EDITORIAL
Barbados is going through a process of recovery as the country is feeling the effects of a pick up in economic activity. Government has had the difficult task of putting the economy back on track and daily, Barbadians have to do lend the necessary support to Government through their labours for this to happen. Indeed, we agree that such training is essential as business owners should have been compelled to ‘step up their game’ or be left behind.
It is necessary that the traditional values of friendliness, helpfulness and willingness to serve be reinforced in the Barbadian psyche especially at this time, because this can enhance development and our future as a country with regard to the way we do business with residents and visitors alike. This extends to those in Government offices, some of whom believe that the jobs are never going to be in jeopardy, but are also feeling the negative effects of the global economic problems and allowing them to reflect in their attitudes toward customers. At a time when Government is fighting for Barbadians to retain their jobs as far as they can – because the power of the consumer is also important – this co-operation on the part of the workforce is essential.
We realise the potential damage of the negative attitudes that have been allowed to circulate within the business environment in Barbados. Many customers from various backgrounds are more educated in service excellence and they expect nothing less than the best from service providers. Tourists come to our shores – not because they have to, but because they believe they can benefit from the Barbadian experience. Therefore, an increase in negative behaviour will drive them away and we cannot afford for this to happen. An overall improvement in service excellence would be a boost for the country’s morale while increasing the volume of business within Barbados.
We need to pay attention to the small details and improve slowly in many areas. Some of us are guilty of allowing a seemingly entitled mentality to affect the goals that we set for our success. We must set our goals and each one of us must be motivated to make an effort to stand out, especially amongst other countries who have long realised that customer service and a co-operative attitude are key components in standing out as the ideal place in which to do business.
We must always bear in mind that with the availability of social networking, it is easy for customers to share experiences, whether good or bad. It is therefore necessary to ensure that customers have more positive than negative encounters.
Hence, we must find solutions to enhance the mindset of our population so that we can do better in the long-term. The onus is on everyone to be mindful of the fate that we are crafting for future generations with the current attitudes that are increasingly becoming visible, especially among the workforce. We have started to chart this course, but success requires a change in attitudes across the island.