Interview with Kurt Biermanns Interim-Consultant F&B Controls Torarica

Mr. Biermanns started his interim assignment in Torarica on March 15, 2004 . He’s originally from Austria but spend most of his life in the Caribbean . He started his career in the Carlton Hotel in Amsterdam and Hoge Duin Hotel in Wijk aan Zee in the Netherlands . After these experiences he went to Aruba where he became Food & Beverage Manager in one of the well-known tourist hotels. Then he decided to start his own business, a cocktail lounge and afterwards a Caribbean bistro. At the moment he’s working as Interim-Consultant F&B Controls in Torarica.

	Lindsay Mankupranata, Kurt Biermanns, Henriëtte Moenasir

Why did you choose Suriname ?
“I have good Surinamese friends and know the Caribbean way of life. I was planning to go to Tanzania in Africa but then I heard about the vacancy in Torarica. The decision was made easily.”

What’s your job description?
“My assignment is to restructure the F&B Supply and Controls flow in Hotel Torarica. This means restructuring purchasing, storage, issuing and controls procedures. We have installed a new purchase inventory system to make everything more efficient. To get to the implementation phase, changes have been made in the organisation structure. The effort of the employees and staff members made this project successful.”

What was your first impression?
“The atmosphere of the hotel was very pleasant and personal, just like a family hotel. It was obvious that the General Manager work approach is bases on a personal leadership strategy”

What is the main difference between Suriname and your hometown at work?
“People in Suriname are far more social than in Austria or the Netherlands . For example, my colleagues from hotel Torarica also became my friends and it’s not strange to meet in an informal environment. I guess people are more interested in your personal live. In Europe it’s very individual.“

What about the cultural and social differences?
The mixture of different cultures and religions is very special on this point of the globe. Everyone lives peacefully together. There are not many countries in the world that can say the same thing.

Do you also recognize similarities?
“The hierarchic relations are the same as in Austria . It is more top down then bottom up. Everyone looks up to authority/management and is very loyal. I think this has to do with culture and social standards and values.”

What do you do when you are off work?
“I’ll bring a visit to one of the terraces, for example ‘t Vat and have a drink. I also like to play tennis. When possible, I try to make trips to the Interior of Suriname. I went to Galibi where the famous sea turtles come to breed.”

What is your advice to people who are considering coming to Suriname ?
Don’t look for beaches, but look for nature and cultures!