TSBG host families – The Grossauers
A special feature of the Austrian tourism industry is that most of the businesses are family-run – there is the senior generation with the senior bosses and the junior generation with the junior bosses and all of them have their place and their function. Each one is an important cogwheel that keeps things running and contributes to the success of the company with its own talents and strengths.
And it is in this interplay between the generations that the next generation grows up and realises from the very beginning what it means to be part of a family enterprise.
In our 75 years of school history we have been able to train several generations of host families, providing them with the theoretical foundation, which they then successfully applied in the family business after one or two internships.
In the coming issues we would like to introduce some of these families.
The Grossauer family will be the first.
In 2020, the Grossau Group has grown to over 400 employees with 15 locations. It has its company headquarters in Graz.
Founder and boss Franz Grossauer manages the Grossauer headquarters and is actively involved in all new openings. The family business benefits greatly from the fact that everyone contributes with his/her own strengths: Franz, Herta, Robert, Michael Grossauer, Herta Widakovich-Grossauer, Christof Widakovich, Peter Kazianschütz, Isabella Edler and the youngest daughter Franziska Iberer-Grossauer.
The founders and owners Franz and Herta Grossauer decided to send their two children Caroline and Robert to the hotel management school in Bad Gleichenberg. At that time Franz Grossauer was just starting to build up the group of companies. The first restaurant was the Schnitzelkönig in the entertainment park at the Graz Fair.
Robert and Caroline took different paths – Caroline studied in Miami after graduating from high school and became a paediatric dentist. She is still enthusiastic about our school because she appreciates how the school shaped her and her brother as young adults and taught them to be independent.
Robert is thankful for the training he completed at the secondary school: “The school has been decisive in making me the host I am today. Just for fun, I often say: Although I was down in Gleichenberg, my children are now also at the same school. What I want to say is that it wasn’t always easy for me at school and boarding school. But today I am proud that I did not give up.
The next Grossauer generation is currently at the tourism schools and is thus well on the way to making its contribution to the family business. Lukas will graduate in summer. Valentina is in the 4th grade and is preparing for the practical diploma examination this year. Lena is in the 2nd class and “Freshwoman” Katharina has started her training on the campus this year.
As a successful host family, it is clear to all Grossauers that a company’s greatest asset is its own employees. And as is the case in our large TSBG family, important key positions in the company are also held by graduates from Gleichenberg.
Currently, there is Stefanie Hallemann, host at the Schlossberg restaurant, the Skybar and the Biergarten, Jasmin Ali, assistant to the management at Gösser Bräu, Daniela Zrim, who works in Franz Grossauer’s executive office, Bianca Herberth, executive assistance with a controlling focus at Gösser Bräu and Hannah Gsöls, event- & office management and executive assistant at the Schlossberg restaurant.
The Grossauer Group is built on a strong foundation, one that consists of its own family and dedicated and loyal employees. The group is growing and thriving, as is the family, and each part contributes to the great success.
TSBG-POWER in the Grossau Group:
Daniela Zrim, HLT graduate 2018
Position: Grossau head office / administration
“My To-Do’s are so versatile! – From the development & administration of the online shop “Grossauer Genusswelt” to the reservations & administration of the Fischwirt im Urmeer (invoice control, customer service, guest placement, and much more). The company offers varied work and everyday new challenging tasks. I particularly like the fact that the strengths and abilities of an employee are encouraged & developed. Furthermore, I am proud to have been involved in the opening of one of the Grossau restaurants, the Fischwirt im Urmeer!”
S
teffanie Hallemann, HLT graduate 2008
Position: Host on the Schlossberg Graz
“My areas are versatile, from office work/personnel to welcoming and of course presenting and implementing our Styrian hospitality on site. The Schlossberg presents a colourful variety of many different concepts, five to be exact! From a breathtaking à la carte restaurant, an event centre, the SKYBAR GRAZ with probably the best view on our beautiful state capital, our traditional Gösser Erlebnis-BIERGARTEN to our catering in the Kasematten. Since 2012 I am host on the Schlossberg!”
Jasmin Ali, college graduate 2015
Position: Since 2016 Assistant to the Executive Board / Assistant of Robert Grossauer
“My responsibilities include reservations & operational organisation, team management and accounting assistance.
I am proud to be able to work in such a long-standing traditional company, and I particularly like the variety in my job. On the one hand customer service – organisation of events, travel groups etc. on the other hand employee management. No day is like the other 😊”
Bianca Herberth, KTF graduate 2015,
Position: since September 2020 executive assistant with a controlling focus
„My main tasks are the calculation of the costs of sales of each department. The goal is: the reduction of our costs and the raise of sales and the improvement of our productivity. Although I am still new to the company, I already can say that I am very happy to be part of the team.“
Hannah Gsöls, HLT graduate 2017
Position: event- and office management in restaurant SCHLOSSBERG / executive assistance (Christof Widakovich)
“Since two years I have been able to call the most beautiful place in Graz, the Schlossberg, my working place. My workday ist full of new and exciting challenges. Besides the coordination and planning of events, regular office tasks as well as human ressources affaires I also do assist our managing director. I am proud to be part of the Grossauer family!”
