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Minister of Labour, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo (2nd from right), officially launches NISE’s 100 Improvements in 100 Days campaign at the Bank of Nova Scotia, Rockley, on Monday. Looking on from left are Chairman of NISE Inc., Sir Keith Hunte; Assistant General Manager, Retail Banking, Eastern Caribbean of Scotiabank, Jennifer Murray; and CEO of NISE Inc., Kim Tudor. (A. Gaskin/BGIS)??

Barbados’ largest employer, the Government, is committed to employee engagement and will be striving to increase work efficiency, improve customer experiences and staff development.

This was emphasised by Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, Minister of Labour and Social Security as she addressed the launch of the National Initiative for Service Excellence (NISE)’s 100 Improvements in 100 days outreach programme at Scotia Bank, Rockley, Christ Church last Monday.??

Asserting that this would be done in Ministries, departments and statutory corporations across the island, she remarked: "Government continues to pay much attention to the education and training of its people."

The Labour Minister told those in attendance that employee engagement was a critical factor towards increasing productivity, and she noted that, "for some time, there has been a concern about worker attitudes, service delivery, productivity and service excellence."

Commenting on the results from a recent NISE Employee Engagement survey, Dr. Byer Suckoo stressed. "Barbados, which is heavily reliant on the provision of services, is running an economy at a low employee engagement level of 30 per cent. This cannot, and should not, continue."

She said regardless of the number of staff within an organisation, there were always areas in business that could be improved with greater team effort and staff involvement.

"Research has demonstrated that employee engagement is a good predictor of customer satisfaction, retention, productivity and profitability.??This is linked to the fact that employee engagement is considered a very good indicator of an employee’s positive or negative emotional attachment to his or her job, colleagues and organisation," Dr. Byer Suckoo pointed out.

Further stating that this would enhance the employee’s willingness to learn and perform at work, she emphasised, "Employee engagement must therefore, be viewed as an essential tool in the success of any organisation in the public or private sector."

Dr. Byer Suckoo praised NISE for the 100 Improvements in 100 days initiative, adding that she was excited to be a part of the project because it focused on employee engagement.??

She encouraged public and private sector leaders to participate in the challenge, noting that small goals such as opening their businesses five minutes earlier and responding to emails within 24 hours, were cost effective measures that could result in more satisfied customers and increased income.

"I also urge you to lead by example and to continue your valiant effort to work with and support your employees.?? The implementation of this initiative presents an opportunity for you to engage your employees, and to tap into their creativity, their skills and their knowledge," the Labour Minister advised.

She also urged employees to use the 100 Improvements in 100 days initiative as their "chance to shine".

"Embrace the opportunity to assist your managers and supervisors in resolving the challenges that compromise the quality of your output, and the satisfaction and loyalty of the colleagues and customers you interact with each day on the job," Dr. Byer Suckoo recommended.??

shamkoe.pile@barbados.gov.bb

Author: Shamkoe Pil??

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