TEAMS AND DREAMS – THE BEATING HEART OF A 17TH CENTURY PALACE

TEAMS AND DREAMS

The Beating Heart of a 17th Century Palace

Words by Rachel Zammit Cutajar Photography by Julia Boikova

It is no surprise to hear that teamwork is the bloodline of any organisation, with talent management on top of many organisations’ list of priorities when tackling productivity in the workplace. An effective team can have an incredible impact on business, not only by driving revenue and profits, but also by boosting employee satisfaction, resulting in talent retention. Justine Pergola, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Palazzo Parisio, talks about changing the structure of the business and focusing on building the right team for the job.

Justine Pergola, took over the reins at Palazzo Parisio a year ago, and has been busy shifting her focus on acquiring a team that reflects her style of management. “Honouring my mother’s legacy, her vision for Palazzo Parisio, and the path that she has put us on is at the forefront of the direction in which I wish to take the palace. However, I need to make my own way, bring in my own team and put my own mark on the family firm.”

The late baroness, Christiane Ramsay Scicluna, had great vision for Palazzo Parisio, converting the 17th century Palazzo from a museum to a thriving business that hosts luxury events unparalleled on the island. Vibrant restaurants in the lush gardens and grand events in the spectacular ballroom make Palazzo Parisio a coveted venue for celebrations and more relaxed Sunday afternoons.

“My mother was very detail-oriented and wanted to oversee every element of the business. For me, recruitment of talent is paramount, and then I believe in allowing people the creative freedom to get their jobs done in the best possible manner.” Palazzo Parisio has always been a strong female-led organisation, with Justine and her mother at the helm from the very beginning, and women taking some of the most senior roles in the company. Research shows that companies where at least 30% of board members are female financially perform 12 times better financially.

“We have always been a female-strong team at Palazzo Parisio, and we are happy to see this trend towards employing more female staff in top management roles grow throughout the world.

“One of the biggest advantages we notice is how women tend to foster a more inclusive workplace. Women don’t run businesses as a “one-man show”. They tend to get along with others, communicate more effectively, and work collaboratively for the benefit of the company.”

Justine insists that every position is filled according to merit, and though they employ many women in top roles, they are not discriminatory in the selection of staff. On the contrary, many of their staff come from different countries around the world with a mixture of nationalities ranging from Italians to Sicilians, Maltese, South Africans and Bulgarians. “Coming from different countries and cultures gives us a more flexible dynamic.

“Different cultures and different characters tend to approach a problem from a different angle. When we pool our knowledge and resources together, we are able to come up with a much better solution than if we were a homogeneous team. When it seems like progress has come to a halt and there is no solution to be found, a fresh perspective is often all you need to get the ball rolling again.” Research shows diverse teams outperform homogeneous teams. In fact, teams with members of different ages, genders, and ethnicities perform better by up to 35% than uniform teams.

By definition, teamwork is the collaborative effort of a group of individuals working towards a common goal. To make this happen, a powerful team must rely on professional dialogue, mutual trust, recognition of qualities and emotions, and tangible agreements and actions.

“Banqueting operates much like a theatrical performance, with every element of the blending seamlessly into the next. This can only happen when clear communication channels are both honest and open, so that every single event that we create is unforgettable. Our sales department creates a bespoke package

for every guest, pre-empting their requirements, and then they communicate guests’ wishes with our banqueting team and kitchen. When you're organising a wedding, you can’t afford the champagne to come out at the wrong time, or the wrong sparklers to be placed on the cake. Everything has to be flawless.”

Clear communication is the key to a more collaborative team, with collaboration boosting morale by 80% and, in turn, productivity by 20%. Best of all, it is linked to higher retention rates. Sharing really is caring, and teamwork in the workplace proves it. More than 60% of employees at some point experience exhaustion, but being part of a team eases the effects of it. This is mainly because team members understand how demanding and stressful work can be, and lean on each other for emotional support. Because collaboration lays the foundations for a more open, connected, and engaged workplace, it’s appealing to employees. An atmosphere where collaboration is front and centre is important to your people, and it’ll go a long way toward preventing them from looking for work elsewhere.

“From a profitability aspect, employees' well-being is important. Recruitment takes up a lot of time and resources. Content workers do not leave, making it unnecessary to spend that extra money finding new ones. Flexibility costs nothing.”

Fostering a sense of belonging among team members is something Justine has always believed in, and though her mother organised the odd staff party, Justine is more focused on creating social events for smaller teams within the business.

Photo - Donja Pitsch

“When people socialise outside of work, they are more likely to get onto the same page about projects, new employees are brought up to speed quicker, and details are hashed out in a more timely and efficient manner.

“Part of those stronger connections means that people get to know one another. Without time together outside of work, it can take a long time for co-workers to become comfortable with each other to the point that they can freely collaborate on work. “Socialising establishes that comfort zone earlier one, allowing for collaboration to occur more naturally and, in most cases, yielding stronger work.”

Justine has been well-trained in this industry, having attended the EHL School of Hospitality in Lausanne, Switzerland and working for prestigious hotels like The Bulgari Hotel in Milan. Creating unique events that bring out the character of the person hosting is where she excels. “We believe that every event should be unforgettable, and the devil is in the detail. As we expect our staff to create these unforgettable events for other people, we also like to treat them to the same. Staff parties, team building events and even just drinks after work foster relationships, and create bonds that make working life all the more efficient.” As Christmas looms, the Palazzo Parisio team is busy getting the palace ready to receive the corporate Christmas rush. The palace becomes a hub of activity with twinkling lights and coloured baubles filling the halls. Teams from organisations all over the island are treated to extravagant parties in the grand ballroom, more intimate dinners in the warmer Red Room, or even outside on the covered terrace on the first floor, overlooking the lush gardens.

For smaller get-togethers, the newly refurbished restaurant by architect-extraordinaire Antonio Girardi, promises to be a real treat. The cool Capri-esque designs meet the extravagance of the 17th century palace with luxurious sophistication. Ready to launch close to Christmas, could this be the unique experience you’ve been looking for?

Teams are better than individuals in both delivering measurable results and creating a better work environment. Creating memorable experiences that your team can bond over for months to come is worth your while.

 @palazzoparisio www.palazzoparisio.com