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An elated Jacquelyn with her family and
friends
"Can You Serve", which put contestants' customer service skills to test, was
shown over eight episodes on MediaCorp Channel 5 between June and July.
In the series, nine contestants competed against each other in various
challenging roles across different service-oriented industries for the top
prize of S$70,000 in cash and S$30,000 in training opportunities.
The first and second runner-up received S$20,000 and S$10,000 respectively in
training opportunities.
According to Chan, her reason for joining the competition was because "I wanted
to benchmark myself amongst the best customer service personnel, and to better
myself."
Speaking to TimeOut Singapore, she said that at
first she had been reluctant for a few reasons. "One, I wasn't too keen on
being on TV, being somewhat camera-shy, and secondly I didn't know if I could
afford to be away from Rucksack for too long."
The Rucksack Inn, located near Clarke Quay, is billed as a "place for
backpackers by backpackers". Ms Chan said she had always wanted to own her own
business when she studied overseas in New Zealand.
"I always knew I had a flair for dealing with people, and the jobs I took up
part-time when I was in university had everything to do with service. From
being a part-time gym and aerobics instructor, a waitress at a Japanese
restaurant, and finally my first full-time job as a cabin crew in Singapore
Airlines, I knew where my strengths and passion were, and when the opportunity
came to set up and run a backpackers, I never looked back since."
Of all the challenges thrown at the contestants, she said that the personal
butler challenge at the Shangri-La Hotel was possibly the hardest. "Having no
experience of that sort, it is hard to imagine and rehearse in my mind the
scenarios of what the VIP would expect or request for.
Contents sharing their experience about
the show
"And knowing it's a VIP, they generally have very high expectations! And with
such a tight time frame to complete all the tasks, I had to think on my feet
and be resourceful. On top of that, I must always appear to be in control of
the situation. The VIP who is anxious to get to her party will want to feel
that she can rely on me. This is a job not for the faint-hearted!"
In her opinion, "delivering good service is about going the extra mile and
exceeding customer's expectations because that is what sets you apart from the
rest."
As for what she plans to do with the $70,000 cash prize, she said, "I would buy
mum and dad a trip to any destination they choose, and pay for their expenses
because they both love travelling."
"Can You Serve" was designed to be an entertaining reality series with humour
and human drama, aimed at reflecting the dynamism and diversity of service
careers. Hosted by Denise Keller, it had a panel of three judges, comprising
two resident judges, who assessed the contestants' performances in the
challenges and determined who should be eliminated in each episode.
Service expert Bentley Williams and Colin Kerr, Assistant Vice President -
Entertainment of Star Cruises were the two resident judges.
A joint initiative between activeTV and the GEMS Up movement, and supported by
the Restaurant Association of Singapore, Singapore Hotel Association and
Singapore Retailers Association, Can You Serve aimed to:
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Showcase the professionalism, skills, grace, craft, and pride that characterise
the service industry;
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Bring about a better understanding of the challenges that service professionals
face, and in turn, a better appreciation of their craft and skill;
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Inspire viewers to consider a career in the service industry, which is dynamic,
fulfilling, and fun; and which also offers flexibility, mobility and scope for
career advancement and growth; and
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Highlight the role of Business Leaders in shaping the service culture in their
company.
The training opportunities worth S$30,000, S$20,000 and S$10,000 were awarded by
the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA).
