The title webmaster was a little-known category in the Jamaican workplace before the turn of the century; and, one could not find many women in this post in year 2000, or commanding this pivotal position in a multi-national entity that requires instant, constant flow of information to its members and customers, globally.

But, for Jennifer Jones D'Aguilar, wife, mother, matriculating MBA management student at the Mona School of Business, and webmaster, this was definitely the career she wanted to pursue; and, at Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), she found her niche in the organisation's Corporate Communications Department.

"I believe that a website should provide cutting-edge services and best-in-class customer support, and after pursuing my first degree in information technology management at the University of Technology, I learned that there was much more to sites than a nice layout and a clear message," D'Aguilar explained.

Her grasp of HTML, COBOL JavaScript and other computer languages, software and coding improved exponentially during the modernisation initiatives at the Jamaica Information Service, around year 2000, where she was a media assistant in the Publications Department. Conscious of the dynamic changes taking place, she grasped the opportunity to be transferred to the new Computer Services Department.

World-class improvement

"I wanted to be part of the team to move the new executive agency's information base to world-class standard," Jennifer related, "and we achieved that when in 2006, the JIS website was acclaimed the Best Website Representing a Nation by Black Web Awards (BWA) in the United States of America."

Further studies, marriage to graphic artist, Paul D'Aguilar; and the birth of their sons Javier and Pierce; as well as a timely move to Jamaica National brought her close to her webmaster's dream.

"While I was on maternity leave around 2007, as an avid reader, I had time to read and surf the web; and I watched as social media emerged in Jamaica - as Facebook, Twitter and all the other applications became standard modes for communication," she explained. "And, I wanted to be part of this new media, hence my career move to a corporate climate where technology was a priority and empowering."

She said that Jamaica National gave her the opportunity to design and develop websites which rank with Fortune 500 sites globally, in a culture that was already intensively driven by ICT, with a dynamic network of computer technology and highly professional technical executives, managers and technicians.

"In this environment, one has the opportunity to grow," D'Aguilar affirmed. "your manager, executives, associates, and even the general manager, take the time to meet with you, discuss concepts and point you in the right direction."

She noted that the current JNBS website had mapping inputs from Wendell Smith, assistant general manager, management information systems and operations; and the general manager, Earl Jarrett, gave his approval once he could surf the site logically.

The webmaster is proud of the fact that the JNBS website uses a social-media platform to maximise its search-engine results, and this has increased its Google ranking.

Earlier this year, she was acclaimed 'regional employee of the quarter,' and was rewarded for "the creativity, diligence and foresight which she brings to the management of www.jnbs.com; as well as other sites in the JN Group."

Quiet assurance

Tanya Pringle, manager of corporate communications, said that, "Jennifer brings a quiet assurance into the work space; and her grasp of website development improves our communication internally and externally."

She said that the website enjoys monthly hits of some 11,512,927; and visitors spend an average of two minutes on the site. In addition, the department issues some seven e-newsletters, and an average of seven e-updates, via Bronto, on a monthly basis.

"Our major membership base spans Jamaica, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, and several countries in the Caribbean region," Pringle explained, "And, our webmaster, with her keen insight and professional approach, along with the communication team, drives the process to keep our members informed."

For Jennifer, the recognition was a surprise and most welcome. "I am so caught up in designing new sites and maintaining existing ones ... that I never even thought of my own performance level. And it certainly feels good to be appreciated."

Her current goal is to participate in "establishing a single working space" within the society, via a customised Sharepoint platform, under the guidance of the organisation's Enterprise Management Operation (ePMO), to enhance information sharing and archived databases.