Dear Editor,
In today's tough economic times a company's best bet for survival is to generate as much revenue as possible, decrease its workforce as a cost-saving measure, improve its systems to increase productivity, and control or manage its expenses. While this argument is extremely plausible and has merit, not many companies think it prudent to invest heavily in its human capital development when there are much more pressing issues at hand. I must congratulate Sandals Resorts International for its strategic focus in this regard.
This company has been around for some 30-plus years and has consistently stuck to its core beliefs; creating memorable vacations through outstanding team members. This "stick-to-it-tive" approach to core beliefs, especially in regards to human capital building, is one major factor in the continued success of this company.
Training and development usually focus on preparing people for specific tasks, but educating employees equips them for both immediate performance expectations and future growth and development outside of their job. With this understanding, Sandals created its own Sandals Corporate University (SCU), which really incorporates training and education, a combination which can and will only lead to holistic team member development and improved performance levels and outcomes for the company. And, by extension, with more educated people in the workforce, it also impacts personal lives and social behaviour.
Why is it that this company can invest so heavily in its people while other companies seem to sweep the importance of development under the carpet? Simply, Sandals seems committed to building a country, not just a company. Looking beyond the benefits to the company, this company, through SCU, is offering thousands a chance to attain education which would more than likely be out of their reach. I can truly speak on behalf of all those who work for this company, and many people in the Caribbean, and say "Thanks Sandals for believing in Brand Jamaica and the Caribbean and its gifted people. Continue being a trend-setting company in your industry and the countries in which you operate. Being voted the number 1 All-Inclusive in the world for 19 consecutive years is not by chance; it's through hard work, insight, vision and shared understanding of taking care of your people, who in turn take care of your business."
Why is it that this company can invest so heavily in its people while other companies seem to sweep the importance of development under the carpet? Simply, Sandals seems committed to building a country, not just a company. Looking beyond the benefits to the company, this company, through SCU, is offering thousands a chance to attain education which would more than likely be out of their reach. I can truly speak on behalf of all those who work for this company, and many people in the Caribbean, and say "Thanks Sandals for believing in Brand Jamaica and the Caribbean and its gifted people. Continue being a trend-setting company in your industry and the countries in which you operate. Being voted the number 1 All-Inclusive in the world for 19 consecutive years is not by chance; it's through hard work, insight, vision and shared understanding of taking care of your people, who in turn take care of your business."
With a CEO who is just 32, and a chairman who is 71, the generation balance is phenomenal, wisdom mixed with zest and millennium savviness will not only impact the success of your company but will continue to benefit the Caribbean. Sandals is truly a Jamaican company, which operates in the Caribbean at an international level. It would be safe to say, Sandals is one of the Caribbean's saviours when one looks at its employment numbers, its social programmes and now its educational efforts.
Javid Brown
Llandilo, Savanna-la-Mar.
Westmoreland
Sandals way ahead of the pack saving the Caribbean
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In today's tough economic times a company's best bet for survival is to generate as much revenue as possible, decrease its workforce as a cost-saving measure, improve its systems to increase productivity, and control or manage its expenses. While this argument is extremely plausible and has merit, not many companies think it prudent to invest heavily in its human capital development when there are much more pressing issues at hand. I must congratulate Sandals Resorts International for its strategic focus in this regard.
This company has been around for some 30-plus years and has consistently stuck to its core beliefs; creating memorable vacations through outstanding team members. This "stick-to-it-tive" approach to core beliefs, especially in regards to human capital building, is one major factor in the continued success of this company.
Training and development usually focus on preparing people for specific tasks, but educating employees equips them for both immediate performance expectations and future growth and development outside of their job. With this understanding, Sandals created its own Sandals Corporate University (SCU), which really incorporates training and education, a combination which can and will only lead to holistic team member development and improved performance levels and outcomes for the company. And, by extension, with more educated people in the workforce, it also impacts personal lives and social behaviour.
Why is it that this company can invest so heavily in its people while other companies seem to sweep the importance of development under the carpet? Simply, Sandals seems committed to building a country, not just a company. Looking beyond the benefits to the company, this company, through SCU, is offering thousands a chance to attain education which would more than likely be out of their reach. I can truly speak on behalf of all those who work for this company, and many people in the Caribbean, and say "Thanks Sandals for believing in Brand Jamaica and the Caribbean and its gifted people. Continue being a trend-setting company in your industry and the countries in which you operate. Being voted the number 1 All-Inclusive in the world for 19 consecutive years is not by chance; it's through hard work, insight, vision and shared understanding of taking care of your people, who in turn take care of your business."
Why is it that this company can invest so heavily in its people while other companies seem to sweep the importance of development under the carpet? Simply, Sandals seems committed to building a country, not just a company. Looking beyond the benefits to the company, this company, through SCU, is offering thousands a chance to attain education which would more than likely be out of their reach. I can truly speak on behalf of all those who work for this company, and many people in the Caribbean, and say "Thanks Sandals for believing in Brand Jamaica and the Caribbean and its gifted people. Continue being a trend-setting company in your industry and the countries in which you operate. Being voted the number 1 All-Inclusive in the world for 19 consecutive years is not by chance; it's through hard work, insight, vision and shared understanding of taking care of your people, who in turn take care of your business."
With a CEO who is just 32, and a chairman who is 71, the generation balance is phenomenal, wisdom mixed with zest and millennium savviness will not only impact the success of your company but will continue to benefit the Caribbean. Sandals is truly a Jamaican company, which operates in the Caribbean at an international level. It would be safe to say, Sandals is one of the Caribbean's saviours when one looks at its employment numbers, its social programmes and now its educational efforts.
Javid Brown
Llandilo, Savanna-la-Mar.
Westmoreland
Sandals way ahead of the pack saving the Caribbean
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