#16 RadEO with Kim Whitaker from Once Travel

12/03/18 • 36 min

In this episode of RadEO, Ross talks to Kim Whitaker, the CEO, and co-founder of Once Travel. Kim tells us more about the Tourism Industry, and how she managed to empower young people by starting a Tourism School and giving them opportunities to work in the tourism and hotel industry. She also tells us about how to delve into branding a hostel and gives her tips on getting the right team to man the machine. Subscribe on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radeo/id1250841955) or Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/radeopodcast) About Kim - Kim started her first tourism business age 23, inspired by a year of living and working around the world. In 2013, Kim co-founded “Once in Cape Town” (Cape Town, South Africa) with a dynamic team, and grew the Poshtel/ Youth Hotel concept from strength to strength. In 2016, the team went on to open the second property (Once in Joburg) in Johannesburg, in the vibrant inner-city Braamfontein area. Once Youth Hotels are bustling youth hubs, where, by clever design, strategic partnerships with local businesses and hiring the right “A-team” (staff who encapsulate the “Once” ethos and spirit), guests can experience contemporary Africa. Once in Cape Town recently passed the Fairtrade in tourism grading with 100%, which recognizes that the business operates in a way that is mutually respectful, fair and transparent. Kim is current CEO of Once Youth Hotels and is passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership and growing the Once Youth Hotel brand into the African continent. Kim’s many personal entrepreneurship awards include the Investec “YoungTreps” (2014), Sanlam EOY, Emerging Entrepreneur winner (2015), Mzansi Top 100 Young Independents (2016), and Premiers Award for Entrepreneurship Tourism winner (2016). Show notes- 00:38 - Kim’s elevator pitch 01:52 - Does traveling seem exciting to someone on the outside? 03:35 - How does one curate traveling experiences as you do? 07:53 - How do you make sure you have the right people on your team? 10:28 - How do you go about inductions for your employees? 11:15 - How does the relationship work if you only employ people for 3 months? 12:57 - Was it deliberate having a bar and a hostel in the same location? 16:40 - Building the Once Youth Hotels brand 20:19 - Starting a Tourism School 26:33 - Why Kim has started a Tourism School 31:10 - Was it deliberate in empowering people and making South Africa a better place?

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#15 RadEO with Petra Rees from Why Toyz

In this episode of RadEO Ross chats to Petra Rees from Why Toyz. They explore the concepts and methods of learning through play with kids and connect how one would implement these learning methods in your workspace. They talk the power of co-creation both in toys and in business with your clients. Petra shares her thoughts on performance management and the CEOs role in taking ownership of your client experience. Subscribe on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radeo/id1250841955) or Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/radeopodcast) About Petra - Petra Knezu Rees was born in Prague, Czech Republic. She started her career in Czech Telecom where she headed several projects including enterprise development programmes. But her passion for travel and learning about new cultures resulted in Petra working in many international locations, the longest of which was in Seychelles. Here she managed a private lodge and also developed new markets for the biggest domestic management agency. Petra started her own destination marketing agency and came to Johannesburg in 2006 to consult on a tourism project in Seychelles for local developers. Petra is a co-founder of Lean Enterprise Acceleration Programmes (LEAP) focusing on accelerating the growth of small enterprises through meaningful business support and technology. Why Toyz - whytoyz.com Show notes- 00:46 - Petra’s elevator pitch 01:10 - The backstory 03:32 - Learning in the workspace 07:21 - How does Why Toyz and 3D printing tie together in learning our children? 10:58 - Ownership and Co-creation 13:05 - Learning through play 16:23 - Do you think learning through play has its place in the work environment? 18:43 - How would you implement these learning methods into your office culture? 21:13 - Did you end up in this industry because you are a parent? 26:14 - How did you recruit your new team and when do you outsource work? 28:06 - How would you performance manage people that aren’t sitting in your office? 35:28 - Having ownership and partnering with your clients 37:15 - How are you building out your client experience?

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#17 RadEO with Conor Neill from Vistage Spain

In this episode of RadEO, Ross talks to Conor Neill, the president of Vistage Spain. They talk about how you are a vehicle for a project and one should realise your own potential and purpose. Finding meaning in suffering can help in not losing sight of your full strength. Conor gives his 3 top ways to communicating effectively and understanding others around you by asking them what fulfilment looks like. We are all encouraged by enthusiasm, and Conor suggests putting enthusiasm into everything we do. Subscribe on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radeo/id1250841955) or Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/radeopodcast) About Conor - Conor is a sought-after keynote speaker on resilient leadership. He is President of Vistage Spain, part of the world’s leading CEO organisation. As an entrepreneur, he has founded 5 companies, selling 16 private jets and building the 3rd largest fleet of private jets in Spain. He teaches leadership at IESE Business School and is a visiting professor at University College Dublin. Conor can help you sell a private jet, or how to get the resources to build anything else that you truly believe in. Conor is a member of EO Barcelona (since 2005). Conor gave the closing keynote at EO Global Leadership Conference in Athens back in 2014 and will be delivering a keynote at the upcoming EO One Level Up event in Barcelona. More at http://conorneill.com Show notes- 00:44 - Conor’s elevator pitch 09:38 - Unlocking your own potential and realising your purpose 13:20 - Finding meaning in suffering 20:21 - Not losing sight of your full strength and potential 22:05 - Communicating effectively 26:05 - We are encouraged by others enthusiasm 32:50 - Nothing worthwhile is within your comfort zone 35:00 - When your core is clear you’re not seeking after the opinions of others 37:13 - Ask people around who want they need to be fulfilled 40:20 - Sometimes it’s easy for us to give to others, what’s easy for us to give 43:40 - Allow your intuition to tell you what are the things that are important to you 44:37 - Write down your purpose