Being Exceptional - everyone can be Exceptional!

I interviewed Oonagh in June, four months after she won the prestigious award of Exceptional Employee for the whole of the Jurys Inn business. She was still as thrilled as I remember her to be when the announcement was made at our Annual Awards in February this year!

I asked her how she came to be nominated at the property and she told me that in July of 2016, the HR Manager was on holiday and as her administrator she found herself having to step up to really support the team at the hotel and enjoying every minute of it! As she only works part-time this was quite tough but she also managed to work a few shifts on Reception to support the team at a time when the hotel is really busy! She was nominated and won employee of the month and after having worked at the hotel for 12 years she was thrilled to receive the accolade from the team. She was really proud to win and receive the recognition for the hard work that she had put in but also really proud of herself for having stepped up and taken extra responsibility.

At the end of the year, the whole team in Belfast were asked to vote for their winner – from the 12 that were chosen throughout the year and Oonagh was really surprised to be chosen but over the moon at the opportunity to attend the Annual Awards – an event that she had heard so much about over her time with the business and which she had never thought she would get the opportunity to attend.

Oonagh brought her best friend, Leeanne Connelly along for support which was really great as they have been friends since they were just two years old and she also works for Jurys Inn Belfast, in the Accounts team. They joked on the journey over about how Belfast couldn’t possibly win again as a previous Exceptional Employee had in fact won Employee of the Year only a couple of years before.

On the day of the awards, Oonagh attended her interview with the Judges – one internal from the business and one external and she found it a lovely experience – she wasn’t at all nervous and really enjoyed what she described as a "chat"! Our Judges have a list of questions as well as a testimonial written by the hotel team about each candidate and on the day four sets of judges meet the 46 Exceptional Employees - and then have to whittle that down to just one winner! When Oonagh met other candidates later over the Afternoon tea she was really surprised at how hard some of them had found the experience and yet again thought this to be a sign that she couldn't possibly win. Just chatting to the others she could see how Exceptional they were and felt really relaxed that she was going to have a really pleasant evening celebrating but without any pressure about winning!

The evening was then amazing, the glitz and glamour of the event, everyone dressed up and the room looked fantastic – it was great to be with her best friend and also the management team of the hotel who really supported her nomination and she loved the whole event - even getting up on stage to collect her award!

When John, our CEO stood up to announce the winner, he talked about the person before he said the name and mentioned that they had 12 years’ service, and Oonagh still didn’t think it was her even though someone on the table said “It could be you” – she was totally shocked when he then read out her name. She really couldn’t believe it and it has taken time to sink in. I remember watching her (as one of the few people who knew the winner at this stage!) and it was amazing to see the realisation sinking in! Her General Manager Ryan was so thrilled I think he may even have shed a tear!! The whole table got up to applaud as she made her way to the stage again and then the whole room was up on their feet celebrating our winner - Oonagh Devine, HR Administrator from Jurys Inn Belfast!

The evening continued with lots of celebratory drinks and dancing until dawn! The next day the team headed back to Belfast and the team at the hotel had arranged a Celebration party for herself and Ciaran Lavery who is the Head of Technical Services and had won a Special Recognition award on the night for his amazing work in the refurbishment of our hotel portfolio in 2016 – he is also based in Belfast so it was a great double celebration!

Interestingly, Oonagh hadn’t thought about the prize she would get as the Exceptional Employee for Jurys Inn –she was astounded to receive ￡500 of Travel vouchers and ￡500 in her wages – the money is being used for her to take her 2 small children on their first family holiday – an opportunity to make memories that she is hugely grateful for.

Oonagh’s message for all employees was to believe in yourself more and show what you are capable of doing – she really put herself out to help and support the Belfast team in July 2016 and that really paid off by them recognising her help. She could not be prouder of what she has done and the fact that she can now do something great for her family because of her achievement as the Exceptional Employee of Jurys Inn.

What this tells me is that we can all be Exceptional - it is about making a choice - to put the effort in every day, to support our colleagues, to deliver our job to the best of our abilities - ultimately to make a difference! We all have that choice.