Lamar Caines, Bermuda Tourism Authority Research Assistant

What are the primary goals and objectives of your position?

To provide the BTA and stakeholders with information that assists in making informed decisions and the reporting of Key Performance Indicators and other metrics. We conduct research for the Product and Sales teams (among others) to assist them in setting strategies, making decisions and providing feedback for events. The range of requests differ greatly depending on the project or division in which the request originated. In regards to reporting, the more we can measure the more guidance we can provide as to what may be working well, and what isn’t, which is a major goal.

How do you go about accomplishing those goals and objectives?

Everything we work on involves finding data in one form or another, whether from government departments, or organisations in which we are members who provide reporting, as well as from third party sources.

How does what you do tie into the National Tourism Plan?

My role measures and documents the changes occurring. For example, the NTP states that we can get visitors to spend more while on Island; I track this over time to make a determination as to whether this occurs, and why they are spending more, as well as quantifying the benefit derived from the increased spend.

Describe a typical day

There is no typical day. Requests vary to a large degree in terms of complexity, time needed and the inputs required to finish the task. Priority is given to tasks that have a closer due date while those that will only a short time are usually completed right away to get them ‘out of the way’. Most tasks are related to report writing; gathering and analysing the data, then putting it into a format that is useful for the person from whom it was requested.

What prepared you for the role you have?

My former time at Butterfield Bank was absolutely the foundation skill set that’s required in this role. I have a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Human Resources, which focused on the accounting and finance side. After completing the Bank’s Management Trainee Program, I progressed from a financial analyst to a credit risk analyst and my major responsibilities centred around reporting and variance analysis. That experience taught me how to structure reports in a useful way, and how to write about trends and explain why they are important. My continued involvement in the Chamber of Commerce’s Economics Advisory Committee is also a major contributor to my skill set.

How is your success measured?

By both the timeliness and usefulness of the information I provide to our team, stakeholders and the broader public.

Who is integral to your success at work?

My direct supervisor is showing me the ropes and her input is invaluable. She has a background in tourism which has helped me to understand concepts and terminology used in the industry. The persons who provide us the data to produce reporting also play a major role.

Why did you join the BTA team?

Joining the BTA was a chance for me to follow my passion. I started Bermuda College in Hospitality Management, but due to a lack of enrolment in the programme back then I was required to switch majors. When I heard the BTA were hiring it was an opportunity to focus on my original passion while being a part of something bigger that I could help shape and that has the potential to change the Island.