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Malta Business Review
SPECIAL FEATURE: MBEOTYA 2017
SPECIAL FEATURE: MBEOTYA 2017
Malta Business Review
Continuous loop
to innovate
by Martin Vella
Drive for
Innovation
By George Carol
David Abela, Managing
Director at Eurobridge
Shipping Services Ltd,
winner of Malta’s Best
International Trade
Entrepreneur of the Year
Award, believes that if
you devote yourself to
something for such a long
time, you will inevitably
become a master of your
trade – and your legacy
will pass even further…
MBR: What has been the secret behind
EUROBRIDGE’s success?
DA: After all these years, I now feel that the
three fundamental things one needs to be
successful are work ethic, perseverance
and the best team possible behind you.
EuroBridge, particularly myself, have
experienced various failures in the past and
I am sure will continue to experience them
again, but one cannot simply give up on
achieving his dreams despite the difficulties
he faces every day, whether these problems
are small or big. That is where perseverance
and work ethic come in, and if one wants to
dream big, he cannot do that without the help
of a great team that has the same common
ambition to succeed.
we will continue giving our
best to innovate and be frontrunners
in our industry
David Abela receiving the award for Malta's Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 from Thea Saliba
MBR: How do you define the EUROBRIDGE
brand message and how critical is that to be
consistent?
DA: When I took over EuroBridge, it was still
in its infancy. However, the name stuck with
me especially the ‘Bridge’ part. I wanted to
evolve the company into something where all
connected to it felt part of something exciting
and with a purpose. That is why besides
the logo which shows a modern bridge in a
continuous loop to innovate, I also introduced
the motto ‘logistics people to count on’. This
is a message goes to all out there working
with us, be it suppliers or customers, that we
are there for them and we will continue giving
our best to innovate and be front-runners in
our industry both locally and internationally.
MBR: Looking at the success and impact you
had during Malta’s Best Entrepreneur of the
Year Awards 2017, do you ever take time to
reflect and step back and celebrate?
DA: Unfortunately, not that much. I feel the
company still has a lot of potential to grow so
I cannot stop with the vision I have for it to
catch up on what I have achieved yet, because
we are simply not there yet! My wife says
that this is something which I will continue
saying forever, as I am always making new
targets for myself and the company. To be
fair, although I always worked hard, I have
also always given myself time to enjoy my
family and friends throughout these years.
I understand that without my family, I could
have never dreamed to reach such heights let
alone actually achieve it. So, knowing that my
family is happy for me and sharing this with
them is celebration enough for me. For now.
MBR: How does winning Malta’s Best
International Trade Entrepreneur of the
Year Award feel?
DA: It feels great, really great! Last year the
company won ‘The Outstanding Industry
Contributor Award’ so that makes two great
awards in less than a year so this was more of
a consolidation of our achievements after last
year’s victory. To be recognised and rewarded
by your fellow peers is the most beautiful part
and I am certain I will continue making sure it
was deserved. I was actually nominated for a
total of five awards and that is really humbling.
The target is now to be nominated and win
even more in next year’s awards! MBR
Joseph Bigeni receiving the award for Malta's Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 from Margaret Brincat
MBR: Can you tell us what is behind Il-
Logga’s accomplishments?
JB: Our accomplishments basically stem from
our sense of togetherness. Since we are a
family run company, and we are well aware
of what each of us is most good at doing, so
slotting ourselves into the different required
roles was relatively easy. Our team is literally
a family; we share our opinions freely and
sometimes disagree, however our collective
efforts are directed towards the best interest
of ‘il-Logga’.
MBR: You have studied both business and
hospitality. How has this helped you to
develop a successful business within the
hospitality industry?
JB: Prior to the creation of ‘il-Logga’, we
have purposefully studied and worked at
similar establishments to ensure that we
have what it takes to run such an enterprise
successfully. For instance, I graduated and
worked in the accounts and business sector,
as well as occupying an administrative role in
a five-star hotel for an additional three years.
Furthermore, my elder brother Christof is a
qualified chef with nine years of experience at
a handful of reputable restaurants. The blend
of diverse though relatively rich accumulation
of experiences complement each other
seamlessly in our day-to-day operations, to
address our clients’ reviews, and make key
decisions.
JB: Our typical day commences at 6am with our
À la Carte breakfast preparations, welcoming
our first residents at 8am. Whilst serving
them, we assist them with their queries such
as planning their holiday or suggesting places
worth visiting. Our stipulated checkout time
is 11am, where I am principally occupied with
sorting out incurred bills and ensure that our
guests were pleased. From there on, I usually
manage bookings and check-ins, update our
publicity and social media pages, exchange
emails, and deal with our suppliers and client
queries. Meanwhile, Christof would be
sorting out goods delivered by our suppliers
and preparing slow-cooking recipes, as the
rest of the team would be handling all the
cleanings. To my amazement, no matter how
busy we could be, we barely finish on time
to open our adjacent restaurant! Hence, we
accelerate our final touches to serve dinner
from 6pm till late.
The blend of diverse though
relatively rich accumulation of
experiences complement each
other seamlessly
Joseph Bigeni is the Manager
of Il-Logga Boutique Hotel,
perched on top of a scenic hill
at the outskirts of Xaghra,
overlooking Marsalforn. He is
an ambitious and driven young
man, who would not settle for
just an ordinary career path.
He is from Gozo and has spent
most of his career there. He has
an in-depth understanding of
the travellers’ culture and speaks
their language. Perhaps, he
understands the Maltese culture
better than other Gozitans who
are living and working in Gozo,
or in the Maltese mainland.
from an outsider’s point of view, as to it being
a means of publicity for our boutique Hotel.
This was a very big achievement for us so we
definitely appreciate the opportunity that
was given to us and celebrate it with family
whenever we can.
MBR: How does winning Malta’s Best
Boutique Hotel Entrepreneur of the Year
Award feel?
JB: The nomination in itself was already
a great honour, let alone scooping such
an award. This award meant a lot to us
because it recognized our tireless efforts and
decorated our brand with a highly prestigious
label. Moreover, the event coincided with
the maiden anniversary since our launch and
therefore we could not have celebrated it any
better. However, we are not resting on our
laurels or allowing it to distract us from the
determination that rewarded us with such
success.
MBR: Competition has pushed independent
hoteliers like yourself to think about what
“boutique” means for a generation of
travellers. What are the biggest challenges
that you face today in improving the guest
experience at the hotel?
MBR: Looking at the success and impact you JB: Our concept of ‘boutique’ was born from
had during Malta’s Best Entrepreneur of the
our drive for innovation. However, this comes
with an obligation that while customized
Year Awards 2017, do you ever take time to
service is a must, we are additionally ought to
reflect and step back and celebrate?
constantly update and renovate our services
MBR: What does running your hotel involve; JB: Winning the Malta Best Entrepreneur and facilities to reflect expectations and
what’s your typical day?
award made us reflect and look at this award contemporary demands. MBR
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