The power of a smile

We are not surprised that Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has just topped the list of companies that people in the Middle East hospitality business would most like to work for.

For many customer-facing companies, their sole focus is on keeping their clients happy, because without them, you don’t have a business. That’s what brings in the profit, after all. But can it all just about the cash?

Consider the recent scrutiny around UK businessman Philip Green and his handling of the sale and subsequent failure of the BHS chain of stores. Much of the criticism has been around the impact on and treatment of staff.

On the other side of the coin, there is Four Seasons, a company that invests in its staff and sees them as an asset, supporting its teams and rewarding internal talent. Take the newly appointed President, Hotel Operations, EMEA Simon Casson. He’s a great example of how the company recognises the value of ‘growing their own’. Simon’s promotion is the culmination of 27 years working for Four Seasons in various roles across Europe, the Middle East and the United States.

Everyone knows that the success of a business is enhanced by the happiness of the employees and part of that comes down to how they feel in what they are wearing. Which is why we dedicated 1,000 hours of fitting and altering to ensure that staff not only looked good but felt comfortable in their uniforms.

Our professional relationship with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts goes back six years, and what has always worked for us is a shared vision of the best way to achieve a common goal. It’s about trust and an open attitude to solving challenges. Don’t get us wrong, team Four Seasons aren’t pussycats. They are tough, fair, focused and have high standards.

This holistic approach to business embraces the idea that motivating and enthusing everyone involved in a project achieves the best results, keeps staff retention high and celebrates creativity. Who can argue with that?