“Today is a good day.” Says Minister Kwasi Thompson, Deputy Speaker; as he began his charge to the last  graduates of the 52 weeks National Job Programme. “Not only are you leaving with a diploma this evening, but you are also leaving with a paycheck.”

On Friday January 6th 2012, 213 Grand Bahamians graduated from the National Job & Skills Training Initiative. The Graduates undertook two weeks training and received their first paycheck just days before the Christmas holidays.

1,000 of the 3,000 unemployed Bahamians were selected from Grand Bahama to take part in this great initiative. ” This program has made a significant positive impact within our community,” says Minister Thompson. Currently some $208,000.00 per week is being placed back into the pockets of Grand Bahamians.” Deputy Speaker went on to say that there is another positive impact from this program, those businesses that need manpower and cannot afford to pay. The Government of the Bahamas will pay the salaries of some 3,000 participants of the program for a period of 52 weeks.

employment for grand bahamians

Acknowledgement was given to the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, The Right Honorable Hubert Alexander Ingraham for having such a great vision for Bahamians during this economic crisis. This initiative is definitely stimulating the economy of the Bahamas.

The increasing amount of crimes committed by our nations youth has the entire Bahamas in fear of what our future holds for the next generation. Everyone is looking for an answer to this escalating problem. The Government of the Bahamas with our Prime Minister at the helm decided to take charge and launch a National Youth Programme, Volunteer Bahamas.

The launch of this great initiative took place simultaneously at the Sheraton at Cable Beach, New Providence and Pelican Bay, Grand Bahama on Tuesday, November 22nd 2011. Pastors, Politicians, Youth Leaders, Service Organization Leaders and Volunteers all gathered to get first hand information on the much needed initiative spearheaded by the government.

In the Honorable Charles Maynard,  Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture’s remarks; he stated that this programme is the answer to the root cause of the social ills of our society.  Minister Maynard also pointed out that through volunteerism, numerous young men and women lives made a 360 degree transformation. He drew reference to an outstanding Bahamian Boxer Valentino Knowles; who was involved in boxing from the age of 6. Mr. Turner and Miller motivated and mentored this young man; who is now ranked #2 in America and #27 in the world. Although involved in boxing; Mr. Knowles was a product of his environment  and was in and out of trouble throughout his teen years, but it was the intervention of people who volunteered and invested their time in Valentino, that turned him around.Valentino  Knowles said, “society was behind me, encouraging me to do better and boxing kept me from a negative environment”.

Prime Minister of the Bahamas, The Right Honorable Hubert Alexander Ingraham was the Guest Speaker. Prime Minister Ingraham said that the focus of the programme is to build a safer, healthier and Non violent community and also to build existing community services programmes. The Government’s aim is to foster virtues such as kindness, compassion and manners and respect. In his speech, Prime Minister stated that the Government alone cannot fully address criminality, instability and antisocial behaviors; but Families, Churches, Social Clubs in collaboration with the government is all required to resolve the problem of crime in our community.

To date 359 persons have volunteered for the programme and the government is asking that others do the same. Forms can be obtained from the government’s website :www.bahamas.gov.bs and forwarded to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture at either the Nassau or Freeport’s Office. Service Organizations are also asked to come and register their Organization with the Ministry; as individual volunteers will be forwarded to their service clubs as well.

For more information on the programme, send an email to: volunteer@bahamas.gov.bs

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER

BACKPACK SAFETY

Everywhere you turn, companies are downsizing due to the depressed economy. What can you do to secure your employment, during these difficult times? Here are some tips that Bahamian Illustrated recommends to make you indispensable at work.

Speak the language of business
Every business speaks in a single language. It is the language of money. Whenever you think about yourself and your skills, try quantifying your value in terms of money you’ve saved or made the company — and how you can continue to do so. For instance, if you report that you followed up on 23 new customer leads last week, also tell how many of them requested quotes and how much income these potential sales could generate.

Show versatility of skills
“The last thing you want your boss to do is to think of your job as one that practically anyone can fill. Showing that you are capable not only of doing your present job well but that you possess abilities beyond your job description makes you more valuable and promotable. Multi – tasking should be the order of the day. Look for opportunities to mention and display transferable skills. For instance, if your boss asks for help formatting a document, you might respond by saying, “I don’t specialize in that program, but, tell you what; I’ve always been a problem solver. Let me take a look for you.”

Treat your boss like a customer
“Never forget that your boss is a customer: somebody who trades value (a paycheck) in the expectation of receiving value (your productivity),” Griffin, the Author of become indispensible at work notes. “To deliver total satisfaction to this key customer, you need to make it your business to know as much about his needs, wants and expectations as you possibly can.”

Foremost, you need to do excellent work. Ask questions to gather as much information as possible so that your output matches his desires. Take ownership when an issue comes up, meaning don’t let go of a subject until a satisfactory solution has been found.

Connect with Customers

Make an effort to connect with every client or customer you see. Make eye contact often, and it is very important to learn their names. Use Client’s names several times during your interaction with them. If a client feels welcomed or has a personal connection, they are more likely to return, thus making you indispensable.

Be the Company’s diplomat
A final piece of advice from Griffin: “The indispensable man or woman creates rapport with everyone in the workplace. It is up to you to see for yourself and to persuade others to recognize that the common goals of the enterprise outweigh all differences, conflicts and private motives.”

Some ways to do this include:

·   Using rapport-building vocabulary; think “we, us and our” instead of “I, me and  you.”

·   Avoiding language that causes panic, such as “crisis,” “fault” or “cannot.”

·   Demonstrating respect for the property, space and time of others.

·   Offering to help, especially without being asked.

·   Treating criticism as suggestions for improvement.

·   Being accountable and apologizing when necessary.

·   Resolving disagreements in ways that add to the bottom line, not that prove one person or the other was right.

By being the person who brings the team together, keeps the team together and positions it to win, bosses and colleagues will have a hard time envisioning the workplace without you.

Did you know that over 90% of the way we communicate is non verbal? Less than 10% of our everyday communication are actual words. When we speak to people, they tend to listen to our body language and tone, more so than your actual words.

While interacting with people and customers in particular, it is very important that our words matches up with our body language and tone of voice.

Have you ever entered  a business establishment as a customer and the clerk or worker says, “Morning, need some help?”; but gives you absolutely no eye contact, no smile or any other welcoming behaviors? In speaking to you, you can tell that they are not sincere because their tone and body language states otherwise. Well this is a perfect example of words and actions not matching up.

Good communication skills ties in with great customer service. It is important for us to show appreciation and respect to our customers, not only through words but also deeds. We may say that we provide good service but actions speak louder than words.

Picture yourself entering a store after  having a pretty rough day. All you really want to do is get out of your home and ventilate via shopping and experience some good customer service. You are totally ignored by both the store clerk and cashier who gossiped uncontrollably until you shout out  for assistance. Fed up as ever, you decide to contact their boss. So you ask for the manager, only to meet someone with a nastier attitude towards service than their staff.

If you can relate to this scenario, you are not alone. There are numerous unreported cases like this. Most customers simply take their money and business elsewhere and talk negatively about the company, resulting in loss of business and eventually the closure of many companies in the Bahamas .

Imagine that boss being a more positive person who was more concerned about your needs opposed to their feelings? The cashier would then be forced to adapt to the company’s positive culture.

Not everyday is going to be perfect. Some days are extremely chaotic. This need not be reflected in our attitude towards other human beings, especially since they are spending their hard earned money. After all, they are the boss right?

If you are a person responsible for subordinates, do yourself and the company a favor: maintain a positive attitude. Positive attitudes don’t hurt they help! Be the change you wish to see. Make your contagious, positive attitude worth catching.

Check back for updates. This page is coming soon.

As service providers, we take for granted the importance of customers that walk through our doors daily. For the next 6 months; we will give you tips on service from the customers perspective.

As a customer, it is important to be acknowledged. Consider 10 feet around and about you, as your service stage. At 10 feet, acknowledge your customers and at 5 feet greet them. (This will be known as 10 and 5 rule of service).

How can we acknowledge them when we are serving other customers? Give them eye contact, smile, nod, say, “I’ll be with you shortly” etc.

How should we greet our customers? Good afternoon, Good morning, How can I help? How can I be of assistance? NEVER USE ONE WORD when addressing customers such as: next, no, yes etc. While addressing your customers be warm and personable. Customers like to feel valued and appreciated. So “roll out the red carpet for them.” They deserve it after all, they really did not have to shop at your establishment.

Whether you are employed, job hunting, or simply planning to get into a college you must realize the importance of keeping a neutral overview on any social network you are a part of. Persons who are considering hiring you are also looking at the fascinating or filthy content you are spitting out of you virtual mouth onto the clean grounds of various social-networking floors.The same applies to schools and other prestigious organizations you may apply to. As far as these persons are concern: “you are what you tweet!” So next time you feel like spilling out some filth, step away from your PC, consider calling a friend or writing it on paper and shredding it! Whatever you do keep your tweets (online voice) professional and clean.