Event Date: 22 September 2009
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Conference Documents:
"Yes We Will!"
THE HOUSEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
Hospitality Housekeepers making a difference for 2010 and beyond
When Danny Jordaan, head of the South African 2010 World Cup organising committee, visited France in March this year, he said that he wanted to transform people’s ‘world view’ of Africa, through the staging of a successful tournament.
He said the event would be an opportunity “to change people’s perception of the African continent. We have to see Africa as a continent for investment in tourism and trade”.
Obviously easier said than done! Germany saw the same opportunity when the 2006 World Cup was handed to them and boy, did they grab it with both hands! “From humourless to carefree in 30 days” and “Proud to be a Kraut” were just some of the headlines after Germany had hosted, arguably, the finest soccer tournament of all time.
How did they get it right? Well, in true German fashion, they planned, planned and planned! More than a year before the finals themselves, the country launched a partnership between government and business, called ‘Land of Ideas’. This partnership was to market Germany, not as a stereotyped ‘clinical, punctual, disciplined and efficient’ nation, but also as ‘innovative, modern, young, fun-loving and welcoming’.
Where did they start? They started with a programme aimed at changing the image (or in Danny Jordaan’s words ‘view’) of how Germans themselves, and the rest of the world, viewed Germany. To do this, they needed to change ‘behaviour’, which, obviously, meant capturing the hearts and souls of its people.
So, how does South Africa hope to transform people’s ‘world view’ of Africa (and indeed South Africa)? Sadly, very little marketing has been done to get the average South African excited and passionate about 2010 and what 2010 can do to revitalize the country and continent. This is where HASA (The Housekeepers Association of Southern Africa) has stepped in!
September 22 and 23 this year, HASA hosted its bi-annual conference at Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Resort in Kempton Park. The theme of the conference was ‘Yes We Will’. Taking the Obama cry of ‘Yes we can’ to the next level, the theme challenged us to not only have the potential to do something (we can), but to actually do it (we will!).
Taking a leaf out of the German success story, HASA has been way ahead of her peers in preparing for 2010. This 2009 conference was a follow-up on the immensely successful HASA conference held at Sun City in 2007 facilitated by Angela James of 7 Generations, Bev Muller and Greg Faasen of Goalgetters PTY Ltd, where the theme of ‘Towards 2010 and Beyond’ planted seeds of anticipation in the minds of all the housekeeping delegates, suppliers and hospitality guests who attended. In 2008, Gary Bailey spoke at one of the HASA’s quarterly functions. He gave an excellent overview on what 2010 will mean to South Africa.
The 2009 conference focused on the 3 words ‘YES”, ‘WE’ and ‘WILL’.
The ‘YES’ is all about ‘wanting to get out of bed in the morning’. It is a conscious choice and encompasses the ownership that each one of us will need to show, if 2010 is to be a sustainable success. It is all about ‘wanting’ to be the best.
HASA organised some compelling speakers, who took the delegates on inspirational journeys that started with the simple word ‘YES’.
‘WE’ is all about ‘who’ we need to interact with, to create something bigger than the result of just individual endeavor. So this is how we connect with ourselves, our family, our work team, our business, our community and our country. The WE is the understanding that we exist because of others and the understanding that 2010 will only be a success if we comprehend who the main role players are going to be during the event.
‘WILL’ is the actual ‘doing’ side of the three words. What is crucial here, is that the execution of a plan or task cannot happen if the initial ‘YES’ and ‘WE’ are excluded. You will enter into something with full determination and passion if you have made a conscious choice (YES) and see the bigger picture (or consequences) of your actions (WE).
In simple soccer terms, Bafana Bafana have a good chance of performing well if they follow the ‘YES WE WILL’ principle. YES – we have made a choice to play to the best of our abilities; we have made the choice to get to training on time and to iron out our personal weaknesses. WE – we know who makes up our team; their strengths and their weaknesses and we will care for and respect each member of the team. WILL – we are accountable for our actions, for our deliverables. We will not break our promises – we will deliver. This could apply to any business as well.
The HASA conference was all about what the housekeeping sector, within the hospitality industry, can do (and WILL do), to make sure that guests, fans, teams, officials and dignitaries have a great African experience, whilst staying at hotels and B&Bs during 2010. It also looked at the successes and challenges that were thrown up during the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Can we transform people’s world view of Africa? HASA believes we can and that the first step is to transform the way we see ourselves first – as professionals, as service entrepreneurs and as brand ambassadors - not only for South Africa, but to the industry we serve.
The HASA conference in September gave participants the opportunity to visit a soccer stadium and learn how the game is played and motivated and excited our people to exceeding expectations – YES WE WILL!
The slogan for 2010 is ‘Ke Nako’ – it is time.
Well, it is time - and
YES WE WILL!
Simone: 083 429 7926, email h.a.s.a@mweb.co.za
Click here to download your September 2009 Conference Post-Course Project.
