Profiles
Ruth Quaglieri
I began my career as a Trainee General Manager (TGM) in April 2006. After completing my MSc in Management at Lancaster University, I was looking for a training programme with excellent overall provision. The Programme at Mecca is extremely thorough. I've had the chance to develop skills in marketing, human resources, recruitment, finance, customer service and much more. When I qualify as a General Manager (GM) I will have the opportunity to virtually run my own business, being responsible for the profits of that club.
As a TGM, you get the opportunity to move around a number of clubs, working with different GMs. My first club, Blackpool, is one of the busiest in the country, yet in the first few months I was on first name terms with countless regular customers, many of which come to bingo for the social aspect. This job is a fantastic confidence builder - when I first started the thought of speaking on a microphone terrified me, yet now welcoming over 1000 customers at my new club Mecca Stoke is something that I thoroughly enjoy!
The TGM job presents a very steep learning curve, but if you want the challenge of running your own business within a fun and friendly environment, then the rewards on offer and job satisfaction gained are second to none.
Sarah Whittaker
I became a TGM at Mecca Bingo in April 2006. I had no experience in the Gaming and Bingo Industry, however I worked in Hotel and Event Management in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and America.
Since I started I haven't really stopped, my days are never the same, and I'm continually being challenged, learning about the different departments, policies and practices at Mecca Bingo. I've come to see that Bingo players are breeds in themselves. My first week I had members talking to me like I had been their best friend for years or explaining where their 'lucky' seat was!
The support network is brilliant, I could not ask for a better group of people to learn from and work with. There is always someone to answer my questions and I have a lot of those.
So now at my new club in Norwich I'm completing my training as temporarily in charge (TIC) and really enjoy meeting different customers and having fun working with a new team. It helps to make the job so much more fun and interesting even though its hard work. I am really looking forward to having my own club at the end of the programme, and making it a success.