by Dr. Iain
Corness
A young Danish boy wanted to buy a motorcycle, so he
took an after-school job in a hotel working as a bellboy. “I got a lot
of tips from people (who were sorry for this small boy carrying their
heavy suitcases) and I thought, this is a great job.” In fact, Ole
Nielsen thought it was such a great job that he stuck with it, despite
some parental opposition.
He is now the general manager of the Sofitel Raja
Orchid Khon Kaen, and is a man who can be seen ‘patrolling’ his
property, dressed formally in a suit and tie, at seemingly any hour of the
day or night. This is the story of a very interesting man.
Ole’s
father was an astute businessman who imparted that sense of “proper”
Danish behaviour, but at the same time both his parents bestowed upon him
their own sense of humour - something which came out all the way through
the interview. Ole Nielsen is a master of the quick ‘one liners’,
something he said his mother taught him.
When young Ole’s schooling was over, he joined the
hospitality industry full-time, as a waiter. “In the staff room, I would
listen to the old waiters, some of whom were at least 21 or 22 years old,
talking about their trips overseas, and I knew then, when I ‘grew up’
I wanted to travel the world.”
He told his father of his wishes to make it in the
hospitality industry and the long suffering Nielsen Senior said that if
his son were going to follow this career path, he should do it properly,
so Ole was enrolled in a three year course in the best hotel in Copenhagen
- as a waiter. (And you thought it was easy bringing food to the table?)
He had no sooner completed his training than he was
called up for military service for one year. “The day I got out they
reduced it to nine months!” And did the Army put him in the catering
corps? No, it was Signals (communications), but Ole did not regret his
time in boots and battle-dress. “It was good fun. It taught you self
esteem and you learned to adapt to a (diverse) community group.”
During his apprenticeship he had met up with another
trainee who also wanted to see the world, so they decided they would go to
Australia overland. Unfortunately, by the time his national service was
over, his friend had married and the original plan was no longer possible,
but Ole decided to go anyway. So on his 21st birthday he left Denmark and
spent the next two and a half years in Australia, rising to the level of
restaurant manager.
By this stage he had heard of a famous hotel school at
Cornell in America and applied to go there, but was told his
qualifications were not good enough. Further training was necessary, so he
completed a three year course in eighteen months in Denmark to become
eligible. He also completed a course in wooing and winning and marrying
Ella, a partnership that still stands today. “I never got to Cornell, I
got married instead.” The pair left Denmark 22 years ago and have never
been back to live there since. “In fact, we call Australia our second
home. We lived there from 1980-1996.”
During that 16 year period he was asked if he were
interested in ‘cross-training’ and so he experienced many of the
different career posts in the hospitality industry, working as a night
auditor, in banquets and accounting, amongst others. “There are so many
different aspects or work opportunities (in this industry). That is what
makes it so interesting. It is not a job - it is a lifestyle. You either
love it or hate it.”
After his Australian stint he was sent to Hong Kong for
two years and then returned to Australia - but Ole and Ella had tasted the
oriental flavours and were looking for the right opportunity to return.
This was a circuitous route, through New Zealand and the Philippines and
then to Myanmar (Burma).
He enjoyed his time in Myanmar. “The people are
thirsting for knowledge. It’s the ‘real’ Asia.” But his next
posting, with the Accor Group, was to the Sofitel Raja Orchid Khon Kaen.
“I am still excited by it all. Every new destination has different
challenges, with so many different cultures. There will always be some
places closer to your heart. But remember that not every destination is a
‘Dream Boat’ like this hotel.” (Let me assure you that from the
guest’s perspective, Ole’s hotel is just a simply amazing 5 star hotel
set in the heart of Esarn.)
The hotel industry itself also represents different
challenges. For example, with such a peripatetic occupation, the Nielsens
decided that they would voluntarily not have children. Ella too, has had
to make sacrifices. “She has given up a lot for my career,” said Ole.
We discussed the hospitality industry as a career
opportunity for young people and Ole was careful to stress that there
should be caution in recommending it as a lifetime option for school
leavers. “It has to come naturally. If you enjoy being with people, the
lifestyle itself is fantastic.”
And where would be the next challenge for this
energetic man? “What’s next? I don’t really know. I just wait and
see where Accor sends me. Perhaps China?”
It was obvious that with the way Ole throws himself
wholeheartedly into his job, there would not be much time for hobbies. He
plays some tennis, reads non-fiction books and is trying to learn golf.
But this has not made him a dull person in any way. With his eyes
twinkling behind his glasses, he said, “Life is too short to be too
serious. Having a bit of fun in your life keeps you young.” And with
that, and a friendly handshake, Ole Nielsen strode off to meet that
day’s next challenge - whatever it might be!
