DTCM rewards 'SMART' employees

The SMART employees were rewarded for putting forward constructive suggestions which ranged from effective ways to solve internal as well as external problems, reducing expenditures, increasing productivity to improving the work environment.

For the first time since opening the suggestions scheme to the general public, the department honoured Mr. Noureddine Kafih, a Morocco national working as a PRO at the Carlton Towers Hotel in Dubai, for his effective suggestion. The rewarding ceremony was held at the DTCM Head Office in the presence of senior DTCM officials.

The Director of Dubai Convention Bureau, Mr. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi and DTCM Manager Human Resources and SMART Committee Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Yaqoot presented the certificates of appreciation and cash prizes to the 15 winners which included 14 females.

Mr. Ibrahim Yaqoot said, "The SMART scheme encourages staff members put forth their suggestions aimed at developing effective systems and procedures within the organisation."

A dedicated website had been created to help employees submit their suggestions in addition to providing information about SMART scheme, its processes and benefits.

According to the SMART mechanism - available in both Arabic and English languages - participation is open to all DTCM employees, both stationed in Head Office, Heritage Sites and 15 Overseas Representative offices. The employees are encouraged to make suggestions in any sphere of activity relating to the department, regardless of their positions.

A special SMART committee processes the accepted suggestions through an electronic voting system. After the committee receives suggestions from employees, they go through them carefully and forward the selected suggestions to the department concerned for feedback.

After receiving comments from the departments concerned, a detailed study is made and a judicious selection of the most appropriate and beneficial suggestions are done.

In October last year, the department enlarged the scope of the scheme by allowing the general public to submit suggestions online and track their status.

A dedicated website has been created to help the staff and the public put across their ideas and proposals to the department. The website also provides information in English and Arabic languages about the scheme, its processes, usage and benefits.

The SMART initiative was launched in 2001 is meant to boost the quality and standard of client services and instill commitment and confidence among its employees.