2017: Checks and Balances

Today marks the end of the year 2017 and this means it's time to look back and reflect on the positives and negatives.

PROFESSIONALY

The year started very positive with the results of the DCC strategy at Transporta. Satisfaction was at an all time high, we were achieving our goals of answering in less than one minute, myself and Leonor Bravo were finally a fine tuned working team. Leonor gained her autonomy in terms of content production, assuring our daily publications for both GO>Express by Transporta and GO>Log.

We designed our Winter and Summer Campaigns and although results were not the best, looking back i couldn't be prouder of the gifts we designed.

News of the acquisition of Transporta came in April and anxiety set in. Scarce information made it even more difficult for all of us, workers, to perceive what the impact would be. What would be CTT's project? Would we be a part of it?

We kept our work as usual and results kept coming in, despite all difficulties that the company was having in assuring the 24h delivery time. We had more evaluations on Facebook and Portal da Queixa and we interacted more than ever with the final client.

It wasn't until after the summer that some light was given on the future of the company, and our own.

CTT decided to layoff all non-operational functions - Marketing (where i was), Quality, Finance, IT, HR & Sales. We were all informed that the future project wouldn't be needing with any of us and that they would focus solely on the operational side of Transporta.

After 3 years of hard work and full dedication to the Transporta project it had suddenly come to an end. It was time to move on and look for another project.

All the development in both HR (People Management) and Marketing led to a very clear path, my future had to be with Employer Branding. That was my goal. Unfortunately opportunities in this area of expertise are almost non-existent in Portugal.

I was fortunate to be contacted by an international headhunter and entered a marketing based recruitment process for an international company.

But it is said that one cannot fight destiny and after 2 interviews for that company i saw an opportunity at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, they were looking for someone to work their Employer Brand. I didn't think twice and applied. Two interviews with the new Director of Human Resources and three interviews with the General Manager and i was chosen for the role.

My first day was September, 1st and from then on i couldn't be happier with the choice i made. To develop a strategy from the ground up, in an amazing culture, with colleagues with the expertise we have available at the Ritz Four Seasons is more than i could have ever hoped.

PERSONALLY

The year of 2017 will be forever marked in my life as the year my second son was born. Can there be higher happiness?

Overall, not having any major health issues with me and my family, this was a very positive year.

2018 GOALS

To be in one of the best companies in the world means ambition needs to be high.

My professional goal for 2018 is to place Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon as a reference in terms of Candidate and Employee Experience.

More and better metrics focused on Time and Quality of answer.

I am looking forward the opportunity to finally create our Brand Ambassador program with my colleagues, assuring that they are not mere spectators but active actors within the Employer Branding strategy.

CONCLUSION

This is my personal reflection before the 2018 New Years Eve. Ambitious? Yes.

And you? Have you set your 2018 goals?

See you in the New Year!

Miguel Luís | Turning Good Companies Great

Disclosure: This article expresses my personal views and does not, in any way, represent the official understanding of the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon.