Lila Iké headlines Zoom concert - Stars align virtually for Guardian Life festivities
Published:Thursday | December 24, 2020 | 12:14 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
Guardian Life held its annual year-end party via Zoom. The generally large celebration – involving key stakeholders, employees, customers, clients and brokers; sumptuous fare; décor; gifts and entertainment – was done differently in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Annette Atkinson, senior manager, corporate communications, Guardian Group Jamaica, told The Gleaner that the company believed it was still important to say thank you to its clients and employees for their contribution to their successes in what was described as a “difficult year”.
“This year, the company set about to host a Christmas luncheon with a difference last Friday, starting at 11:30 a.m., by remotely bringing together all its 700 staff members, situated in five locations across the island, even while observing the restrictions of COVID-19,” she said.
Atkinson added, “To ensure social distancing, the company ensured that location-appropriate strategies were utilised to ensure the safety and security of each team member.”
The popular online platform Zoom was utilised, where staff at the company’s five locations were audience to a fully produced concert with Lila Iké as the headliner and featuring crooner Dwight Richards. Master of ceremonies duties were performed by Livewire Sheena-Kay Sinclair and actor and comedian Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley, while music was provided by Renaissance Disco. Guest disc jockeys included Johnny Kool, Rebirth and Coppershot Disco.
APPROPRIATE AMBIANCE
The Stars Align singer from the popular In.Digg.Nation collective provided the appropriate musical ambiance as she performed her hits, while the MC duo made sure there were non-stop laughs from staff, all while carrying out their professional duties.
Atkinson made it a point to note all this was enjoyed from the comfort of their desks, “as they were urged to enjoy the concert displayed on large screens that are centrally located across the building”.
The day’s celebrations started with delivery of a special gift to each team member at their desk, she said, and for lunch, each team member received pre-ordered and pre-packaged traditional Christmas food, including fruitcake. Persons working from home were encouraged to pick up their lunches from a specially designated area.
Speaker boxes were also strategically positioned so that the music could be heard throughout the offices. The semi-virtual luncheon also featured giveaways, including small appliances, and gift certificates for spa services and the supermarket. The insurance company, which has been offering life insurance in Jamaica since 1999, says it could not allow the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic to put a damper on its celebrations.
She expressed, “The feedback from employees has been outstanding, as they recognise the importance that the company has placed on providing that balance of protecting their health and safety, while enjoying themselves.”
At the head office, which features five floors, staff members could be observed exiting the building one by one with big smiles on their faces, holding gifts, desk and wall calendars when the celebrations appeared to end at 5 p.m. “Two bars were strategically positioned on each floor to encourage social distancing, where persons collected their pre-ordered beverage of choice. And the same approach was used at our branch locations in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Mandeville and May Pen,” the communications manager stated.
Atkinson said, “Here at Guardian, we recognise that COVID-19 has brought with it many challenges and an even greater unpredictable future. However, with the collective efforts of each team member … each Jamaican, we will remain resilient, strong and creative to overcome this difficult time”.
She expressed that it is the duty of Jamaicans to play their part in order for 2021 to be a bigger, better and brighter year for everyone.
“Together we will band our minds and hearts so that we will all prevail in the end. As we go into what is usually the heightened period of the festive season, we encourage our fellow Jamaicans to celebrate cautiously and observe the guidelines and warnings of the Ministry of Health and Wellness so we can contribute to reducing the spread, or even eliminate COVID-19,” Atkinson advised.