The Pulse

Volume 1 Issue 4 Leisure Inbound- Employee Newsletter October 2013

Inside this issue

We are Trendsetters
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Outbound Training
The Other Side Farewell

The Market Say

Achievers New Faces at Inbound

Sports
Inbound Puzzle

Walkers Tours re-launched their corporate website on the 20

th

of September 2013, marking yet another milestone in the

company history. This award winning Responsive website was revamped to keep up with the current trends and is the first in the Leisure Group to be built using state of the art technology. The website previously was geared to be more corporate orientated but with the re-launch it is now more consumer driven. Experiences, Excursions, Special and Last Minute offers are now featured in the website.

Tourplan Upgrade! Tourplan is a complete tour operator/wholesaler software

solution designed for inbound, outbound and domestic tour operators providing group, FIT, tailor-made and packaged tours. It is designed to provide fast & accurate quotations, protecting margins and increasing sales. Tourplan system is trusted by 290 tour operator customers in 54 countries to run their businesses. Walkers Tours upgraded its Tourplan system to the latest version available in the market. The new and improved efficient features give us the competitive edge to offer a unique product to our customers whilst staying ahead of competition.

IDEAS

The

key

success

factor for any company is constant innovation. Keeping this in mind Walkers Tours and Whittalls Boustead Travel started a campaign to generate new ideas from within the team. A poster campaign was started to enhance our culture of innovation and will soon be followed by exciting competitions.

Great Learnings Whilst Creating Lasting Memories

Leisure Inbound Sector set out for their

Outbound Training which was called the Amazing Chase on the 13th of July 2013. After a briefing during the early hours of the morning, randomly picked 15 teams were dropped off by the facilitators at the Town Hall junction. The four hour training session involved running around the streets of Colombo searching for highly complicated answers and performing few nerve wrecking tasks. After the conclusion of the grueling yet highly productive training session the teams headed towards Bentota for an unwinding session at the Bentota Beach Hotel.

Mevantha It was humbling to know that intuition on what makes the perfect team is worthless when you fail to action what you already know.

Gayanga A day that forced us to think out of the box

With a chilled Amberalla juice warmly welcoming the exhausted members of our team the facilitators took the teams through Madawa the learning outcomes which were filled with I learnt new words that I never knew existed many embarrassing moments yet unforgettable memories. It was then time to jump in to the still blue water which was calling out to all. Afterwards it was all about a cool dip in the pool and Kamatha Lunch with a Calypso band and a DJ providing entertainment for all ages. Where the term young at heart was a proven fact and Riyaz corporate hierarchy was nothing but an illusion. The Inbound team set off to Colombo It was a great training which helped me to get ending the day with a bag full of learnings to know my colleagues better and most importantly great memories and tighter bonds.

Roshanka It was all about the team spirit

Arinda It was a great new experience

Prabath -It was an awesome experience Imran Best way to celebrate a birthday with my colleagues Harin I saw the videos of the training and was sad that I could not be a part of it Nifraz Sad I missed it. Looked like our guys had a lot of fun! Vinodhi I think Ive missed out on a great deal of fun Trevin Im usually very critical but I must say this was the best training ever

Ahamed There is no hierarchy when it comes to team work, and that was proven

Dilan

It was great to see such excellent team spirit

The Other Side

Many of us know Sachintha Fernando, fondly known as Sachi, as the Executive - Sustainability. Apart from been the individual making sure all ISO systems and processors are in place and ensuring all nonconformities are reported on time she does have an interesting back ground which many wouldnt know. Hailing from Ladies College Sachi was the captain of the Synchronized Swimming team. This straight A student got into the University of Colombo to further her higher education specializing in Business Economics and is currently holding a first class honors. She is also a CIMA passed finalist who will be graduating this December. Looking at her many would expect her to be the smart girl who would ace any examination; however she is no book worm. Balancing out her goals in life and furthering her passion for watersports she joined the Sri Lanka Navy Water polo team. She was recently awarded University colours for Netball, Basketball, Swimming and Athletics. Sachi was awarded with the opportunity to participate at an exchange programme by the University for her excellent academic records. She spent 6 months of her university education in University of Latrobe, Australia. As an exchange student from Sri Lanka and did manage to top the batch at the University of Latrobe during her 1st semester of her second year. Sachi is also a part time Assistant wedding planner who loves to let lose her creative side. All these achievements at such young age did not end there. She was nominated for the Zonta, Women in Business Scholarship Programme. Eleven highly talented young ladies were shortlisted for the final round of interviews with three well known personalities in the corporate world as judges. After the intense interviews one of the judges decided to match the prize money for the winner as he was highly impressed with the leadership and the intellectual capabilities of the candidate. The Zonta Jane M. Klausman award was won by none other than Sachi. She was chosen as the winner from Sri Lanka and was reviewed at district level where she became runner up to a candidate from Bangladesh. The panel of Judges was Mrs. Rohini Nanayakkara Pioneering woman banker, Mrs. Deepthi Wickramasuriya - Accountant and Mr. Susantha Ratnayake, Chairman of John Keells Group. Sachi was a member of the University of Colombo team which took part in the CIMA Business Challenge programme. With 72 Teams taking part the University of Colombo team managed to win the Sri Lanka challenge and advance to the main event which took place in South Africa in August 2013. She explains her time in South Africa as an experience of a life time. The best part about CIMA global business challenge was all the wonderful people I met. I had the opportunity to meet 96 participants from around the world as well as top global business personalities who have now become good friends. What are your Future Plans? I dont believe in having fixed long term goals. Life is so complicated, as we grow, we experience and discover new things in life, and what we want and who we want to become, changes. It is important to make the most of your life and try to do all the things you want. Right now I dont know what the future holds for me I hope it will be good Any message for the readers? Success is waking up in the morning knowing you are going to spend the rest of the day doing something you love. So be successful Born to a Sri Lankan father and a Chinese mother Sachi is the youngest of three. With an elder brother and a sister around she says life gets much easier to know I have them as a pillar of strength to support me in everything I do. There are three more members whom she refers to as her extended family. Her love for her pet dog Mike is endless, however in the presence of her cats Ashleigh and Barto, Mike ends up been ignored.

Farewell to Evan and Abey

Inbound bid farewell to two of its long standing members Evan Manager, Finance cum Cricket Captain, and Abeyrathna- Office Assistant. Evan, completing a stint of 10 years at Walkers Tours, which is also where he started off his career, moved within JKH to take up higher responsibilities at a sister company Abeyrathne, fondly known as Abey retire after serving the company for 20 long years.

Transport office in Mattakkuliya

The transport division of Inbound moved to Mattakkuliya on the 26th of August 2013. After the tradition of lighting the oil lamp and the boiling of milk our Sector Head Mr. Vasantha Leelananda addressed the gathering.

Achievers of Inbound
Leisure Inbound Sector held its Champion and Employee of the Year award ceremony on the 16th of September 2013. Shanendra and Stephani were awarded with the Champion and Employee of the Year 2012/ 2013 respectively.

Champion of the Year

Employee of the Year

Shanendra Fernando Champion of the year 2012/2013

Stephani Fernando Employee of the year 2012/ 2013

V-SPARC Winners

Awarded to: Ryan, Chaminda, Ruwan and Ramuald for been awarded the best ground handling team by the organizers of the 2 nd Asian Buddhist Culture and International Convention

Awarded to Chathura, Janaka, Nalinda, Riyaz, Sajahan, Hemal, Ashan, Dilshan for the excellent cycling tour organized for Kouni

Awarded to Saera for her commitment which allowed Inbound to participate at the Travel Trade Cricket 6s

Awarded to Ratnayake, Antonio, Hassen and Chaminda for going the extra mile to support the families of the deceased drivers

The Market Say

This new column will feature three individuals who will be described by their colleagues of their respective markets. For this issue we decided to talk to members of the Middle East and German Markets of Walkers Tours and the Whittalls UK team to inquire about Ishen, Angelo and Jayamali. This is what their teammates had to say:

Jayamali Perera
Fondly known as: Jiggles Maali, Jay Bird, Jay, Jiggy Bole Mostly heard saying : Ane yanna halo yanna Cartoon character that describes her : Nim Galuu Song title that describes her : Ging gand goolie Greatest Quality: Straight to the face Face it and deal with it Message from the market: You have been a part of this team but it was the transition from Glennie to Lakeside that brought you together with us. It is nothing but a joy to have you with us. Never down and out, all smiles even when we know the chips are down. Thats the way to go Jay!

Ishendra Pilapitiya

Angelo Gibson
Fondly known as: Pila Fondly known as: Angel / Gisbon Mostly heard saying : Me and More Cartoon character that describes him : Casper the ghost Song title that describes him : Silent Night Greatest Quality: Calm and Gentle Message from the market: The only person in the market who comes to work on time every day. Most of the time even before 07.30am hes in his seat.

Mostly heard saying : Dont use profanities Cartoon character that describes him : Frnakenstein , Because of the way he walks and talks
Song title that describes him : Im Sexy and I know it Greatest Quality: Never say No Message from the market: The Habebes would like to warmly welcome Pila and Mapila to the Middle East Market, may the good lord bless you with many friends just like us.

New faces of Inbound

Harini Gunesena

"It is not just a working place it is more than just a work place where you could learn amazingly"

Ashen Perera

"I would like to think this opportunity I got to work in this organization is a blessing from heaven."
Cheyenne Cuttilan

My stay here so far has been very pleasant. As this is undoubtedly one of the leading organizations, I'm extremely excited to be a part of it.

Dharshana Suraweera

"This is a great place to work, Surrounded by great people

Rangi Gunesekera

God is great to give me such a friendly environment to work. Looking forward to a good future

Thilina Kuruppu

"It feels great to be back! I feel like Im at home again"

Milani Senerat

A perfect atmosphere and way to start a new beginning in Sri Lanka!

in a Pleasing environment like this.

Imithiyaz Boharie

Its been a privilege working at walkers tours, and I'm happy to be a part of a dynamic team

Chathura Wannipura

It is like a dream come true to join JKH and I feel so lucky to work in a Pleasing environment like this.

JKH Intercompany Rugby 7s

Leisure Inbound was represented by two Rugby Teams at the JKH Intercompany Rugby 7s. Whilst A Team bagged the Plate, Team B became the Shield Champions. Inbound also became victorious in the Haka competition and participated in the Cheerleaders competition.

Mercantile Rugby 7s
Vasula, Radeesha, Dhiran and Charitha of Inbound were members of the JKH Mercantile Rugby team who became the Plate Champions at the Mercantile Rugby Tournament.

Mercantile Swimming
Inbound was Suren, Namith, and Stephani. runners up champions MAS represented by Stephen, Asitha JKH became to defending Holdings

Inbound Team at the Italy-Sri Lanka Business Council Bowling Tournament

JKH Inter Company Badminton Tournament

Inbound ladies B team (Sasala, Shivanthi, Randika, Nalika) emerged Runners up at the JKH Intercompany Badminton Tournament which was held on the 28th of September 2013 at the St. Thomas College indoor Badminton courts

Travel Trade Cricket 6s

The Inbound Ladies cricket team advanced to the semi finals by beating Kingsbury and Serendib Leisure. Losing the semifinals to the eventual champions of the tournament Amaya Hills, the team was about to pack up and head home. However instead of calling it a day they walked out of the grounds to find themselves occupying the nearby ground for the next couple of hours. These extended hours involved the team going back in time to visit their childhood memories where Dodge ball was a game of choice and high throw catches seemed impossible. After an eventful evening the team and the coaches headed to a nearby coffee shop to talk through the days happenings which involved a great deal of laughter and memories to treasure a life time.

Inbound Crossword No.03

The following crossword is based on employees at Inbound. Good luck guessing the names of your colleagues. Print out the completed crossword and hand over to HR before the 7th of November 2013. 1 1 2 3

4 2 4

5 3 6 5 9

8 6 7 8

10

Across 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. National Squash Champion Represented SL in Water Polo Kandyan Dancer Lives in Negombo Holds a certificate in Restaurant and Bar Service Married to Mangalika Malay Close to retirement Schooled at St. Lawrence

Down 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Joined in 1997 Born in 1988 Drives a Toyota Vitz Has a sibling working for JKH Daughters name is Evinda Trinity Ruggerite Owns a Pug Travel Counter Vocal Enigma Fan of Arsenal Football Club