Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1492490
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 FEBRUARY 2023 10 COMMERICAL BOV managers discuss customer-driven strategies THIS is first of a series of man- agement meetings that Bank of Valletta is holding with the key players across all its customer touchpoints, bringing together the people who ultimately de- liver services to the Bank's vast customer base. Simon Azzopardi, Chief Wealth Management Officer in- itiated the meeting by highlight- ing the importance of creating synergies within an organisation. "Bringing together professional teams and specialised staff and encouraging cooperation and mutual trust across all functions is critical in building synergies and yielding higher efficiency across the organisation," he said. The Bank's CEO, Kenneth Farrugia was also present. In his intervention he emphasised the importance of working in an agile manner, consolidat- ing the Bank's efforts across all touchpoints to enhance the re- lationship between the custom- er and the Bank and improving the overall customer experience. "The Bank's efforts are being driven by a vision to provide an effective omnichannel solution to our customers. The progress being made in digitising the Bank's operations and offering a seamless service across these touchpoints goes a long way to- ward achieving this goal. Keep- ing the customer at the centre of all decisions is of critical impor- tance". Speaking at the end of the event, Geoffrey Ghigo, Head Re- tail Network at BOV acknowl- edged the challenges which the Bank overcame during 2022, also thanks to the hard work and commitment put in by the Bank's employees. "We are developing and intro- ducing a number of initiatives that are key in aligning our busi- ness goals with the overall vision of keeping the customer at the core of everything we do. Such occasions also give us a unique opportunity to listen to our peo- ple, who can provide invaluable feedback through their day-to- day engagement with custom- ers." Atlas Insurance installs two defibrillators outside its Ta' Xbiex offices ATLAS Insurance has in- stalled two automated exter- nal defibrillators (AEDs) at its Ta' Xbiex office in Triq Abate Rigord, as well as at its Head Office on the seafront. The two AEDs were installed on the exterior of the buildings in case of emergency for Atlas staff as well as for use by the general public. An AED is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, such as when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops pumping. In such occurrences, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs, leading to an extreme and immediate medical emergency. The AED is a sophisticated yet easy-to-use medical de- vice that analyses the heart's rhythm (or lack of) and if nec- essary, delivers an electrical shock or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effec- tive rhythm and start pumping blood once again. The location of these AED's is also displayed on the mobile app AED Malta. The app displays a map of all known AED locations in Malta and Gozo and includes instruc- tional videos on how to use an AED, perform CPR and basic first aid. Following the instal- lation of the two machines, a webinar was organised for TeamAtlas to learn about the correct use of these devices. Furthermore, certified training will be provided to designated first-aiders at Atlas which will include hands-on practice on how to use these machines in case of an emergency. LAST year, 340 HSBC Malta em- ployees opted to dedicate a day of paid leave to giving a helping hand in the community as part of the Bank's Volunteer Leave Day initi- ative. The scheme entitles HSBC employees to an additional day of paid leave which they can spend volunteering at a charitable or community organisation of their choosing. Volunteering contin- ues to be a cornerstone of HSBC's commitment to the community, and the bank was awarded the 2022 National Corporate Volun- tary Organisation by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector. The Volunteer Leave Day initi- ative enables members of staff to dedicate a day to any of a variety of community partners working across different segments of the community which are support- ed by HSBC. Participants in the scheme, which will be extended into 2023, overwhelmingly said that the experience was both en- lightening and rewarding and one they would happily repeat. A group of colleagues from the bank's finance team spent a day at the Soup Kitchen in Valletta help- ing with tasks ranging from wash- ing the floors to packing lunches and everything in between. They even set up a Christmas tree and decorated the premises to add a touch of joy during the holiday season. Another group of employ- ees helped with Malta's histori- cal heritage by assisting Heritage Malta wash ancient pottery frag- ments at Hagar Qim Temples. Armed with a toothbrush and a bowl of water, they painstakingly cleaned pottery fragments while looking out for engravings or markings that might merit further investigation. HSBC Bank Malta employees also had the opportunity to help build paths for the public at the Salina Nature reserve, as well as to lend a hand at Dar Hosea, which offers care and support, as well as a safe environment to women. They helped with maintenance and other tasks and helped buy groceries and other necessities, ending the day by participating in a panel discussion about the harsh realities of prostitution in Malta. HSBC Malta volunteer leave day sees 340 employees helping in the community Melita offers earthquake support to Turkey and Syria MELITA Ltd is refunding charges for international calls to Turkey and Syria to support those affected by the devastat- ing earthquake in the region. Refunds will be issued for in- ternational calls made by Mel- ita mobile and fixed telephony customers calling from Malta to Türkiye (+90) and Syria (+963). More than 5,000 people have been reported dead so far after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the region in the early hours of Monday morning. Harald Roesch, Chief Execu- tive Officer at Melita Limited, said: "The sudden loss of lives and homes from this natural disaster is a huge tragedy. By of- fering refunds we hope to help in the most direct way we can. We know from offering similar support – in response to dire humanitarian situations in Af- ghanistan and Ukraine – that this is appreciated." Refunds will be applied on calls made between February 6 and 8.