Q: Have you always wanted to work in the meetings industry?
Yes, absolutely. In my opinion the meeting industry is an extremely exciting, challenging yet rewarding industry. this is exactly what I want to do and hilton is exactly the place where I want to carry on with my career. hilton’s know-how, when it comes to the meeting industry, is huge andI keep witnessing my knowledge progress ever since I joined the chain.
Q: Why is your destination/country the best in the world?
Croatia has it all. I know it is a cliché to say it, but the beauty of our country is beyond belief. from the continental part of the country, which still needs to be introduced to a wider audience, to the peninsula of Istria, Plitvice national park, Zadar, Hvar and Dubrovnik, which needs no special introduction. I love my country and it excites me every time I go to a corner that I haven’t been before.
Q: What would be the first thing you would show to every visitor to your country?
I must say Dubrovnik, and not only because that is my home town. Dubrovnik is much more than a magnificent walled city. It is a perfect example of amazing Croatian heritage, balanced architecture, natural beauty and traditions that despite the challenges of modern world, are still very much vividly alive among locals.
Q: What was your star moment so far and your favourite project with which you would praise yourself ?
I would rather talk about star moments of the team to which I belong. I am extremely proud and delighted to be part of hilton cluster Sales team and to belong to both hilton hotels in Croatia; Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik and Doubletree by Hilton Zagreb. Our GM in Dubrovnik, Ms. Ruhsar Eryoner, this year won an award of the best GM of Hilton hotel in Europe region and the hotel itself was listed among the top luxury hotels on the world. Our GM in Zagreb Ms. Karin van den Berg has successfully opened the Doubleetree brand in Zagreb in a record time and run it with great results ever since. I call all of those star moments in which I do take part as well.
Q: What motivates you the most at work?
I am motivated by client’s feedback. when feedback is good I want to challenge my own ways and make it even better. In different situations I am motivated to make things right and provide value for client’s money. This is why I like hospitality and the meeting industry. Feedback is immediate and you know where you stand. My intentions are always to exceed expectations.
Q: In what ways do you deal with stress?
Firstly I don’t talk about stress. I’ve noticed that people tend to talk too much about stress, which inevitably makes them more stressful.
I work out, hike almost every weekend, read and meditate, but most of all I always keep a positive attitude towards all challenges coming my way.
Q: When were you last angry / disappointed and why?
I rarely get angry, but have to admit that I do get disappointed when business goes somewhere else. I rationalise and understand that no person closes every inquiry, but I still have a hard time to accept that something might be lost.
Q: What will be new in your business in 2014?
Hopefully many things: new clients, new tasks and new goals to reach them. and many new contracts signed….that helps a lot too.
Q: What have you learned in the last week?
Not so much learned, as reminded that assumptions cannot lead us to a success. rather than assuming the needs or requirements, one should qualify and be confident about them.
Q: Where will you spend your next holidays and why?
My next short holiday will be Tuscany, but a big voyage that I will be taking with my friends will be India. Why? To celebrate the fact that I live a happy life surrounded by amazing colleagues at Doubletree by Hilton Zagreb and Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, that my family is well and that I am grateful for the things coming my way. I believe India is a great place to celebrate all of the above in a ceremonial way.
Q: If there were no time and financial constraints, where would you go?
Definitely to a number of places…I would probably take a trip around the world and it would be longer than 80 days. On a serious note, traveling is the most rewarding activity one can imagine. I believe St. Augustine said the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.
Q: What would be the title of your life autobiography?
It would be a paraphrase of a great novel: Laugh, Eat, Love and then Laugh again……
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