Helping to keep Boardwalk’s heart beating with efficiency and passion, this year marks 15 years for Shanaaz Borman as Boardwalk Hotel and Casino’s executive secretary.
During this time she has played a supporting role to four general managers.
The born-and-bred Gqeberha woman recalled how proud she was to be hired by Sun International to join Boardwalk Casino in 2009 as an executive office administrator.
“The interview process and tests were intense, it felt like a huge accomplishment.
“The training also made me feel like I wanted to be part of the team, deeply ingraining a sense of passion and dedication,” the 43-year-old said.
As a hospitality business, a large part of her role is focused on customer service.
“I deal with complaints that reach our general manager, Tati Tsunke’s office. This means maintaining composure, being polite and calming the customer down by sorting the problem out.
“Most people are happy when you come back to them with feedback.”
As a wife and mother of two teenage daughters and a five-year-old son, Borman uses these skills in her personal life as well.
Aside from daily administration support and project communication, for the past three years, under Tsunke’s guidance, Borman has also managed Boardwalk’s socioeconomic development projects, which are a crucial focus for Sun International.
“I vet, monitor and evaluate the projects while leading the project team and timelines from start to finish.
“Last year we handed over the Walmer Township Cricket Nets which was my first big project, and we are looking at doing a coaching clinic in the next school holiday.
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of beneficiaries and knowing we are making a difference in their lives is the most amazing feeling,” she said.
Under Borman’s leadership, Boardwalk last year won four awards at the Eastern Cape Gambling Board CSI Awards for various projects.
“The satisfaction of seeing a project come to fruition from the planning stage to completion has fuelled my passion for studying in this field.”
She has completed many learnership courses with Sun International over the years such as a business administration course and will study towards a project management diploma next.
“Being part of the changes at Boardwalk over the years has been amazing — when I joined, the hotel had not yet been built.
“You have to embrace change and go forward with it to get things done.”
“Over the years I have done it all and had the pleasure of meeting several famous people including various Miss South Africas, Saudi princes, and soapie actress Katherine Kelly Lang from The Bold and the Beautiful.”
Having worked with three previous general managers, Borman said she had been lucky to enjoy good working relationships with all, despite their different leadership styles.
“Currently we have a young, dynamic team, and a culture of openness and sharing under Tati, who lets you get the job done in your way while still driving you to achieve.”
HeraldLIVE
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