By Business & Finance 
Frits Potgieter, GM of Muckross Park Hotel & Spa
Frits Potgieter, General Manager of Muckross Park Hotel & Spa takes the Business & Finance 60-second interview.
Q. What was your first job? I worked as a bartender in a bar on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Q. What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date? A number of past employees are now in key roles in iconic properties around the world and my greatest achievement is the small part I would have played in their development. Q. In three words or fewer, how do you define success? A shared vision. Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Just do it…stop seeing obstacles and start seeing solutions and positive future outcomes. Q. How do you motivate yourself and your team? I believe in setting clear goals with a visual future outcome – involving our team in the process and celebrating milestones on our journey is motivational in itself. Q. If you could step into the shoes of one business person for the day, who would it be and why? It has to be Richard Branson, he personifies the ultimate entrepreneur and believes in shared success, he also seems to be great fun to be around. Apparently on his last day at school his headmaster told him he would either end up in prison or become a millionaire. That always makes me smile… Q. How do you relax? On a rainy day, a glass of fine Bordeaux and a decent crime fiction read. If the weather plays along, I find fly fishing immensely relaxing. Q. What’s your motto? Be positive, always, and commit to making those around you successful. Q. What are your aspirations for the future of your business? To continually drive service standards for our customers and consistently deliver exceptional guest experiences and to achieve this with sustainability at the core of all our future decision making.
A shared vision.
