Playmobil’s ‘FOCUS’ collective performance management system won an award at the Malta People Awards 2010, in the Performance and Reward category. The award was presented to Ivan Refalo, Performance and Development Manager at Playmobil Malta Ltd, by Antoinette Caruana on behalf of awards sponsors Simonds Farsons Cisk, in the presence of Playmobil CEO Helga Ellul.

Commenting on ‘FOCUS’, Mr Refalo explained that the system “…is aimed at encouraging teamwork and continuous improvement across the whole company while centring on the company’s core activities. It is based on the three pillars of productivity, quality and waste, with performance results being measured and communicated quarterly”. This was Playmobil’s second successive achievement at the People Awards in as many years, having won an award for its Excellent Training and Development initiative last year.

Meanwhile, the Playmobil FunPark recently became one of the first tourist attractions to be awarded the Quality Assured Seal by the Malta Tourism Authority. The award recognises the quality experience visitors enjoy when visiting the park. According to the MTA, it also places the FunPark as one of the nine tourist attractions that have so far adhered to the guidelines and recommendations set out in the preliminary audits held over the summer months by the Authority. As a result of the award, the FunPark now features as an MTA-recommended top attraction for visitors. This award also means that the FunPark will continue to be regularly audited against a range of specific quality criteria.

Playmobil Marketing and Sales Manager Anna Agius,, who also runs the FunPark, said: “This award is very important for the FunPark and its staff, as it puts the attraction on the map.” She also praised the MTA for the way the audit was carried out and for the advice provided by the auditors throughout the entire process.