Just over Hilton Worldwide area president Rudi Jagersbacher's left shoulder you can see the doubletree by Hilton Jumeirah, Dubai under construction. The hotel is slated to open next year.
The people who inspire me
Jagersbacher is a source of inspiration for many in the hotel industry, but who has spurred him to success?
1. Jochen Rindt — the famous race-car driver is a great example of someone who embodied a spirit for success: talented, competitive, controlled, focused on the details, prepared, thoughtful and a risk-taker. Though his life was cut short, he lived it to the fullest despite his humble beginnings.
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2. Bill Gates — he is passionate about realising his dreams for his business and just as zealous and determined to succeed in his philanthropic work. He is a symbol of imagination, determination and inspiration in making Microsoft a successful global company alongside his foundation, which helps to create sustainable communities around the world for the next generation of leaders.
3. Conrad Hilton – for obvious reasons. He set a foundation for the hospitality business that continues to shape and lead the industry, but he did this while creating a work environment that values making a difference as a pillar of success when it wasn’t the ‘norm’. He connected hospitality to talent development and community engagement on all levels and his legacy to bring ‘positive’ to work, life and community continues in almost 4000 hotels.
4. Sir Hugh Walter Kingwell Wontner – MD of the Savoy hotel group from 1941 to 1979 and its chairman from 1948 to 1984, he continued as president until he died in 1992. He was probably the most elegant and articulated person I have ever met. He was really interested in service, style and the customer and this was reflected throughout the organisation.
5. Grandfather – a true journalist and businessman who started a national/regional newspaper in Austria. He was insightful, wise and I watched him build nothing into something. His entrepreneurial spirit and hard work taught me where to look but not what to see – that encouragement to learn from the past, live in the now and explore the unknown drives everything I do in business and family.
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