David Fogelman ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
This is a technology magazine, not a newspaper I thought to myself, planning on avoiding too much talk of coronavirus in this year’s Big Picture article. However, the more I thought, the more I questioned this approach. COVID-19 has prompted a quantum leap in digital adoption within the hospitality industry. It has catalysed structural, cultural and process change within Airwave, and on a personal level, it has redefined my priorities. It’s easy to underestimate the potential effects of covid unless you experience them first-hand, and I became all too aware as my wife, Fiona, caught this deadly disease and fought for her life. Fiona spent several weeks in hospital, but thankfully recovered, returning home to commence a lengthy recuperation program. So, I can’t and won’t avoid talk of COVID-19 - if I did, this simply wouldn’t be the big picture.
A NEW DAWN
And as I changed the direction of my thinking, I had a bit of an epiphany. The more I thought about covid’s ramifications on my life, the more I realised (notwithstanding the seriousness of the disease), there’s an awful lot to be positive about. I believe we’re entering a new era, a new normal, and a positive cultural reposition that excites me. At Airwave, systemic changes implemented to mitigate the effects of covid, have created a more efficient, streamlined, and resilient business. Despite short-term challenges, I feel the long-term benefits of the changes will be considerable. In parallel, our hotel clients have a renewed vigour and are more than ever before, recognising technology’s role in the provision of a great guest experience, with OTT TV services and Wi-Fi, key focus areas.
HOME COMFORTS
Naturally, the importance of robust WiFi infrastructure has augmented in line with evolving office protocol, as working from home becomes commonplace. For Airwave’s non-field-based contingent, this shift in dynamic has afforded some welcome benefits. One of these – typified during the lockdown - being more efficient and rewarding communication (ironically). The basis of our relationships changed; we took the time to speak to each other as humans rather than colleagues, and we looked out for each other’s wellbeing.
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From a business perspective, I saw no downturn in productivity (quite the opposite in fact). And from a personal perspective, I welcomed the impetus to readdress my work life balance; I’m profoundly grateful to spend so much more time with my wife and two boys. I also welcome the small part we’re playing in the reduction of our carbon footprint. I enjoy the face-to-face interaction of the office, and wouldn’t ever want to give this up, however, I do appreciate the flexibility to choose a working environment that best suits my diary.
FACE-TO-FACE
For some of Airwave’s team, the first opportunity to see each other in person arrived at our annual charity event in July 2021. On this occasion, we walked 25 miles across the North Downs Way from Merstham to Guildford, Surrey (with all proceeds going to the Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice in Arundel, West Sussex). Joined by partners, old colleagues and friends, the walk seemed like an apt occasion to reintroduce ourselves to group activity. It was an excellent experience, not even spoilt by the apocalyptic weather conditions from start to finish! In October 2021, we hit a milestone – our 10th year exhibiting at London Olympia’s Independent Hotel Show - our first non-virtual corporate event since the pandemic began. It was great to reacquaint with clients old and new, and be part of an overriding feeling of bullishness about the hotel industry’s future.
THE YEAR IN NUMBERS
sectors (scan the QR code to see SCCI news and case studies), wiring over 100,000 properties and maintaining a consistent 20,000 service visits a month. We welcome 4Fibre into the group’s portfolio of companies. 4Fibre is a revolutionary multicore fibre cable, enabling the concurrent delivery of internet services from multiple providers into multi dwelling units. This ‘one cable’ technology results in one wayleave, one contract and one installation, saving cost, disruption and reducing the installation’s carbon footprint (this carbon footprint reduction plays a key part in the group’s ambition to transition to a zero-carbon business model).
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
COVID-19 has been transformational. But our challenge is to turn a negative into a positive. If I’ve learnt nothing else during the pandemic, it’s not to take myself, my family, or our planet for granted. I will of course, remain positive, but I’ll also remain cautious and alert as I look to lead this fantastic company into 2023.
David Fogelman, SCCI Group CEO
Despite challenging external forces, Airwave’s year was ultimately successful. We entered the 15th year of our partnership with Premier Inn and continue to expand our footprint in the continent, installing TV systems into 32 Premier Inn sites across Germany (with plans to double this number by 2023). In total, we installed over 25,000 TVs into 400 hotels, celebrating our 15,000th Chromecast installation and 20,000th Otrum license along the way. I’m thrilled to report continued growth within the five-star market, notable highlights including installations at iconic properties such as the Dorchester, 45 Park Lane and Pan Pacific, London. Airwave’s sister companies enjoyed a similarly robust year, delivering a multitude of technology services across several
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