Re: Recruitment
 

I've read a few of Icey's remarks and I see nothing really in this post or any other that would lead me to believe that this individual feels they are a know it all. and really more pointing out what the qualifications are to speak in authority about the subject.. I feel I can speak in an position of authority even as an American who has worked with many people in what should be the "customer service" area of Barbados and found that this service was sorely lacking 17 years ago when I first came here and today when I went to the store.. leads me to believe that nothing has come of any initiative, even though the big ups have tried.. they seem to have failed

Here is the problem with that statement. Many Barbadians work in positions were they are in contact with foriegn nationals ever single day and do to the fact that we are country completely reliant on foreign trade, business and tourism.. Barbadians HAVE to be able to be customer oriented people. Customer Service is Customer Service regardless of where you live.. It has no nationality or birth right.


Close the gate to what??.. Illegals immigrants for sure. and yes I agree, we have to preserve what is good and right about Barbados, but shutting the foreigner out is not the way to do it. I can only imagine what would happen to this country if we did that.

Re: Recruitment
 

Hi Jane from reading both of your comments it appears as if you are harbouring some sort of chip on your shoulder. It isn’t that I cannot take criticism. I would just rather it was a little bit more constructive, rather then an attack on the people who you think are going to cause you to be boxed and feel are going to make you feel claustrophobic. I have a Bajan background amongst other things if I felt so negatively about Barbados I wouldn’t be intending to move over there and I would not be engaged to marry a Bajan. You seem to think that I am coming over with a ‘Better then everyone else” type attitude. It is simply I see a gap in the market if you cannot see this that is fine, but I have had a positive reaction from practically every other “local” and tourist I have asked, you’d be blind to not see there is a need!
And just for your information the following comment makes me feel you would be better placed on a Bajan national front forum instead on an expat one
“For centuries, Bajans welcomed people from around the world with open arms, but because the immigration situation was allowed to get out of control for over a decade under the previous administration, and because of commitments CARICOM leaders have made to facilitate free movement of CARICOM nationals throughout the CARICOM states, many Bajans think that for our own survival, we must start closing the gate”

I find it very disrespectful that without knowing the full history of the posters on this site you are suggesting that some of us are not decedents of Barbados or have partners or children who are Bajan. In any case people have to jump through a dozen hoops just to get a work permit, not to have a free pass to leech on to what ever benefit system that exists over there.

What a horrid and bitter thing for you to say, to switch the friendly nature of a thread to something more sinister as whether or not I have the right to abode.

Re: Recruitment
 

ohh i enjoy a good debate

I must admit looking back when I first came to Barbados I was full of ideas on how to improve things and honestly Jane's view on foreigners coming here and telling us how to do things better was how I approached things although it was with good intentions.

Having lived in Barbados now I have had to realise that Barbados will only change when it is ready not when it is told to. I also did a lot of research into Customer Care and was involved with the initial planning of the NICE programme. I learnt that soo much has already been tried by Government, major Employers including Supercentre and BS&T but there is a lot of cultural and historical reasons behind why bajan employees do not buy into customer service. A lot is to do with pay, others are to do with the historical working realtionships as "workers" (local black bajans) with many of the major employers (white bajans).

I spoke to senior members of these companies who basically stated they have given up trying to change employees minds and are waiting for the new breed of UWI grads and other youngsters who have been exposed to the concept from young.

Icey I can honestly say that most niche ideas have already been tried or conceived within Barbados and as suggested by Sunnie I think?? there are already other companies doing what you suggest also there are very few openings for foreigners in the present climate.

I do feel that "closing the gate" is going to cut of key streams of income to the island - I have heard vistors are being told at the airport that they are coming too often to the island!!!! - these people bring their pensions, their savings etc and spend it here - how can it be not good for them to come often.

Im not a local so I appreciate the input of someone local to this forum - just hope this can be done without getting too personal.

Re: Recruitment
 

really interesting thread this one.

Icey, the large accounting firms do recruiting for companies, they don't advertise with that, you will see their names under adds in the papers. There are a few employment agencies on the island, check the yellow pages, a few in bridgetown, check OFFICE POWER online looks like something you mean.

Temping agencies like we know them in Europe don't really work in Barbados, the people here want security and don't believe in job-hopping, few people look for temporary work and it couldn't cater to foreigners because of the permit issue.

As far as the Customer Service issue is concerned, I find it extremely annoying at times, but there are many places in the world where this is exactly the same. I also know many places in Barbados where there is lovely and friendly staff, and excellent service.
Aren't we forgetting that many people love Barbados because it is a relaxed and friendly place, and then turn around and want to turn it into the place where we are fleeying from.
I have come with many 'foreign' ideas over the years, some worked, some didn't, I have received comment about "foreigners knowing all best", it is okay to have the ideas but very important to see what works here, Barbados is a small place and for that reason many things that work well abroad, just don't catch on over here, very important to explore the market.
And the Bajans don't like to be told how to do things by foreigners, eventhough they depend on their dollars, and I can't really blame them.
With all this I am not saying their is no room for improvement, just not to sure how 'consulting agencies' catch on here, specially with foreign background. I also remember to have read about the SBA doing something with CS.

Last thing I would like to mention which in my experience a lot of people do not seem to realise. Many complaints about service are about the lower income group, alot of these people do not own cars, get up at five in the morning to cook and wash and do their housework before they go to work, then catch one or two busses to get to work. To work for a wage that barely pays their bills. I am not certain if I would be 100% motivated in a situation like that, and I doubt if any training could make a difference there.

Icey, I don't want to discourage you, but I think I will not be easy to make a start in this line of business, have to agree with some of the things DIPIDY said, the changes will have to come from within the local population.
Don't be discouraged though, it's good to have people coming with fresh ideas and views, and there are always opportunities or ways to make things work.

Re: Recruitment
 

Thanks for that, i can appreciate that sometimes when things are written down the long worse then they were intending to be, I suposed when you are just to having things a certain way CS-wise then it is a slight sock to the system when things do not go according to plan.

Re: Recruitment
 

it wasn't strictly an attack on Bajans more me looking for a gap in the market. if i had plans to stay in the UK the i wouldn't need to worry as i am training to be barrister. However, I am putting my dreams on hold to see if i can find another succesful wy of surviving in barbados as some oe has already told me that Barbados doesn't need any more lawyers? is this true jane?

Re: Recruitment
 

Jane,

I have read with interest your last post and was wondering if you could help me. I know you have said that education and healthcare is in demand at the moment in Barbados. In terms of education, is there scope for special needs with language and communication as a specialty or is this already being fully covered in Barbados?

Re: Recruitment
 

Hi,

This forum was indeed an interesting one. I am a Barbadian living in the USA, I relocated a couple of years back and was just amazed at the rudeness, terrible customer service, and most of all the treatment I got as a returning national. I also thought about putting together an agency that would focus on customer service.

I read Janes's comments, a bit harsh but most of it is true. Nevertheless they truly is a demand for an improvement in customer service. I too have been shopping several times, and due to the nasty attitudes of most of the workers there, decided to wait until I return to the USA to shop. Why spend my money places where I was treated terribly?

I also was working there and had to interract with many government agencies, like the courts, the registry and other areas of Government and got an inside scope at how their work and viewed their jobs, and I can tell you it's terrible.

(Re: Bajans dont like foreigners to tell them what to do?) Somebody needs to inform Bajans that they stand to benefit more from changing their attitude and respect for others. Immigration happens everywhere, my country is beautiful and a lovely place to be, but so is other places............

I wanted to return home for such a long time and was appalled at the attitudes of the people. I think attempting to tackle customer service by opening an agency that would address these issues would be great.
I must say I will return there again, but with a different mindset, having digested that there are somethings that wont change there anytime soon, but I can change my response or how I choose to handle them.
If we all put our heads together maybe we can come up with something.


Best regards............J