Helping them Grow
New Training Tools and Opportunities
OGLEBAY HAS A TRADITION OF HOSPITALITY, the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Records show that Earl and Sallie Oglebay were known to welcome and entertain friends, family and guests lavishly. Today, our park associates work to ensure that every overnight guest and day-visitor has an equally warm welcome and great Oglebay experience.
Ideally, we strive to do more. We want to exceed the expectations of our guests. To achieve this goal, Oglebay Foundation board member Joe Eddy and his wife, Debbie, have provided the funding for two new training programs. “These programs are designed to foster excellence in our associates as well as to encourage their ongoing success,” said Karen Hess, Wheeling Park Commission vice president of human resources.
THROUGH THE CUSTOMER’S EYES – which all new and current park employees will be required to complete – develops the concept of customer-centric service in a four-hour course. When employees focus on the customer’s perspective and provide service with this perspective in mind, their level of service is higher and more impactful.
EXCELLING AS A MANAGER OR SUPERVISOR will be required of all associates who are supervisors, assistant managers and managers. This course is designed to develop skills including problem-solving and coaching skills, so our frontline team is empowered to do their jobs more efficiently. With this new program, newly promoted employees will have a framework to help them succeed and excel. Employees will complete eight hours of training over two days.
“There is no greater investment an employer can make in their business than to offer employee training and continuing education opportunities,” says Joe Eddy. “Giving park associates the necessary tools to improve each guest experience has a guaranteed return on investment, for both the park and the employees. It truly is a win-win.”
As of this writing, the Wheeling Park Commission employs 559 year-round associates. This number grows with the addition of seasonal help. During this past summer, we grew to 646 associates. PROPORTIONATELY, THIS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES MEANS WITH 2,400 ACRES THERE IS ONE EMPLOYEE FOR EACH 4+ ACRES OF LAND.
“There is always room for improvement and giving our associates tools to develop new skills or polish existing ones, offers a great opportunity for all of us to be our best,” says David Lindelow, Wheeling Park Commission president and CEO. “Our team of employees is our most valuable asset, and investing in them makes sense.”
The incredible team members who support the parks are dedicated to providing the level of service that our guests and visitors expect. It’s why so many of our guests come back year after year, and why so many of our associates have spent their careers here at Oglebay and Wheeling Park.
