You may remember previous blogs that I have written “A day in the life of the Sales Manager, Happy New year, Christmas Countdown, and the classic Joleen, Joleen White water queen!” So it’s quite nice for me to say hello to you all once again and tell you what ‘s going on!
Well, my role is now Assistant Manager, working closely with 3 others, all of which are male, now some might say I’m lucky, but really it’s like having too many older brothers picking and teasing me whenever we are working together. However, it keeps me smiling and certainly on my toes – anything they can do, I can do better!
My days no longer run 9-5pm Monday to Friday, but every day and every hour. I meet guests enquire about their stay and make sure they are happy. This is the part of the job I love, getting to know regular guests so when they return we talk about the family and what’s been going on – there aren’t many hotels that I have come across where this is encouraged. Each time we receive a comment or a complaint, a form is completed and passed on to the relevant departments and General Manager to ensure changes are made where possible.
My favourite shift is the early, starting at 7am to watch the sun rise over the sea and across the Bay, people arrive refreshed for breakfast and the day appears to unwind. It’s a great feeling people checking out happy with everything we have done for them.
I hope to have more news next time, but have just come back from a short break to Cornwall and so am quite refreshed and short of tales to tell.
I would like to thank Ash though (‘older’ brother number 1) for standing over my shoulder reading this blog and altering it!

Having just returned to work after a two-week cruise of the Mediterranean, and experienced life as a “guest”, I’m all fired up with enthusiasm and ideas to make a stay here at the Grand as pleasurable as mine on the ocean waves. Of course, we cannot match the weather, nor the daily changing view, but we can at least match the service and friendliness with our fantastic staff.

Two weeks of Guest Questionnaires sit on my desk with Jason’s replies. I told many people on board the boat that they should complete their questionnaires and explained that, as General Manager, Jason reads and replied to every questionnaire that is handed in. Today its great to see that most of the comments are positive and its obvious our new Head Chef, Richard Hunt, is making his mark and people are again enjoying our food offerings. The continuous training programmes are also paying off. Oh no – here’s one where a guest is complaining that “the toast is bland”! Well, if that’s all they can find fault with we’re doing well.

Before I know it its off to the morning meeting where we do over the previous day and highlight any problems and special requirements for the forthcoming days. Back to the office, collecting the day’s post on the way (and a pot of tea for everyone), and type up and circulate the Minutes from the meeting.

I grab a quick bite for lunch and then I need to check that all the Christmas ordering is done – Christmas cards – check, Christmas gifts – check, crackers, nats, poppers, streamers, balloons – check. Decorations were chosen in May and will be put up at the beginning of December. I know exactly how many weeks to Christmas as my first grandchild is due on Christmas Day!

More letters land on my desk, a charity request, a lovely thank you letter from a couple who spent their 40th Wedding Anniversary with us recently, an invite to a local tourism event. I get the letters typed and ready for Jason’s signature and, before I know it, its 5.30pm and time to go home.