Africa-Press – Botswana. Ryan Louise was crowned Seychelles Revenue Commission’s employee of the year 2021 and he received his prize during the long service award ceremony held on Friday April 22, 2022 at the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) conference room,
The 26-year-old from the enforcement department performed well in his duties and displayed exemplary aptitude towards his work and peers.
He was chosen among 11 nominees for the award and received a trophy, a cash prize of R10,000, a basket of goodies, a certificate and letter of award.
Today we share with you, our readers, an interview with Ryan.
Question:
When and how did your career with the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) start?
Ryan:
I started working for SRC on June 1, 2016, almost six months after completing my studies at the School of Business Studies and Accounting (SBSA).
Question: Why did you choose SRC and why this specific field of work?
Ryan:
Upon completing my studies at the SBSA, I applied for several jobs and went for two job interviews. Being successful for both vacancies, I ended up having to make the biggest decision in between the two jobs. After careful consideration, I ended up taking the offer SRC proposed instead of joining the private sector. I remember being very keen to know more about what this ‘new’ line of duty entails, which remains very interesting and challenging, as I envisioned it to be and I must say that working in the taxation field specifically the enforcement department where I am based, continues to be full of great opportunities where I am able to broaden my knowledge and develop my skills further.
Question: What does your role entail?
Ryan:
My current role entails recovering debts from non-compliant taxpayers. I have to apply several course of actions correctly in order to successfully recover the debts from the non-compliant taxpayers.
Question: Take us through your journey of rising through the ranks (if any) and the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
Ryan:
When I first joined SRC, I started working alongside a Value Added Tax (VAT) officer, Mrs Samantha Albert. It was quite an experience to start with, but with her perfect and clear guidance, I managed to successfully fulfill my day to day duties. I have to say, that Mrs Albert has positively contributed in helping me become the hard working employee I am today. After almost two years on the job, on May 1, 2018, I saw myself being promoted to a higher rank within the department. Thereafter, I started working on individual case files whereby I was responsible for monitoring debtors. Again, not an easy role as I may have thought because the role itself is very demanding and requires a lot of understanding and skills to be able to acquire relevant information. In 2021, I started dealing with ‘processing of tax clearance’ applications, one of the toughest tasks that I have ever dealt with if I dare say, yet fulfilling the best experience I’ve ever had since working with SRC.
Question: Of the many factors that people consider to stay in an organisation, what has made you stay with SRC and eventually win the employee of the year award?
Ryan:
I am someone who always thinks positively in all settings of life. I believe in taking work advice from my seniors and even junior colleagues constructively to move forward in my line of work.
Question: What are your own personal achievements?
Ryan:
I would definitely say being named employee of the quarter of SRC’s enforcement department for the first quarter of 2021, and also being nominated three times for that same award that same particular year.
Question: Has there been any challenges and what values do you go by in ensuring best practice to the public?
Ryan:
Having a job without challenges is definitely boring. So yes, there has been quite a few challenges including lack of human resources to share workload, the current work system which does not permit outcomes to be as fast as we would have all liked it to be. One thing I always remember being told during my induction course with the SRC is the “Taxpayers are always right!”. In this line, I always respect whatever a taxpayer has to say, and I make it a priority to listen very attentively to all taxpayers when I meet with them so that I know what to say next. It is a must for me to ensure that both parties are satisfied with the services provided as it does not only demonstrate the professionalism I apply in my work but it also showcases the professionalism of the organisation.
Question: What is your message of encouragement to the younger generation joining this field of work?
Ryan:
My advice is not to give up easily. Take control of your emotions, listen to other colleagues and their words of encouragement and I am very sure if you do it, you will succeed.
Question: What are your plans for the future?
Ryan:
My plan is to further my studies and I am also looking forward to being a long-serving awardee of SRC, so if all goes as planned, this is not the last of me that you will read about.
Question:
We celebrated Labour day last weekend. Do you have any special message to the Seychellois workforce for that occasion?
Ryan:
I hope the Seychellois workforce had a safe and blessed Labour day. Let’s keep contributing towards our economy for a better future. I also take this opportunity to urge those who are not part of the Seychellois workforce to join us as it is only by working together that we shall succeed.
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