MARIANNA ALFA

“Anything is possible with trust, respect, emotional balance and the right motivational thinking space.”

Mentoring has been an integral part of my leadership style for more than two decades of working in the hospitality industry. Now a qualified and CPD acredited executive coach and business operations specialist, I use my varied sector experience and perfectly honed coaching skills to support businesses in developing more productive teams while creating healthier and happier workplace environments. With expertise in creating and evaluating the standards, systems and procedures needed for successful growth, I have a natural ability to connect positively with people and to relate to the frustrations and challenges many face in the industry today. 

Having worked for several global businesses with strong visions that morphed into powerful mission statements, as well as for those companies who aspired to them, I take inspiration from the many different cultures and leadership ladders I have had the privilege to observe and mentor over the years. Working to improve communications and supporting leaders who seek greater internal collaboration to increase their productivity and well-being at the same time is a core focus for me in nurturing businesses to blossom and flourish.

“Giving back to people and society and staying emotionally balanced matters.”

After many passionate years of mentoring and working in hospitality and food and beverage sector, I decided  to use my experience to deliver something more meaningful for people working in the sector and to the society we live in. Spurred by numerous business contacts and industry colleagues who recalled how I had changed their lives for the better through my presence, advice and mentoring, to those who hired me as their personal coach or mentor, I soon realized that it’s not always about the destination, but about the journey we choose and get to fully enjoy.

“Today’s cultures lack trust and the continuous learning and development road maps that help retain talent.”

I believe the main responsibility of a true leader is to create an exciting, but safe adventure for their team, but that this is seldom the case today. Companies complain about declining team cultures, poor communication and lack of engagement or work-life balance, but I believe this is often because of the lack of compassion as approach, lack of emotional intelligence and basic procedures and decision-making skills to recognize what led to those negative outcomes. Absorbing information and learning from different situations is what makes businesses stronger and more successful. My mission is all about using my wisdom to create a high performing culture that understands how to lead with compassion and confidence in a coaching-led (questioning rather than controlling and commanding) environment.

Drawing on proven people skills and expert business insight, I help hospitality leaders to learn how to get the best out of themselves and their teams through awareness, responsibility and self-trust. Providing a series of coaching sessions, along with individually tailored mentoring and specialist advice on the most appropriate tactics and tools to enhance learning and maximize day-to-day efficiencies, I help to transform business culture and leadership styles. Using effective, fit-for-purpose strategies designed to self-motivate, challenge and nurture, Blossom Hospitality has been created to eliminate shorter-term fire-fighting responses and instead to give way to longer term partnership and collaboration where change is no longer feared but embraced.