Karen Jones – Our industry is enriched by her contribution
IHAVE travelled to over 60 countries, and I have visited as many VIP lounges worldwide. Nothing compares to VIP Attraction’s Club Kingston and the staff who have mastered the art of customer service not because it is a job, but because it comes naturally.
One of my favourite persons at Club Kingston was named the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s (JHTA) Tourism Employee of the Year two weeks ago.
Her name is Karen Jones, and she is assistant general manager at the lounge, with the sweetest smile that melts the heart and the most accommodating attitude for difficult customers. She is the most charming ambassador that any company could ask for.
Jones joined VIP Attractions as deputy general manager of its Montego Bay operations in 2012. In 2016, she was transferred to Kingston.
The citation read by the JHTA describes her as the consummate customer service professional, who constantly endeavours to develop in her team members the capacity to assume leadership roles, use their initiative, and work as a team. One of her major assets is her ability to inspire and bring out the best in others. An effective communicator, she is able to give wise counsel and encourage her team to exceed company standards in performance, said the script.
She is credited for making wise and timely decisions and for being well-equipped to meet the needs of a changing organisation as new ideas, new menu items and new technologies are introduced.
DEDICATED TO SERVICE
Wherever she has worked, she has gravitated towards community service, and this was one of the reasons the JHTA gave for her being the recipient of this award. I agree wholeheartedly.
So, she is not all about earning money, she is big on community building. She was a keen member of the Environmental Club and the Key Club while in Negril and in Ocho Rios served as secretary/treasurer for the Grande Optimist Club of Ocho Rios. Since moving to Kingston, she has been active in collection drives for disaster victims and beach clean-up campaigns and has been the team leader for voluntary efforts.
“She has proven herself to be an invaluable contributor to the success of her award-winning company, racking up perfect scores in the assessment of her performance. Our industry is enriched by her contribution,” says the JHTA, and so says all of us.