A leader needs to understand how to take CALCULATED RISKS, the emphasis being on the word 'calculated'. I believe that living with zero risk is extremely risky,
A Seasoned Luxury Hospitality Executive with extensive experience in Ultra-High-Net-Worth Leisure Asset Management, Human Resources Strategies, Strategic Management, Luxury Hospitality Operations, Brand Development in Cruises, Yachts, and Hotels.
Bertrand Petyt is an enabler of excellence, helping organizations to achieve their goals by rejuvenating management and operational processes. His methodology includes deep-dive business and operational analysis focusing on growth results and personnel retention. Bertrand is a strategic thinker and incisive communicator and currently holds Senior Management roles for leading organizations.
Bertrand comes from a hotel & cruise background, having worked for many years in several operational management positions for the Sofitel brand in the US and then as Corporate Fleet HR Manager for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Bertrand then took over the position of Business Manager for V.Ships; in this position, he oversaw the recruitment, training, and consulting services of V.Ships, working very closely with hotels and cruise lines in defining and implementing their Human Resources, Operational Standards, Recruitment, Brand Development, and Training strategies.
Bertrand also worked as Hotel Director on-board the 6-star vessels of Silversea Cruises, voted the Best Ultra-Luxury cruise line 9 years in a row, before rejoining the V.Ships group as Crew Operations Manager. V.Ships Leisure is the largest ship management company in the world, with over 1,200 vessels managed including the six-star fleet of Silversea Cruises.
Bertrand then assumed the role of General Manager & Chief Operating Officer for Monaco- based Parkview Private Collection, a company that regroups several leisure Ultra-Deluxe assets. In his capacity, Bertrand ensured the strategic and operational management of some of the most recognized luxury hospitality assets in the world, including Asia’s largest and most rewarded Private Yacht (Saluzi), Beijing’s Best Hotel (Eclat), Europe’s most prestigious Private Residence (Le Beauvallon), China’s largest Contemporary Art Museum Collection (Parkview Museums), as well as a London-based Townhouse available for private rentals.
Today Bertrand holds the responsibility of Managing Partner for Vitruvius Partners Group, a Paris (France) and Monte-Carlo (Monaco) based strategic consulting firm specializing in change management and ecosystem redesign services for the Leisure industry.
Bertrand is also an Adjunct-Professor of Management at the International University of Monaco where he is responsible for Hospitality Operations Management and Human Resources Management classes for Master-level students as well as Leadership classes for Bachelor-level students, as well as Board Advisor at Long Island University.
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Table of Contents
Let’s learn a little about you and really get to experience what makes us tick – starting at our beginnings. Where did your story begin?
Bertrand Petyt: My story started at a young age, when – despite the fact that I was raised in a scientific family with the obvious expectations to continue the legacy – I developed a passion for cruise ships and decided that it was to become my career, one way or another. I left Europe after having completed a Master of Science in a prestigious Paris university and headed towards New York City, where I completed my education with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Managerial Finance. Obtaining an MBA was a step I perceived as important to give me the tools to achieve my goals to enter the cruise industry and grow as a leader within it. I then entered the tourism industry, first in the luxury hotel sector (with Sofitel) in North America, where I was part of the opening team of several luxury hotels in the USA. After this important stepping stone, which gave me the hospitality tools I needed, I then moved onto the industry of my choice: the cruise line industry. I worked as an officer on board the luxury ships of Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises, up to the position of hotel director, as well as shore-based as Corporate Human Resources Manager, handling all HR matters for the line. I was subsequently head hunter by a Chinese real estate and leisure company headquartered in Monaco where I held the role of Chief Operating Officer/Chief Executive Officer, managing their ultra-luxury tourism assets globally. Once this company relocated to Asia, I decided to open my own entrepreneurial entity with a friend and business partner of mine.
Today, and together through Vitruvius Partners Group, we bring HR and Operational compliance tools to companies in the cruise and hotel sectors, capitalizing on our extensive expertise and passion for this industry and our team of C-Level Board Advisors who joined us in the adventure. Aside from this, I am also Chief Executive Officer of Ausonia C cruise Holdings, a Monaco-based Special Purpose Acquisition Company specializing in investing in the cruise industry, and Professor of Management at the International University of Monaco as well as a member of the Board of Advisors of Long Island University (New York).
My motto in life is to “enable people to tell their true stories so they may inspire greatness in themselves and in others. I try to remain true to this vision in everything I do, whether Academic (through my teaching assignments) or Business (by bringing a truly Human-based approach to changing management to my clients).
Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
Bertrand Petyt: I believe in the role of mentors. A great career is often based on your talent, your skills, your resilience, your curiosity, your passions and often also on a little bit of luck. However, Mentors play a major role in your personal and professional growth. I was lucky to have met several mentors who agreed to extend a helping hand along the way. Erik Anderouard, the regional Vice President of Accor North America, was – and still is – a role model for me; Erik taught me what I know about being a true hotelier, one that manages with a strong capable hand but also with a deep heart and genuine interest for others. I also benefited from the support and mentoring of Christian Sauleau, a senior executive in the cruise industry, who taught me that human values need to remain at the forefront of everything we do and that a great leader is first and foremost a great inspirer! Last but not least, today I am inspired by executives like David Giersdorf, a senior cruise industry leader, who demonstrates a powerful strategic vision, real guiding light, and role model for me.
Often leaders are asked to share the best advice they received. But let’s reverse the question. What’s the worst advice you received?
Bertrand Petyt: Parents want the best for you. Their concern is genuine, and their advice usually comes as a protecting hand. My parents – my mother specifically – always prompted me to “play safe”. Playing safe, in her view, was a guarantee that you would limit risk and ensure a smoother ride. I disagree with this and have led my left by doing the opposite. A leader needs to understand how to take CALCULATED RISKS, the emphasis being on the word ‘calculated’. I believe that living with zero risk is extremely risky, and made this statement one of my guiding principles. I also try to teach that to my students at the International Un diversity of Monaco, as this is something they don’t hear enough during their academic studies.
Resilience is critical in critical times like the ones we are going through now. How would you define resilience?
Bertrand Petyt: Resilience is a key character trait in great leaders. Resilient leaders have the ability to maintain their energy level under pressure, cope with disruptive changes and adapt. They bounce back from setbacks and inspire the same to their teams. Resilience is a crucial characteristic of high-performing leaders. Leaders must cultivate resilience in order to thrive. Resilience is tough though, and in recent months – especially during the last pandemic – my own resilience was tested multiple times. You build resilience like you build a muscle, so the good news is that if you are committed to it and have the right support system, you can – and will – build great resilience.
What is most important to your organization—mission, vision, or values?
Bertrand Petyt: At Vitruvius Partners Group, our vision is to create a better future for our clients. Our mission is to be the athletes of HR and Operational Compliance for cruise and hotel operators globally. Our values are INTEGRITY (We are fiduciary to our clients and the interests of our clients always come first. We say what we do and do what we say), PERFORMANCE (We are passionate about our work and intensely focused on performing at the highest levels. Our success requires that we out-think our competitors), and INNOVATION (Continuous innovation helps us bring the best to our clients. Innovation requires us to be respectfully anti-bureaucratic, to challenge the status quo and to not be afraid of failure).
I like to say that we are not consultants promoting a systematic approach, but rather advisors bringing human values back at the center of the equation to support change in our clients’ organizations.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
Bertrand Petyt: I believe that passion, resilience, and the ability to inspire oneself and others) are instrumental. Other elements which are key are: connect emotionally with others, establish stretch goals, communicate powerfully and broadly, develop and nurture others, forester innovation, champion change, and be a strong role model (walk the talk).
What have you learned about personal branding that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Bertrand Petyt: Your branding is about your reputation. It takes years to build, yet can be destroyed in a matter of days. AUTHENTICITY and CONSISTENCY are key parameters to build a strong personal brand. Who are you, truly? What makes you different? It is not about being “better” than others, it is about being “different”. The art of authentic personal branding is a process, whereby you take time to understand and identify with the real you, diving deep into your values, strengths, personality traits and your story, then putting your true self out there and consciously shaping the way you are recognised and remembered.
How would you define “leadership”?
Bertrand Petyt: Far from being linked to a position or a role, leadership is a very personal thing. It relates to whether you live your life authentically, with passion, and are able to inspire others because of your actions. A street cleaner can be a leader if his actions inspire greatness. Leaders are not born in my opinion, this is definitely a skill you develop, but you must have this initial understanding of what it means to be a leader, and not try to link it to a sense of power or professional status.
What advice would you give to our younger readers that want to become entrepreneurs?
Bertrand Petyt: Have passion for what you do. Have a clear vision of your ADDED VALUE, ie: how can you change the world? But first and foremost, be AUTHENTIC to yourself, don’t try to become someone else, live your life and share this with others in a genuine manner. Find a product/service which corresponds to your passion AND your talent and expertise. Build credibility FIRST, then set out to market that credibility through entrepreneurship. Believe in human connections, even if you hate networking (there is a difference between connecting with others and networking with others; try to NEVER network and ALWAYS connect).
What’s your favorite “life lesson” quote and how has it affected your life?
Bertrand Petyt: Revisiting a previous question, my favorite life lesson quote is “living with zero risk is extremely risky”.
It teaches you to take calculated risks in life and believe in yourself. Risks are only perceived (most of the time), and taking risks allows you to push your boundaries and realise that you set your own limits based on perceived risks. Being bold, while being wise, is key…
Mike Weiss, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Bertrand Petyt for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Bertrand Petyt or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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