Business & Money | Saturday 1 April, 2017 4:00 am |

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the most dynamic hotel companies in the world, and operator of the Radisson Blu® and Park Inn® by Radisson hotel brands in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), is hosting today and tomorrow its STEPS program in Jeddah. The initiative aims to accelerate the careers of talented females across the group to help it achieve a balanced leadership and positive culture within the company.

 

The STEPS program is part of the Group’s wider Balanced Leadership initiative that aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  The STEPS program organized in partnership with the Center for Balanced Leadership, comprises a series of workshops designed to empower female staff with new skills and awareness of their talents, passions and capabilities.

 

The STEPS program consists of two consecutive days of training and coaching, followed by one follow up session within three to four months. The initiative will cover subjects that emphasize the growth paths and opportunities for the 24 participants, and gives clear guidance on how to communicate with the greatest impact, in addition to helping them better manage their careers and achieve a work/ life balance.

 

The second edition of the STEPS program comes shortly after Rezidor’s historic appointment of Maram Kokandi, the general manager of the Park Inn by Radisson Jeddah Madinah Road hotel, scheduled to be opened later this year. The participation of women across Rezidor’s business in the kingdom has risen from six female employees in 2014 to 84 today, including 12 in senior leadership positions.

 

Stephanie Aboujaoude, Balanced Leadership Champion and Senior Area Director of Marketing, Middle East and Turkey: “Rezidor is committed to empowering our women in leadership, and we are delighted to host the STEPS program in Saudi Arabia for the second time,” said Aboujaoude. “With focused training, our women employees can realize their strengths and make the right choices to advance their careers. The program comes at an important time, as the Kingdom encourages women to play a greater role in co-leading its social and professional growth.”

Maram Kokandi, General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Jeddah, who gave a powerful speech to the participants, said: “I was really moved by how Rezidor strongly advocates balanced leadership, not just in Saudi Arabia, but across the globe. I’m thrilled to begin my new role as a general manager for Park Inn by Radisson Jeddah Madinah Road, and I’m looking forward to pursuing my career aspirations in hospitality within the Rezidor Hotel Group.”

Rezidor’s Balanced Leadership program applies a three-pronged strategy to tackle the continuing problem of diversity at the top of organizations. This includes leadership programs, inclusive policies, and awareness of the issue from top to bottom, including how to tackle barriers to women succeeding in business.