News
Is lack of empowerment in the workplace negatively impacting the customer experience in TCI?
#TurksandCaicos, November 14, 2022 – Research has clearly shown when employees feel empowered at work, it is associated with stronger job performance, job satisfaction, and commitment to the organization or institution.
Despite our stellar rating as one of the world’s top tourism destinations, many would agree in some cases what we have seen over the years in Turks and Caicos Islands, is not a reflection of workplace empowerment. Be it in government or the private sector, the lack of ownership and empowerment is prevalent in some offices.
Management in some cases has failed to empower their employees by delegating authority, decision-making, and sharing of pertinent information.
Working in top management positions for a large portion of my career, I have found that if you ask the right questions, in most cases you will find the answer is right in the room amongst your employees.
It behoves management to take the time to solicit employees input. Employees are the face of your business or institutions and through their interaction, they know what’s needed to satisfy the customer.
Furthermore, it’s pointless to solicit employees input if the information only remains in a file and nothing is implemented.
Follow up with the employee or committee on reasons why their input may or may not work at this particular time.
What I have found over the years is, if given the autonomy, in most cases employees are not seeking attention but simply know what they are doing and do it with pride.
Often times, what the customer perceives to be an attitude from the employee, could be a result of pent up frustration due to the lack of support or relevant information from their direct reports.
We need leaders in the workplaces who are not afraid to delegate authority to their employees, ask for their input, and encourage autonomous decision-making.
In my opinion, I believe it’s not being done due to the fear of being replaced, which is small minded thinking. To the contrast, it makes your own job easier and the office becomes more productive and customer centric. 
Granted, employees will fail from time to time, but it’s all a part of learning. What’s important, is to have biannual performance based reviews with your employees so they are aware of the expectations, shortcomings and their progress.
On every job, you will find highly creative individuals just waiting to be discovered or given the opportunity.
Challenge them to generate novel ideas and to think of new ways of doing things rather then the status quo, just because the office has always done it that way.
Apart from delegating additional work, empowering leadership is also about mentoring and supporting employee development; not exploiting them, which we know is all to common in some cases.
What we need are leaders who can lead, not just checking off the boxes or just because they are your most reliable employee.
By empowering employees it allows them the opportunity to take more ownership of their role, and this is where a number of government departments, office settings and stores in our country are lacking.
It’s my belief that empowering employees in public service businesses such as the hospitality sector, healthcare or licensing departments is crucial. Most of these employees are key to organizational effectiveness and could prove to be more beneficial to your business and the country as a whole.
It’s important for businesses and institutions to build that framework for more efficiency. In essence, improving workplace efficiency is about helping employees work smarter, not harder or just doing busy work.
There are two key points to be cognizant off.
#1 Management often times fail to realize the employees are their most important customers and should be treated as such.
#2 In a tourism driven economy, employees often times fail to realize there shouldn’t be any distinction between the quality of service provided to locals vs tourists.
There are also other areas that could negatively impact the customer experience.
For example, important documents such as police records, birth certificates etc. all require a postal stamp. Why not make it convenient for customers and provide the stamps and include it as part of the fees?
Recently, our tourism department was outsourced to a destination management company. Perhaps, failure to empower employees in the workplace forced this decision. Albeit, this move may broaden our horizon, but let’s be clear, its our story our experiences and our passion that brought us to this point of being one of the most desirable destinations.
With that being said, in order for TCI to continually compete for world class service in the marketplace, we need to capitalize on the experience and expertise of our people. This will put us in a better position to deliver consistent results where good customer service and experience become the norm not the exception.
Ed Forbes
Concerned citizen of Grand Turk
#TurksandCaicos, April 15, 2024 – The recent aggravated robbery targeting a five-member household is undoubtedly distressing for both the victims and the community at large.
Superintendent (Division A) Willet Harvey said, “Around 11:21 pm yesterday (April 14th) evening, the Police Control Room received a report that four masked males, three of whom were armed, entered a residence at New Subdivision, Grand Turk, and proceeded to rob the occupants.
The armed suspects managed to flee the scene on foot and escaped.
“Following the report, officers were dispatched to the scene, conducted extensive searches and interviewed individuals. Based on the information received, we are actively pursuing several leads that will lead to arrests in the shortest possible time.
“The incident highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and proactively safeguarding homes and families. I advise people to enhance their home security by locking doors and windows when inside, investing in a CCTV system, and ensuring adequate outdoor lighting. Should you have any information on this burglary or illegal activities in Grand Turk, please call 946-2299. ”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information.
News
Two Major Murder Trials Underway simultaneously in Grand Turk; making history in more ways than one
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, April 15, 2024 – Two separate murder trials. Two separate alleged Blue Hills killers. Two separate Blue Hills male victims lost their lives. Two separate dates of killings. The Crown has two separate vulnerable witnesses, one for each murder case as their main or key witness.
Both main/key witnesses have each relocated to the UK after the murders and both are under a witness protection program. They both testified in their respective trials via video link, as they did not return to the Turks and Caicos for the trials in live or opened court.
The move to have them back in the islands considered too risky.
Each trial has a different judge with its own 12-member jury. Both cases are running concurrently in different court rooms but both are unfolding on the Island of Grand Turk.
This is an historical move for the TCI judiciary running two murder trials all at once and on one Island (The Nation’s Capital); simultaneously.
Both trials are expected to in mere days with verdicts from the separately empaneled juries or on a ruling by the learned trial judges.
JOUVLY INELUS, 32 is one of the accused men on trial for allegedly killing Brian Leon Williams on the afternoon of Thursday, November 3rd, 2022. His defense counsel is Mrs. Lara Maroof Misick and Principal Public Prosecutor, Mr. Clement Joseph started the Crown’s case for the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
A 12-member jury and his Lordship, The Hon Mr. Justice Chris Selochan is presiding over INELUS trial.
In addition to murder, Inelus also faces four counts of firearm-related offences namely:
Discharging a Firearm, Discharging Ammunition, Carrying a Firearm, and Carrying Ammunition.
The homicide took place at a location known as Enid Forbes Yard, Hopeland Close, Blue Hills, Providenciales.
KENDALL DEAN, who is 29 years old is the second accused of homicide and his trial is underway for the shooting death of 24-year-old Joshua Swann on Sunday, August 8th, 2021 in the vicinity of North West Point, Blue Hills, Providenciales, according to police.
This trial was delayed its start, a week, due to jury issues, but now proceedings are progressing and Mr. Oliver Smith, KC is representing Kendall Dean against the allegations laid.
The trial is before his Lordship, the Honourable judge, Mr. Davidson Kevin Baptiste and a 12-member jury.
#TurksandCaicos, April 15, 2024 – Section 61 of the Turks and Caicos Islands constitution relates to the appointment of an Electoral District Boundary Commission. On 26th February 2024, Her Excellency the Acting Governor Mrs. Anya Williams. appointed a Boundaries Commission to review and alter the present boundaries and make changes, if necessary.
The following persons were appointed as members of the Committee:
Rev Dr. Julia E Williams Retired Civil Servant and Methodist Minister (Chairman)
Hon Justice K Neville Adderley M.B. (Member)
Ms Tremaine R S Harvey LLB(hons) Attorney at Law (Member)
The Constitution also stipulates that a Commission after appointment may regulate its procedure and, with the Governor acting in her discretion, may confer powers and impose duties on any public officer, or any authority of the Government for the purpose of discharge of its functions.
For the purpose of discharge of its functions , the Commission
- May invite views from members of the public.
- Shall consult the public about the draft of its report; and
- May seek advice as it considers appropriate.
The Commission and its members , under the Constitution, shall NOT be subject to the direction and control of any person or authority.
The Commission will review the boundaries of the Electoral Districts, and submit to the Governor and House of Assembly, a report on their findings.:-
- Stating that in the opinion of the commission, no changes to these boundaries is required, OR
- Recommending the changes in those boundaries specified in the report.
In determining its recommendations, the Commission under subsection (1) (b), and in determining whether or not to recommend any changes in the electoral district boundaries, the Commission shall ensure that the electoral districts contain, so far as is reasonably practicable, approximately equal numbers of persons qualified to be registered as electors.
In order to be successful in its deliberations and produce an efficient report to HE the Governor, the Commission will visit ALL islands, have discussions with members of the public and have public meetings.
Deliberations will commence as follows:-
MEETING WITH GROUPS FACE TO FACE – 13TH -16TH MAY 2024
13th May 2024 Salt Cay in the morning at 10.00 a.m.
Grand Turk in the evening at 6.30 p.m.
14th May 2024 South Caicos at 6.30 pm
15th May 2024 Middle Caicos in the morning at 10.00 a.m.
North Caicos in the evening at 6.30 p.m.
16th May 2024 Meeting in Providenciales at 7.00 p.m.
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