Courts 45th Anniversary (1965 - 2010)

12-PAGE

FEATURE

NOVEMBER 21, 2010

45th Anniversary1965 – 2010

We’ve only just begunWe’ve only just begun

45th Anniversary1965 – 2010

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We’ve Only Just Begun

IT WAS in the year 2000 that I recall being overwhelmed bythe fact that Courts was celebrating 35 years of trading inBarbados. Not overwhelmed at the age, but overwhelmed atthe accomplishments, the work and energy we all had toinvest in the celebrations as well as our daily duties.At thetime I was the PR/promotions assistant and enjoyed everyminute of it.

Then came the 40th, and I was still around, and God hasblessed me with the opportunity to see yet anothermilestone in our company, the 45th year. Every year ofcelebration since I’ve been employed by this noteworthyorganisation has been one of fond memories, innovation andexcitement.This year will be no exception.

With a rich historical past and a bright and promisingfuture, I think it's fitting for us to theme this feature “We'veonly just begun!”

We believe in ensuring that a high level of creativity iscentred around our presentation to the Barbadian public, andbelieve me, despite the demands of the job, we enjoy everyminute of it, from intense brainstorming meetings, to planningand execution.

This year, as opposed to highlighting every department andwhat every team member does in their day-to-day duties onthe job, we will show you more of the “fun side” of Courtsand where we as team members envisage this business to beover the next few years.

– PAULA PHILLIPSDIRECTOR OF MARKETING

ON BEHALF of all of us, ourregional managing director, localdirectors, managers and every teammember in the Courts family, I wishto express our sincere thanks foryour continued patronage over thepast 45 years.

We’ve weathered the stormstogether, we’ve shared in the joystogether and we’ve accomplishedmany things together; together as ateam of vibrant and dedicated staff,together with loyal customers,

together with committed suppliersand most importantly, together withGod as our guide.

I’ve been in this position for thelast eight months and the task hasbeen exciting in many ways. I wishto take this opportunity to reassureall our customers and staff alike,that the future of Courts is bright.While it may seem as though wemade significant strides over theyears, and we have, we are alsolaunching into a era of advancing

technology and tremendousdevelopment, and intend to remainconsistent in our efforts to deliverthe best.

You would have noticed, that inthe last few months we have madesignificant changes to oursuperstores across the island;primarily Courts Haggatt Hall,Courts Bridgetown, Courts

Speightstown and most recentlyCourts Sheraton. If you have notyet visited these internationally

designed stores, I invite you to ashopping experience and ambiencecomparable to none other on theisland.

While these refurbishments werebig investments for the business, theprimary focus was to ensure thatyou, our valued customers, enjoythe ease of movement in our storesand the accessibility to products, aswell as creating an ambiance whereyou can visualize our products inyour home environment.

In the next few years, we willcontinue to further develop theCourts brand, and I will do asmuch as I can to ensure that youare pleased with our efforts, andremain with us for more years tocome.

Once again, thank you, and we dolook forward to seeing and servingyou soon.

– TRISHA TANNIS

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Editor’s note

Thank you, from Courts

TRISHA TANNIS(MANAGING DIRECTOR)Years in the business: 11Years in your currentposition: Eight monthsWhat is the mostinteresting/challengingpart of your job?

Staying abreast ofinternational retailingstandards and local markettrends so that the Barbadiancommunity has access tocutting edge technology andretailing infrastructure.

What is your most“fun” or “memorablemoment” on the job?

Being given the opportunityto lead the Barbadosoperation of Courts and tobe a part of the regionalmanagement team.

OLIVER NICHOLAS(DIRECTOR OF CREDIT)Years in the business: 14Years in your currentposition: Seven yearsWhat is the mostinteresting/challengingpart of your job?

The most interesting partof my job is working alongsidethe credit team to fulfill thedreams of our customers asthey seek to provide a betterstandard of living forthemselves and their families.What is your most “fun”or “memorable moment”on the job?

My involvement in the“start-up” of our former,South Africa business asproject manager for theimplementation of theirbusiness systems software. Itwas interesting whilechallenging to be a member of

the team setting up thebusiness and to be on theground in South Africa was atruly amazing experience.

PAULA PHILLIPS(DIRECTOR OF MARKETING)Years in the business: 11Years in your currentposition: Six yearsWhat is the mostinteresting/challengingpart of your job?

Marketing is verymultifaceted, and the Courtsbrand is very dynamic, thusmaking my job bothinteresting and challenging.However, the most challengingaspect of my job is being ableto consistently deliver a highlevel of creativity in ourexternal communication andto ensure that results of theseefforts are warranted by ourcustomers and share holders.


The fondest memoriescome in seeing the eyes ofdelight, the smiles ofsatisfaction and the words ofcontentment when a Courtsprize is delivered. I’ve also

been blessed with theopportunity to interact withthe leading marketers in theregion, travel the world,further my studies and meetmany interesting people. Interms of fun, amidst thechallenges, everyday inmarketing is “FUN!”

SIMON PRINCE(DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL

PURCHASING)Years in the business: 24 Years in your currentposition: Seven yearsWhat is the mostinteresting/challengingpart of your job?

Keeping abreast ofcustomer needs andtechnology while ensuring thatour product offering suits themarket’s demand. It is alsointeresting to note how theconstant changes intechnology impact on the waywe live and how this affectsconsumer purchase decisions.


The appointment ofcurrent Managing DirectorTrisha Tannis.As she is the first

female managing director inthe Unicomer group.

RODNEY BRADSHAW(DIRECTOR OF FURNITURE

PURCHASING) Years in the business: Tenmonths Years in your currentposition: Ten monthsWhat is the mostinteresting/challengingpart of your job?

Selecting the style offurniture that is appealing to avery wide cross section ofconsumers. As furnitureselection is quite personal,setting the pace in terms ofmaking available the mostrecent trends and designs,appropriate colours and

fabrics makes this functionvery exciting.


As some of our productsare selected throughinternational wholesalers, theorder process does not alwaysallow for physical interaction.Thus, one of the most “fun”aspects of my job is seeing theproducts arrive, touching,feeling, and experiencing thecomfort. It is also quiterewarding to see customer’sresponses and to gatherfeedback, in order to fulfilltheir needs.

STEVE MARSHALL(DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS)

Years in the business: 11 Years in current position:Six yearsWhat is the mostinteresting/challengingpart of your job?

The most interesting partof my job is the dailyinteraction with customersand staff.The challenging partis ensuring that the company’sstandards are achieved andmaintained by all store teamsand to provide excellentservice to our customers.

What is the most “fun”or “memorable moment”on the job?

Making the Big Prize

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Meet the executive team

• Continued onnext page

TRISHA TANNIS PAULA PHILLIPSOLIVER NICHOLAS SIMON PRINCE RODNEY BRADSHAW



presentation to ourcustomers. It is memorablemoment when giving back toour loyal customers.

STEVE ALLEYNE(DIRECTOR OF AFTER

SALES SERVICE)Years in the business: 24Years in your currentposition: TwoWhat is the mostinteresting or challengingpart of your job?

To motivate my team toconsistently deliver highcustomers service standardsto all our customers.Toreiterate their importance tothe business as warehousingand serving are at the end ofthe supply chain of thebusiness.


The most memorable

moment was being awardedthe Employee of the Yearand winning the coveted prizeof a car.At that point in time, Ifunctioned as team manager,and was particularly honouredto be recognised by morejunior team players as beingworthy of such a title. It givesyou a feeling of tremendousconfidence as a person andleader.

ATIOLA HARPER(DIRECTOR OF FINANCE)Years in the business: OneYears in your currentposition: OneWhat is the mostinteresting or challengingpart of your job?

Interacting with bothcolleagues and the public ingeneral to solve problems andhave customers’ needs met.


I was not here that longbut I would say meeting myregional colleagues for thefirst time during a recent tripto Miami and learning fromthe vast experience within thegroup, was exciting and alsomemorable.

JENNIFER FRANCIS(DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER

SERVICE)Years in the business: 16Years in your currentposition: TwoWhat is the mostinteresting/challengingpart of your job?

The most interesting partof my job thus far, has beenthe regional introduction ofthe Courts Five StarCustomer ServiceProgramme, while the mostchallenging is motivating everysingle one of our teammembers to give aconsistently high level of

customer service excellence.What is the most “fun”

or “memorable moment”on the job?

Seeing the interaction fromteam members during therecently held CustomerService Week of Activities; thecompany was energised.

KYREL ROACH(DIRECTOR OF HUMAN

RESOURCES)Years in the business: 11Years in your currentposition: TwoWhat is the mostinteresting/challengingpart of your job?

Interacting with persons atall levels and bringing the rightsolutions to challenges.


On joining the company,my boss at the time was thedirector for both Marketing

and Human Resources.Thisdual role allowed the HR teamto became involved in all ofthe PR initiatives: Birthdayparties for our valuedcustomers, our very own Mrand Mrs Courts show;Superstar Searchcompetitions; and manyothers.

For me, the mostmemorable event was actuallyparticipating in all segments ofthe 40th Anniversary Concertof which team members madeup the full cast. Modeling,dancing, singing … actuallyperforming in one of our ads(TV star) but moreimportantly, was the sheer joythat was experienced from allCourts employees whoperformed in the concert …it was really a team effortfrom one big happy family.GLENROY EASTMONDYears in the Business: 23Years as an executive:

SevenWhat is the mostinteresting or challengingpart of your job?

Completing the monthlyreporting package on time asnew schedules are oftenadded. Of course this makesthe process more interestingput creates time pressure.


The most memorable timeon the job was two years agowhen we switched from theDOS based Fact 2000accounting software to theWindows based OracleFinancials. I served as a keyuser for the region andassisted with training inGuyana and Trinidad.

STEVE MARSHALL STEVE ALLEYNE ATIOLA HARPER JENNIFER FRANCIS KYREL ROACH GLENROY EASTMOND

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In the beginning ...

PREMIER ERROL W BARROW (left) cutting the ribbonat the ceremonial opening ceremony to declare Courtsopen on November 20, 1965. (GP)

THE COURTS TEAM of 1965. (GP)

COURTS began itsrelationship withBarbadian consumers inNovember 1965,offering quality furnitureand furnishings ataffordable prices.As the years rolled onthe relationship grewstronger and theproduct range wider, andtoday Courts enjoys anenviable position as aleader in the market.

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Warrens, St. Michael. Tel: 417-7777 www.simpson-motors.com

Warrens, St. Michael. Tel: 417-7777 www.simpson-motors.com

We Congratulate

and we wish them continued success

Anniversaryon their

Courts (Barbados) Ltd.

45th

NOVEMBER 21, 2010 | 7

All in the family

SHERATON

BRIDGETOWN

OPERATIONS

CASH TEAM

CREDIT TEAM

BARGAIN CENTRE

ADMIN TEAM

HUMAN RESOURCES

SPEIGHTSTOWN

HAGGATT HALL TEAM

BUYING TEAM

DISTRIBUTION

EMERALD CITY



SPRING GARDEN WAREHOUSE

SPRING GARDEN SERVICE CENTRE

AUDIT TEAM

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

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We’ve Only Just BegunMARKETING TEAM

ACCOUNTS TEAM

GENERAL OFFICE

REGIONALDIRECTORS

ADMINISTRATIONTEAM



SINCE opening its doors inBarbados 45 years ago,besides helping to transformcountless homes withaffordable furniture andfurnishings, and impacting livesthrough countless promotionswhich rewarded loyal long-time as well as newcustomers, Courts hasevolved into a corporatecitizen par excellence.

Never one to miss theopportunity to support aworthy cause, Courts has,over the last four decades,partnered with numerousorganisations, both large andsmall, providing sponsorshipto ensure the success of avariety of worthwhileendeavours.

From its support fornational festivals such asGospelfest, Crop-Over, andthe Oistins Fish Festival, toits sponsorship of varioussporting associations andevents Courts continues toplay its part.

Over the years thecompany has been a proudsupporters of:

• Mr and Mrs Barbadosbody building competition• Local cycling• National Primary schoolsathletics championships• Powerhouse BarbadosMasters football League• National DominoAssociation

• Nation Fun Walk andFun Ride• CaribSurf NationalSpelling Bee• Barbados Red Cross'Meals on Wheelsprogramme• Carrying Out The

Promise project aimed at alleviating poverty • Barbados KidneyAssociation • Barbados Council for the Disabled, and• Richard Stoute TeenTalent contest, to name a few.

Corporate citizen par excellence

AFTER becoming aCourts 1/2 millionaire in 1991, Orial Springerchanged her professionfrom teaching toaccounting, and moved on to become a certifiedgeneral accountant and business owner.

Springer was able tobuild her own home andimprove her quality of lifesince leaving Rosemonthousing area.This, she said, was as a direct resultof winning the prize.

HIS LOVING Christmas gift of a toasteroven for his wife and a hair clipper for histwo sons gave him two entries for theCourts Millionaire prize – but that wasenough to land him the big prize in 1994.

Courts Bridgetown was filled with eagercustomers and staff on the morning ofDecember 30. It was time for the CourtsMillionaire Draw.

Patrick Gollop heightened the crowd’senthusiasm with his usual flair as SteveMarshall, managing director of Courts(Barbados) Limited, and Anne Reid,personnel manager, prepared for the draw.

The tension mounted as the barrelcontaining over 500 000 entries finally topped turning and Marshall reached in andpulled the winning entry for the CourtsMillionaire Draw.

As soon as the accountants verified thatthe entry was indeed valid, a cavalcade ofvehicles carrying representatives of Courts,their advertising agency, camera crew and themedia started their journey to seek out thenew Courts millionaire, Prince Parris ofMaynards, St Peter.

Many attempts were made to locate Parrisand all proved unsuccessful, so at 11 a.m. thecars were parked a short distance from hishome and the wait began.

Minutes turned into hours.A number of

children from the area, including Parris’ sons Prince (Danny) Jr. and Renaldo came over to the group and chatted.

Adults passing by stopped also when theyrecognised Patrick Gollop, Marshall and Reid.

The clock kept ticking until finally, at 6:02 p.m., the 34-year-old chainsman at theNational Housing Corporation walkedtowards the crowd that had gathered and was greeted by loud cheers.

A quiet, unassuming Parris was happy to know he was Courts Millionaire.

“I feel like a million. I never thought aboutwhat I would do if I won. I’ve been shopping at Courts for years. It’s my favourite store.”Parris, who had then been married for nineyears, won a $300 000 house at Coral Glade,St James; $360 000 in food from Big BSupermarket; $250 000 cash; a fully-loadedVitara jeep from Simpson Motors worth $60 000; $15 000 in jewellery from Correia’s and $15 000 in travel on BWIA.

Life changingwin

IT TOOK her entire family to help her hold her chequefor $500 000: Big winner Orial Springer (centre) iscongratulated by her husband Anthony (standing left).Alsoin the picture is Steve Marshall, managing director ofCourts, Orial’s father, Nigel Moore (top left), and mother(extreme right). (FP)

ORIAL SPRINGER (right) exclaiming after learning ofthe $1/2 m. win from Anne Reid of Courts. (FP)

A million reasons to be happy

PRINCE PARRIS (right), Courts’ first millionaire, basking in his goodfortune as he is interviewed by Patrick Gollop. At centre is Parris’good friend Wesley Bites Clement. (FP)

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MAUREEN GREENE,operations manager,Administration hasworked at Courts for 41years.

Her most lastingmemory is “Many, manyyears ago on Saturdaymornings customerswould gather outside thestore long before openinghours. I enjoyed watching the surge as theycompeted with each other to be first insideand first to get to the cashiers. I rememberit like it was yesterday.”

OSCAR MOORE,warehouse supervisor, hasworked for 44 years atCourts and says thatevery single working dayduring that time, andcounting,“I have beendoing my best for thecompany. I really do notpick out or analyse anyspecial occasion. Every day is a good day.”

JOSEPHBROOMES, warehouseassistant, started as aporter at Courts over38 years ago. He recalls:“One of the mostinspiring managers I everworked with was RichardHart, I really looked up tohim. I have had many

interesting experiences working with thestaff over the years, and the customers aswell.”

SYLVENA HALLbegan work at Courts inSeptember 1971 and isnow a senior staffmember among thecustomer servicerepresentatives inBridgetown.

She says “My fondestmemories of working here are back in the’70s and ’80s when we used to have a lot ofcustomers, so eager to make their purchasesthat they would be waiting for the store toopen. Some of them remained our loyalcustomers through the years, they wouldcome in and look for you, and come backwith their children and grandchildren.

DELORES NURSEbegan working at Courtsin 1972, but left in 1982.She then returned in 1987and is now the cashmanager.

She still laughs whenshe thinks of the mostmemorable event there.

“It is when I turned 50.Unknown to me, themanagement and my colleagues planned asurprise birthday treat for me.They evencontacted my husband to come for it. It wascompletely unexpected and a very warmand wonderful surprise.”

Warm memoriesof yesterday

MAYLEENSARGEANT is storemanager of CourtsBridgetown flagshipstore and has workedfor the company for18 years.

She sees a needfor the business “tocontinue to grow itsdatabase of loyalclientele but also toincrease the focus on attracting new andyounger customers.The aim should be to getthem making choices at the store, from thetime they start working, when they are settingup their own apartments and houses andespecially when planning marriage.

“In addition, we need to do morecommunity outreach and get people tounderstand that our aim is not just to sellthem items but to be a good corporatemember of the community. I believe our teamof managers will be able to increase oursuccess in the years ahead.

Anthony Greene, Courts’ marketingmanager, says “the passion of its leaders, thepursuit of its people and the patronage of itscustomers are all evidence of a large appetite

for success that guards the legacy of Courtsthat is still being sewn”.

“At 45 years old, Courts is still growing,but stands as a strong beacon in themarketplace as the leader in furniture,electronics and appliances.There is a definiteunderstanding that its success has always beendriven by its customers.We therefore likewiseunderstand that ourfuture is alsodependent on ourcustomers andrecognise that wemust thrive to surpassthe demands of theirhigh expectations ofus.

“With a strongmanagement teamthat has beensuccessfully carving the business through thecurrent recessional phenomena; a dedicatedstaff who have valiantly contributed to thecompany’s success and committed suppliersand business partners always prepared to gothe extra mile with us, Courts is pleased tocontinue a tradition of making the customerthe center of its attention.

“The future of Courts then, is in goodhands!”

A vision fortomorrow

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Documents

Courts 45th Anniversary (1965 - 2010)