Wednesday, December 6, 2017

24 things When selling the Maldives...


The destination we all dream for, some of you sell

1. Maldives Government off day is Friday.
2. Working Hours are 9 am - 6pm.
3. Non-negotiable on payment policies.
4. Non-negotiable on cancelation policy.
5. Rates are higher November - April. (Winter)
6. Rates are lower May – October. (Summer)
7. Not a shopping Destination.
8. One Island One Resort.
9. Inter Resort transfers are via the Airport. Airport -> Resort 01 -> Airport -> Resort 02 -> Airport. (mostly)
10. Usual turnaround time of resorts on confirmation is 24H.
11. Availability of Maldives is always subject to change without prior notice, as they have less room counts and sold globally.
12. Speedboat resorts are only resorts within Male Atoll.
13. Seaplanes land on water, no they are not air conditioned, and yes they are very scenic.
14. How Domestic transfers work are; Land in International terminal, come out, walk to the domestic terminal, land in domestic airport, and take speedboat to the resort. Why take a speedboat after landing in the domestic airport? As the concept says One Island One Resort.
15. Airport is not in Male, it is in Hulhule Island. Male city is a boat ride (Dhoni) away from Hulhule.
16. No there are no cars in resorts.
17. Maldives is not very famous for its night life, but for its aquatic life, no there are no jungles or mountains (trekking).
18. Maldives resorts are very strict on their exclusivity agreements.
19. Maldives offers and rates, are mostly segmented market wise.
20. Maldives Resorts, it is always better to know client budget. Prices vary vastly even within a singular star category e.g.: 05 Star.
21. Male City Tour is done on foot.
22. Maldives for speedboat resorts, once check out they do not drop you straight to the airport till the time of your flight they keep you in the resort, you can pay and use their services. This is slightly different with seaplane and domestic flight as they have operating hours.
23. Seaplane timings are given the one day prior usually in the evening.
24. Maldives transfers are not arranged on times, but on International flight numbers.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Maldives

Friday, December 1, 2017

First came the floods, then came the cyclones – Sri Lanka



Sri Lanka has been the victim of floods, and now of cyclones now. Sri Lanka has been effected atleast by 03 natural disasters per year. This is the time for General Public and the Government to take precautions on a Disaster Management Crisis. Each natural disaster is sadly struck in the same given areas and districts, leaving 1000s displaced each time. The settling reoccurs in the same given areas, making them prone to the next natural disaster.

Sri Lanka took step number one where the Met Dept. issued a bad weather warning. This was not taken seriously by the General Public even though warned earlier, this includes me as well. This would be people losing trust in the system and not taking such statements seriously.

This is greatest of times for the Government or a Public entity to have an effective Disaster Management Crisis team which would be ready for action anytime the country needs.

Environmental disaster has had a frequency, it is high time we listened to Mother Nature and took the necessary precautions.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Tips for Presentations



Hi there,

  • Do not use technical jargon, talk common language. Make it simple for any laymen to understand the point you are trying to get through
  • Presentations should be about a DREAM, do not sell the common day to day. Make your idea sound like a dream, make the listener envision it want it.
  • Keep the slides simple, short. Do not bore the listeners, with current age the attention span of a human has reduced. Don’t capture them fast, they already have phased out.
  • Dress to impress, sorry your degrees, status, or your wallet is not what you it’s simply you. That’s presentation skill too is a requirement not only what you are about to explain.
  • Do not call anyone Sir or Madam, keep it Mr. or Ms. the moment you Call Sir you have already said you are inferior, no one takes anyone seriously unless from a point of authority.


Cheers!


LISWITH

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Ven. Ajahn Brahm; the Business Community and Professionals.



This is a short blog post, things I heard on my amazing experience listening to Ven. Ajahn Brahm.
There were certain things he explained which was valuable advice and eye openers wanted to share with you briefly my experience.

Have empathy towards your leader, you would not know not what that person of authority goes through. Would you be able to do or react the same in the same position?

Don't take decisions from a point of fear.

Teach yourself to go to work thinking of making another happy (smile, kindness, educate)

The boss is the bottom of an inversed pyramid, they are support system to all.

Amount of hours worked is not productivity, after a while the mind gets exhausted does not become productive. Hence rest whichever way you can take a break.

For innovation to happen sometimes ideas should come from other mindsets than from the same trade. Two different mindset ideas synergizing as one.

How to criticize an employee. Sandwich method, first layer give them praise, appreciate their good and dedication then comes the BUT filling, you say what they did wrong, what they haven't improved on. Last layer is the thanking for been there and their loyalty.

Any employees’ top performance is only 70%, 30% is what the leaders join in to improve their employees.

Have meetings of what worked, not what failed. Find the reasons why it worked, motivate your business other family. What made today a happy day a good day not the days when it didn't. Focusing on mistakes cultivates negativity.

Difficulties of life is where we grow.

Hope this was an interesting read for you.


LISWITH, Over and Out!

Friday, November 3, 2017

Startup Pavilion


Infotel 2017, Startup Pavilion.

This is a place for all entrepreneurs from different trades to be at get inspired.
I saw many familiar faces all with new ones. Everything from Robotics educational services for youngsters, E wallets, Sri Lanka produced gaming, B2B total solutions, Doctor Services via video chat, Enterprise retail solutions, VR experience for a apartments or hotels, and Social Media gurus who take care of your online marketing solutions.

YES!!! Sri Lanka is going places.

This is was great to see young generation getting together under one roof and showcasing their hard work.

What I see as an outsider was that they lacked the support of the trade. No one told them how to create leads, that when they speak to a potential user they should be enthusiastic about it, that no one will walk to their stall and ask Hi! What does you company do? They had to believe in themselves and fuel that inner fire to set fire to each person that spoke to them. Word of mouth the oldest form of marketing. They were not mentored to market themselves along with their product. Not taught to educate a novice what they do.

Today I am writing to inspire all of you at the Startup Pavilion, bring your "A" GAME everyday.
Show people proudly what your passion built and what places you are heading, don’t shy away from educating anyone you meet what you do, what you product does, and how you are the next big thing.

Cheers to all you BRAVE Ladies and Gents who are taking part in this amazing showcase called the STARTUP PAVILION.

Cheers!

LISWITH




Tuesday, October 31, 2017

FOODGASM Maldives



Maldives sells luxury. I have had the privilege and blessing of visiting most of the most properties people dream of.

Visiting most of the newly opened and luxury resorts, food is something to die for. Maldives does FnB with class. They have amazing chefs, Michelin Chef hosted restaurants.

Two resorts personally took a soft place in my heart, opened my taste buds to new experiences like never before.

There are the unique like Soneva Fushi: you have eaten cheese until you eat at Soneva Fushi during breakfast, Dusit Thani: never will you try authentic Thai food unless you dine there, you never ever say dined in an underwater restaurant unless you are dining Conrad, Anantara Kihavah Villas, Ozen or Hurawalhi.

Those are the hot superstars Cuisine related in the Maldives. I am a huge fan of experimenting with food, other way I test how much I love the food is trying food I was formerly allergic to as a kid. Why try this way, because my initial body reaction to food that I was allergic to is nausea. You make love such food you are top of my list any day of the week.

First is Niyama Private Islands Maldives; “TRIBAL” African, Central and South American cuisines. Tribal is open only for dinner. It’s situated surrounded by trees, and walkway lit up with flames calling you for this once in a lifetime experience.

First I was taken to the bar where I was given a traditional cocktails. The ingredients were given in a mortar and pestle and to grinding my own drink. The bartender then gave me the amazing drink, as much I hate cocktails, was in love with experience.  They do give you a brand new pestle as a souvenir.

Then is to the unique experience of FOOD at Tribal. Truth be told was not highly excited till I saw the menu.

I had the utmost delight in trying the Tribal Signature, the second course was a surprise to add one more meat lover delight ticked off my list “Warm Ostrich Bobotie”

That was the first experience at Foodgasm Maldives.

Next is Amilla Fushi Maldives, this resort is beautiful, sassy, modern chic and luxurious. Amilla Fushi I had the great honor of staying two nights. This was a while back, this is resort where the specialty restaurant is always under the flagship of a Michelin Chef always. Bread Street by Gordon Ramsay was newest addition to them.

When I visited Amilla Fushi, I did the bold decision of trying all the food that was allergic to me at one point of my life. This a hunch my gut gave to experiment, even though I no longer am allergic to certain food I was allergic too, still the choice of food and smell would nauseate me like my very own PTSD.

This decision of experimenting was a magical experience, every dish ordered for the next two nights were all post allergy food. They took me on amazing journey, every bite was great I enjoy every meal with no complaints or the slightest feeling of nausea. Former Lonu by Luke Magan was the epitome of the Foodgasm journey.


Those two were my key highlights for Maldives Foodgasm.

Maldives does not only spell luxury it spells food.

Cheers!

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

Friday, October 20, 2017

What kind of employee are you?



There are often two types work force that exist in the world.

One is the most common for most, the part of society who do a job in there comfort zone. That makes them happy not truly miserable provides them just the needed money. They do a job to provide for their responsibilities and support their families. They are basic 8 – 5 work guys. This most people think are ineffective workers sorry they are not they justify the work they do, earn a salary and provide for what they love.

Second is the great dreamers, thinker and innovators. They are passionate, they are self-driven, and very disciplined. These are the entrepreneurs or the workaholics; their minds do not sleep, they constantly thinking, work does not start neither does work end. It’s a continuous process a never ending loop which has great pros along with great cons. But certain important quotas of life are missed out due to this amazing obsession.

Last is what I have noticed in the past years, the one I cannot seem to wrap my head around. This is the work force that comes to work because they have nothing to do. They use work it as a hangout place, they are bored to kill time at home hence use work as an excuse to be there and kill time. They basically get paid to chill. This surprisingly in my head is like wow they are lucky, and other part of my mind just gets confused and angry.

Well lastly I would like to ask what work force are you?


Cheers!

LISWITH

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Who Celebrates World Tourism Day?


We are celebrating World Tourism Day today.
Who celebrates this day? The travel agents, hoteliers, cruise liners and the airlines? Do you help to wonder who keeps the billion dollar industry up and running.

The travelers, they too are celebrants of this amazing day, as we are creating, re creating and offering their dreams in this industry. We are an industry meant to serve people, be hospitable, kind and caring to strangers from all walks of life.

As the industry celebrates this day, we too have to give credit to the travelers who make this industry happen.

Today is a great day as an individual from the industry to reflect what have you contributed to this global industry. Are we a bunch of fancy folks, patting another person's PNL or are we helping in improving, innovating and educating others in and out of this magical industry.

Things to think about today :

What change have you inflicted or thought of for this industry?

Are you actively educating people on the destination or product you are selling?

What future do you see for this industry in the next 05 years?

Cheers

LISWITH

Maldives

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Leader Dreamer




This is a short thought I am writing today. What is the most important duty of a Manager and Leader in your work, home or society? I'll let you think.

Think of your dream, what do you want in your life. This dream does not have to linked to your career or family. I am talking about YOU, what do you dream?

How many of us have a clear dream of what we want? This dream you are envisioning now, might be unachievable as of now. But this is what you want your life to be, how you want your tale to be told.

Most of us are vague on this YOU dream. This is something your Sunday should put serious thought to.

Now coming back to the most important duty as manager or leader, is to teach your team to dream. Dream epic big, dream desperate and dream clear.

This dream as a leader should be asked by you, advised by you, and mentored by you.
Now you smart people are thinking; wait if he is working under me, and he dream is home of his own how do I help? This is not part of my job.
It is part of your job, it is how you nurture your team. It's not normal day to day work questions, but this is the guidance and experience you carry they are reaching out for.

As a leader teach them to dream, once they do nurture them to achieve it.

Cheers

LISWITH

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Success Growth : what do we do to achieve it?


Recently a life event reminded me of an experience that was shared with me, which has such great meaning and understanding. 

There was a training, and the trainer handed over balloons and pins to all the participants. Later he informed to blow the balloons tie and keep it with them. 

As the participants were blowing their balloons, he quietly went around them and drew an enclosed borderline boxing them in. 

When the participants were done, he said I have a timer as soon as I say 1,2,3 go it starts. Your duty is to protect the balloon you own and never step out of the boundary. It seemed very simple and easy. 

He said 1,2,3 go. The end of the word GO the participants were in so much energy, they went running and chasing to burst the balloon of the other. So much excitement, all you heard was the pop sound of balloons. 

It got interesting, the athletic dudes who survived till the last one minute of the round had a surprise heading their way. Then you saw teamwork the guys whose balloons had burst were racing as a team to the few people who had survived. The time eventually ended, around two people were left from the crowd with balloons on hands. 

The trainer said well done that was a lot of energy shown right there. 

He continued on to say, we are thought to compete since school. Be the first in the class, where is the missing two marks? Why only two A's? 

This is what we carry forward as an adult. I never specified to burst the other person's balloon, I said protect your balloon for four minutes. Your lizard brain initial kick in, was to bring down the other. Lifting the balloon with one hand you just ran. 

Then the mentality escalates, multiple people who have not succeeded on the goal got together to bring the survivors down, amazing teamwork don't you think? 

Now can I ask the participants who are still holding the balloon what did you different? One replied, he just concentrated on protecting the balloon. This says at no time was he trying to bring down the other but worked on achieving his goal. 

I'll leave you thinking right there. Today and now think ponder, what change do you want to inflict, what change are you trying to influence.

LISWITH OBINAMUNI


Sunday, May 28, 2017

The ever-growing Travel Industry



I am writing on some questions most might think but never would speak out loud in the travel industry.

The increasing number of hotels, resorts have been overwhelming. So many luxury investments and expansions around the world. As for the destination, I am familiar with Maldives is due to open 6 new luxury exciting hotel chains by the end of this year.

Does the increasing bed count in hotels, increase the travel community globally? Is luxury going to remain expensive and for the elite who can afford? What are we doing to expand awareness of the destinations we sell? Are we understanding that industry disruptors such as AirBnB exist in the world? Are we acknowledging the fact the budget of Traveler is getting smaller? Are we acknowledging great service, great customer interactions are a norm now?

These are questions I often ponder been an insignificant member of the travel community. Would we be able to gain back the trust of our fellow travelers? Would we come to agreement luxury is something entailed for all travelers? Luxury is not to be defined by price no more.

To the global investment expansions occurring on a daily and yearly basis, are we ready for the disruption about to happen in the years to come?
Are we ready not to sell one brand but focus on selling the destination with harmony and share the fruits? Are we ready to give that happiness we stand by to create memories to our fellow travelers back?

These are thoughts as an industry we should question and ponder about the industry we believe as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company motto states "We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen."

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

Maldives

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Unspoken hero of the Sri Lankan Theatre industry Mr Obinamuni Gamini De Silva


Well I have been inspired by him often. He was a great mentor, my thanks to him would not be never be enough. He was the silent inspiration for me been a poet.

This is the tale of Mr. Obinamuni Gamini De Silva, he is unspoken hero for the Sri Lankan stage theater. He was student at his younger age at the Shakespeare Institute at Stafford Upon Avon. Later which he came back to Sri Lanka to start giving back to his home. He is patriotic in his own way. Once arriving back he started translating Shakespearean plays to Sinhala. He got to work beside Sri Lankan actors such as Kamal Adaarchchi, got mentored by great minds such as Professor Carlo Fonseka, and was the initial mentor for actors such as Nayana Kumar and Sarath Dickumbura. He too has performed in-front of one of the greatest Presidents of Sri Lanka Hon. J. R. Jayawardena.

He has successfully translated and produced Othello, Macbeth and Hamlet in Sinhala. He is lifetime member of the Sinhala Institute of Culture. Was a judge in the panel of Drama headed by the cultural ministry; Island wide Drama competition. He too is a senior member at SUNFO (Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organization).

Since 1989 I have personally seen the struggle of a man who dedicated his whole life to art. He knows no other way of life, no other form of passion, no greater calling than his love for the arts, been that producer, been that man who translated such great work of literature.

No matter what you shall always see him perform his dramas every April 24th. His final dream is to produce Othello in Sinhala as a movie.

He is an unsaid hero to the theater and drama of Sri Lanka, never been identified nor ever given the light to shine. I take this time as the greatest form of idolizing a hero of Sri Lanka Mr. Obinamuni Gamini De Silva.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

What does a Business Traveler seek?


I see so many city hotels coming up around Sri Lanka and globally.

This means the Mice and Business traveler markets are a large portion of the current tourism industry.

Has anyone thought what are the key factors influencing the business traveler mind. In the past couple of weeks, I have been listening to busy bee business traveler reviews, on what they weigh when making the decisions.

Location: yes, it should be a city Centre, accessible easily as they are always on a tight schedule.

Breakfast: the first and mostly the last meal taken at the hotel. This carries a long way.

Internet connection: that's not chargeable. The whole point of a business traveler hotspot is the fact they are able to stay connected.

Executive lounge: this is a work and play place this lounge is where they kickback and work. Light music, and couple of good wines this is a lounge. People often mistake concept of a lounge and bar.

Customer service: no repeater shall be ever referred to as Sir but as Mr. X. This is captivating the client to come not to a hotel but back home. 6 days in a hotel and regular staff do not know your name or preferences, you start thinking twice. Can you remember so many clients? That is whole point of the Hospitality industry.

Rewards: business travelers love to be rewarded this is upper hand which the international chains have over local establishments do not. This means opportunity for them to start up.

The room: should be clean, the bathroom should be great and the bed should be comfortable. This is key factor the whole point of a business traveler after a hard day of work comes back to rest calmly.

Value adds: free laundry and dry cleaning this is comes very much in handy because they shall always pack light.

Now we have discussed the flag screen TV or the coffee machine, the porcelain wear. Wait do these matters? Yes they do, but on a decision making point of view nope!

What do hotels who concentrate on the business traveler end do rest of the year. The many operational restaurants, bars, and the convention halls that are rented out for meetings, balls and weddings.

Now thinking of the key factor, we spoke ROOM, they main sources of income can be a hindrance for the client never return. Loud music that doesn't end, the noise of footsteps next to your room, and endless chatter of the drunk folks.

Should these events be stopped? No no no. This would be a direct hit on the substantial revenue generated monthly. How can this not be a disturbance to staying guests, I suggest sound proof the rooms.

Well those are my inputs, next time you travel on business let me know your input.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Maldives