The Assistants duties are many, not least manning the reception desk, accepting deliveries and greeting visitors. Everyone seems to enjoy their work and it’s great to listen to and watch the interactions between the Assistants and people coming into the building. They do an amazing job, both face to face and on the telephone and being the first point of contact for many visitors they are strong ambassadors for MacIntyre.
This blog is about one particular Assistant, Jonny who works every Monday and Friday. He is keen and enthusiastic and always excited about being here. His favourite job is greeting the morning postman and taking the post from him. Jonny is so excited in the mornings; he’s on edge waiting for the moment the postman arrives and finds it very difficult getting involved in anything else in the meantime. As soon as he sees the post van pulling up outside, Jonny is through the front door at speed, arriving before the postman has a chance to step out of his vehicle! They walk back in together, chatting as they go, like old friends.
This is a relationship that has developed over time and there is a genuine fondness between the two men. They laugh together and tease one another and of course we can’t help becoming involved too sometimes.
A while back the postman (we all call him Andy Alan as no one seems to be sure what his name really is!) arrived with a Royal Mail tabard, all neatly folded and still in its packaging. He presented this to Jonny, saying as Jonny carries the post in and therefore does part of a postman’s job, he should have a “uniform”. To say that Jonny was pleased is an understatement!
Apart from Jonny gaining a friend, someone he feels comfortable with, he has also gained in confidence. Now, as well as bringing the post in, he will sign for any recorded and special deliveries, which he does very professionally.
Although this interaction is with a visitor I wanted to share it as this is what our department is all about: supporting Office Services Assistants to develop their skills to interact with and provide a service for MacIntyre’s visitors. The staff team here have done a great job supporting Jonny to develop his skills and I’ve seen many Great Interactions day to day. Our postman, however, deserves a special mention as he has succeeded in making Jonny feel very proud of himself. He’s done this by taking the time to get to know him and recognising what is important to him.
Jenny Hunt
Office Services Co-ordinator
Milton Keynes