We try to recruit, retain and promote from within, and only bring in talent when our existing team development strategy requires a certain skill set to improve and take us forward.
The hospitality industry is a great place to move up the ladder quickly for those with drive and ambition.
I was very lucky to have had some great mentors – the trick is to realise they are having an extraordinary effect on your development and not just being a pain in the A$%!
I had a few in my life, from the early years with Nicolas Laurent at the Sheraton Grand Edinburgh, to Graeme Nesbitt ex of Cameron House and now regional GM with the Hotel Collection and, of course, Stephen Carter OBE.
However the onus is always on you. Nobody will ever do it for you.
So drive the business, make a difference, engage and be a solution finder, not a problem reporter – that way you gain trust as well as recognition.
Remember, too, that you do not always need to move to progress; help your managers and team leaders to know what your aspirations are and work with them to map out your progression.
You can achieve so much if you want to!”
Why here, why now?
“Scotland as a visitor destination is surely something to savour time and again – the food, the drink, the folk – but above all the friendships from experiences shared and memories forged.
So the question is do you want to play your part in turning these moments into memories and experience the rewards that come with working in such a diverse and vibrant industry? I do!”
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