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God’s gift to me is my vision;
My gift back to God is what do I do with that vision
Newsletter 41 | February 2005
P.O. Box 13600, NOORDSTAD,
9302 E-mail:
info@etniquetravel.co.za
Tel: (051) 406 2500
Fax: (051) 436 3793
To receive our monthly newsletter electronically please send an
e-mail to
info@etniquetravel.co.za
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
083 461 2561
Surviving and growing in
the business world today, all evolves around one single aspect: the
way you treat and service your clients. You can strategize and plan
and use all the buzz words and business formulas, but if your client
does not sense an urgency to be treated with care, all will soon
fade away.
On a recent visit to
successful businesses in Delhi, India, we were struck by the single
most important issue: take care of your existing clients. At
the BPO CALL CENTRE, some 3000 University qualified
consultants are addressing almost 20% of the global market’s calls
and queries all around the world. HERO HONDA manufactures
9000 two- wheelers per day, leaving the production plant at
intervals of every 13 seconds!
The following striking
words that we would like to share with our clients, appear at HERO
HONDA:
A
customer is the most important visitor on our premises
He is not dependent on us
We are dependent on him
He is not an interruption on our work
He is the purpose of it and not an outsider on our premises
He is a part of it
We are not doing him a favour by serving him
He is doing us a favour by giving us the opportunity to do so
Mahatma Gandhi
We trust everybody at
Sure Etnique Travel projects the same attitude!
- Johann
MBA STUDY TOUR TO INDIA, JANUARY 2005
Where it all started...
Prof. Mukul Gupta,
professor of Marketing in the MBA programme at the Management
Development Institute (MDI) in Gurgaon (a suburb and corporate hub
of Delhi) India visited the University of the Free State School of
Management in 2004. After a second visit by Prof. Gupta an agreement
was signed between the UFS and MDI. The School immediately wished to
undertake a MBA study tour to Gurgaon. Given the weather conditions
in India, it was recommended that we should visit India preferably
between January and March. We had to take the start of the academic
year also into account, and within 1 month the tour was arranged for
January this year.
MDI comprises more
than sixty nationally and internationally acclaimed full-time
faculty. A wide range of programmes are offered. Apart from the MBA,
many other management programmes are offered. MDI is also considered
to be one of the earliest and largest Schools for continuing
education in India.
The experience...
Once it became known
that an MBA study group is on its way to India, we got many remarks
such as: “What? India? Do you know what you are doing?” Without any
doubt it was an experience that will be remembered for many years to
come.
We attended lectures
at MDI of a very high quality, and visited Heroites (BPO centre),
MarutiSuzuki (a motor plant) and HeroHonda (a motorcycle plant, or
as motorcycles are known in India, two wheelers). HeroHonda
impressed every member of the group. The company does not have a
vision and a mission, but a mandate including the values of the
organization. Every 20 seconds HeroHonda delivers a two wheeler and
4 500 per day. They dominate the market for two wheelers in India
with forty percent of the market share.
Over-population and
traffic have a new meaning. One third of the world’s population
lives in India and China. Thirty percent of the Indian population
live below the poverty line. The per capita income in India is $400
per annum. However, no one can ignore the economic potential and
power created in India. According to the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India
and China) report India will be the third largest economy in the
world by 2040.
One of the gems of
the Indian economy is the IT market, worth $19,60 billion.
Interestingly enough, they excel only in the services side of the IT
market. They are not present in the market for the development of
products. Only fourteen percent of the revenues in this market are
generated in India. They rely heavily on exports and the USA counts
for seventy percent of the IT exports.
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And the Taj Mahal...
The group was speechless when they saw the Taj, and we now
understand why it is one of the man-made wonders of the world.
Unfortunately the Taj is threatened by pollution, as is the rest
of India.
A
hint...
It is recommended that if India is considered to be a tourist
destination it is important to pay a visit to a travel agency
already experienced India.
Lastly, only sincere appreciation for the
professional service delivered by Johann Beukes and his team at
Sure Etnique Travel. |
PROF HELENA VAN ZYL
DIRECTOR
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE
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Belgium's Gems:
Brugge & Gent |
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In our series of
gemlike towns of the world, we pay a visit to these two Flemish
historical towns, just over an hour’s journey by train from the
capitol of Belgium, Brussels.
Bruges (Brugge to
its Flemish natives)
With good reason,
Bruges is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belgium.
An unspoilt medieval town, Bruges’ winding pedestrian streets pass
by picturesque canals lined with typical staggered gabled buildings.
It was once linked to the sea by the River Zwin, that has in the
mean time silted up, but which, in its heyday, carried boats into
the city to transport the local textiles to far off destinations. As
a further bonus, Bruges also escaped major damage in both world
wars.
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All the major
attractions are located within the circle of pedestrian friendly
cobbled streets. The 13th century market square,
Markt, where a market is still held each Saturday, is
lined by medieval gabled row houses. For a bird’s eye view of
the centre, climb the 366 steps of the octagonal Belfort Tower.
Another attraction is the narrow arched link between Burg
and Vismarkt, called Blinde Ezelstraat (Blind
Donkey Alley). In this area one can browse the popular lace and
chocolate shops of Belgium.
However, to get
an immediate feel for the layout and beauty of Bruges, it pays
to take a canal cruise. Afterwards relax with traditional food
at De Stove, a small friendly traditional moderately
priced Flemish restaurant in Kleine St
Amandstraat.
There are not
many places outside of Italy which can claim to own an original
work by Michelangelo, but Bruges is one. The Church of our Lady
- Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk - contains the master’s exquisite
sculpture of Madonna and Child, transported here from Italy by a
Flemish trader. The church took almost 200 years to be completed
and its spire is Belgium’s tallest. |
During late August,
the colourful historical pageant parade takes place along the
picturesque canals.
Good value
accommodation, right on a canal, can be found at the Ter Brughe,
or at the more expensive canalised hotel with much charm,
De Medici.
Ghent (or Gent as
the Flems prefer it)
Just 20 minutes by
train from Bruges, this fascinating 13th century town
became a major industrial centre during the 18th and 19th
centuries, resulting in pollution coated stone buildings. In the
1980’s Ghent initiated a major restoration programme. Today, it is
the intricately carved stonework of its churches and medieval
buildings around squares, as well as the many excellent museums and
Het Gravensteen imposing gatehouse and castle which exhibits
gruesome instruments of torture, that give the centre its character.
Getting around in
Ghent is convenient by either bus or tram. However, many of Ghent’s
main sights are within walking distance of each other, and canal
cruises are recommended.
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No visit to
Belgium would be complete without sampling the weird and
wonderful beers the country produces. In both Bruges and Ghent
you will find some of the best bars offering some of these in
traditional atmosphere. You will not only find interesting local
food, but also extensive beer menus, featuring literally
hundreds of different beers, like Duvel, Kwak, Chimay and
De Verboten Frucht, to name only a few.
There is no
better end to a tiring day’s sightseeing - or beginning, for
that matter! |
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-
Johann Beukes |
