Brian Noel: Bringing Plantation Bay to Stellar, New Heights

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu is no stranger to the visionary streak of Brian Noel. Recipient of the “Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year” award by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2017, he has served as general manager for one of the metro’s well-loved restaurants for fifteen years, and has also had a hand in the formation of a successful boutique food manufacturing company.

A BS Management Accounting graduate of the University of San Carlos and currently taking his MBA at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business MBA-Regis Program, Brian broadened his horizons in January this year in taking the mantle of general manager of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

He recently participated in Harvard University’s Professional Development Program: Becoming a Leader, Developing Your Style and Making Sound Decisions, and has also completed the General Managers Program at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York as a means to augment his capacity to take on the challenges of his new position.

The Freeman recently got to talk with Brian, who is set on bringing Plantation Bay to stellar, new heights.

The Freeman: Brian Noel is currently the general manager of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, who is not only keen on causing progressive shifts for the resort, but also in the local hospitality and accommodations sector. Before this, who was Brian Noel?

Brian: I come from a family that owns and operates a successful restaurant chain in Cebu and Manila, and I would say customer service and hospitality has always been in my blood.

Prior to being the general manager of Plantation Bay, I managed my family’s restaurant and started a boutique food manufacturing company with business partners called Plantation Prime, with products that cater to Filipinos based overseas. Our Halal Certified products are available to our brothers and sisters in Australia and the Middle East. I also spearheaded a massive up-and-coming first class real estate development project in Bukidnon.

It’s not so much of a leap from operating restaurants, to food manufacturing, to real estate, and now managing one of, if not, the top resort in Cebu.

The Freeman: How has your experience as a restauranteur and entrepreneur emboldened you as the general manager of one of Cebu’s longest-running homegrown resorts?

Brian: Resilience is one of the key factors that I can integrate into my transition from an entrepreneur to a general manager. Most people think that being a business owner is a 9 to 5 job, when in fact, being responsible for the company and all your employees goes with you beyond your time at the office.

Similarly, running a resort is a 24-hour commitment. Not that I work 24/7, but it means I know my people and the ins and outs of our operations. Management is not a one man show. It involves everyone, from the staff to our supervisors to our managers. We delegate tasks but not responsibilities.

Managing a business is not always smooth sailing. We’ve had our share of difficulties, but what emboldens me is my synergy with my team. It’s easier to get things done and overcome hurdles when you’re with a team that is just as tenacious in succeeding. My experience will tide me through challenges, but it’s our people, our team, who are behind our success.

The Freeman: All leaders subscribe to a school of thought – a philosophy of operations, so to speak. What leadership dictum do you subscribe to, and how do you aim to integrate this in your tenure as Plantation Bay’s general manager?

Brian: The work principle I live by is “lead by example”. This simple statement has ascertained that when you show sincerity and integrity in what you do, others will follow suit. By conforming to this mindset, you build a collaborative culture that promotes employee growth and fortifies the organization’s teamwork in achieving a common goal.

My goal is not merely about driving business success; it is about having a hand in shaping the future of tourism in our country. The vision is still the same – to position our country as the ultimate tourism destination, benefitting not only Plantation Bay but the entire nation, its communities, and its people.

The Freeman: It is characteristic of leaders to impart parts of themselves into the organizations they are helming. How do you think would this pan out for you as Plantation Bay’s general manager?

Brian: One of our goals at Plantation Bay is to become the best workplace in the country. Our bright, cheerful, and proactive people are our biggest asset, so our decisions are geared towards their well-being. Because when you take care of your people, they will take care of your guests and business.

All our staff receive good wages as well as quarterly bonuses. We give all staff members manifold opportunities for personal development, even if we know that in some cases it will lead to their leaving us for jobs abroad. Our “alumni” are now in every corner of the world, from the Maldives to Whistler, Dubai to Monte Carlo. As a result of its policies, Plantation Bay is the only major hotel in the country which has no labor union, nor has there ever been an attempt to start one.

Nor have we skimped on our supervisors, who are regularly sent for training in Manila, Singapore, and Thailand, or on our managers, most of whom were sent for studies at Cornell University in New York, the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, and other venues in Italy, Spain, Australia, and the United States.

As Plantation Bay’s new general manager, I intend to continue these practices to ensure we have a competent workforce who are happy to take care of our guests and proud to work for the resort.

The Freeman: What are you most looking forward to in your tenure as general manager?

Brian: I look forward to upholding the reputation of Plantation Bay as the best workplace in the country. We have several staff who have been with us since the resort opened in 1996, and as their new GM, I learn from them as they also learn from me. I am delighted to work with such a dedicated and loyal team in creating memorable moments and memories for our guests.

I also look forward to reconnecting with our industry partners now that more people are traveling. I met with most of them recently, and we’re excited to develop packages that will appeal to guests. Healthy competition is always welcome, so it is exciting and challenging for me to ensure Plantation Bay’s standing as one of the country’s premier resorts.

With that in mind, aside from reconnecting with our existing travel partners, I want to create new partners and even different markets for the resort. Over the years, Plantation Bay has proven its resilience and caliber in the industry. As a challenge-driven person, I look forward to bringing Plantation Bay to new heights. — (FREEMAN)