Newly appointed Manager of Ma Pau Casino, Charlene Edwards believes that if her business is to grow and develop then government and private sector support as well as the availability of skills and expertise is critically important.
This was the consensus of Edwards who recently moved from St Maarten after being there for some 15 years. Edwards who assessed the operations of both Ma Pau Casino and Sweet Lime Restaurant said that said there is a growing realization that additional efforts are needed towards the development of both businesses as a result of what she said is the growing challenging times being faced. She said that she hopes to see fruits being bourn soon taking into consideration that since the businesses were established in 2008 they have not made a profit.
She pointed out that continues training of staff and a more productive aggressive approach in how staff relates to customers are among several areas that need to be improved. Edwards said the latter is of key importance noting that employers are more interested with earning a salary rather than providing a service that will result in repeat customers. She said two of the major issues affecting further enhancement of her businesses are the low level of customers noting that despite several marketing initiatives that have been introduced since opening their doors in 2008 has not been successful also the fact that while there has and continues to be talk about quality people are more interested in the 'quick and go' system.
Edwards however noted that with employees being friendlier and the level of high service delivered to customers that persons would continue to support the business. "While I must admit that due to the high financial burden of running this establishment we have taken a decision to close at the end of April and reopen at the start of October this year. However we intend to keep up our marketing campaigns and efforts a s we seek to increase the crowd that comes here," she said.
Edwards said that since arriving she has take on the hands on marketing approach where she goes out into the community and speak to potential customers directly. She said that this will aid in bringing out a more positive approach to the public's view about Ma Pau as persons would want to come so as to sample the service being offered. She said that with her direct approach here she is more involved on the local scene, "where people can see you" will certainly result in increased support. Against this backdrop, she stated that persons attending the restaurant are guaranteed enhanced service from the traditional type of service being offered at other restaurants.
According to Edwards sustainability by companies needs to be examined and maintained at an acceptable level, in order to foster private sector development. He also stated that businesses should strive towards reaching and maintaining higher standards, and she noted the creation of proper business plans as being critical towards the success of businesses.
Edwards pointed that because of the implementation of the CSME several staff members from St Kitts would be traveling to Trinidad and Tobago where they would be working for some five odd months thus being able to garner increased and enhanced skills and experience. She disclosed that this forms part of the company's policy in making all the Ma Pau's and Sweet Lime Restaurants one despite being in several countries. As such, she stressed that the level of service being delivered should be high and of significant quality regardless of the country, it is being given in.
This, Edwards reiterates what she said as being an urgent and critical need for the implementation of an organization that seeks to address the concerns of the private sector with regards t the level and quality of service being delivered. Edwards said that such an organization will also help in the holistic development of the private sector noting that it would pave the way for more successful businesspersons to establish relationships to further assist in the development of businesses in their "embryonic stage." "I am confident that with such an approach that there would be more successful stories as it relates to businesses in both St Kitts and Nevis," Edwards concluded.