Ema Škabar, the current General Manager at Orvas YACHTING, started her journey with the company during her last year of studying economics. At the time, Orvas only had one brand, Orvas Yachting, and its fleet consisted of just 5 bareboat yachts located in Aci Marina Split. Ema’s role in the company involved a range of responsibilities, including booking, sales, reception, organizing end-cleaning for the boats, and concierge services, among others. With only three team members, the work was both intensive and challenging.
However, as the company’s fleet expanded over the years, so did Ema’s role in the organization. She was promoted several times, ultimately achieving the position of Commercial Director after eight years and General Director after 20 years. Ema’s dedication and hard work have been instrumental in helping Orvas YACHTING grow into the successful company it is today.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted by World’s Leaders and Ema Škabar:
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
With the enlargement of the fleet, we also started to work as a travel agency with three brands: Orvas Yachting, Orvas Villas and Orvas Experiences. Today we have over 200 yachts (bareboat and crewed) and over 400 luxury villas in Croatia.
Being the owner of yachts, villas, and hotels and having a concierge team makes us different from the competition.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
When I think about facts that made me successful, I would say that people and new great ideas made me successful. Without people, even the best idea is nothing. I have the opportunity to work with a great, passionate team that cares about its others and about the profit of the company. Actually, I would dare to say that they treat the company as if it were their own.
The values of the company are the following:
- We trust in people.
- We have a passion for winning.
- We encourage the ownership approach.
- We act with honesty and integrity.
- We show respect for all individuals.
- We highly esteem personal mastery.
- We are attuned to changes.
What are your responsibilities as the Founder/CEO of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
My responsibilities as the company’s general manager are to take daily care that all actions are according to our KPIs that will generate maximum profit at the end of the year. To do it, I have to take care of my team and know at any moment how they act and what kind of obstacles they have. I’m there at any moment for them as a support for their daily issues.
The happiest part of my daily routine is the beginning of the day when I have coffee with my team.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
My advice would always be to listen to his/her team.
