1. issue 008 23
Interview
22 www.bingolife.biz
When did you get started in
the bingo industry?
I Started in the industry when
I was 17 years old (I’m now
30) working on the car park
for another bingo company
because I wasn’t allowed into
the building for four months.
Was it a career choice?
At first no... I worked for
3 years at that bingo club
before I took a career break,
working various roles in
nightclubs as a bars manager
to butlins in Minehead where
I worked up from a team
member to F & B manager
for Harry Ramsdens within 4
months, After that I returned
to Stoke and a local bingo
club until I was approached
by a manager from Gala
Fenton and I have not looked
with Brett Steiner, Main Event Host
are not a problem because
Gala Bingo is local clubs for
local people..
Is posture involved in
training?
Callers are always taught
to stand up when calling as
this aids posture, breathing,
microphone technique,
ability to monitor the hall
and creates a stage presence
and that way as well if you
are looking out into the
hall you can personalise
the customers win by
looking directly at them
as you say well done and
Congratulations .
Is there a dress code for Host
- Callers?
Our preference as a host/
caller is to be dressed in a
day/business suits
Is there training to handle
any issues with patrons
with regards to them calling
house and not being heard
which does happen?
Caller/Host development
takes into account role plays
help, but natural ability is a
real plus.
Are there any key attributes
to look for in candidates that
make a good bingo caller?
When we look to develop
a caller we look at their
personality, personal
warmth, ability to connect
with the customer, to be able
to work under pressure and
the vocal range when using
microphones..
Do you have to train
pronunciation, as some
people can have strong
accents?
No strong regional accents
back since.... and that was
over 9 years ago.
What do you enjoy most
about your role as a Gala
Caller/Host.
I enjoy the socialising
aspect getting to meet
new members as well as
people who work from other
Gala’s, giving away money is
always good like on Big Link
Games…..
Is it a gift or can anyone be
an effective bingo caller
provided they gain the
appropriate training?
It takes a certain spark to be
a good caller, training does

2. on how to handle difficult
situations.
Being up on stage can be
nerve racking do you teach
methods callers can use to
keep relaxed and so avoid
getting a dry throat which
is often a direct reaction to
nerves which can affect their
ability to speak clearly?
Nerves are always a good
thing it shows you care
enough about what you are
doing to want to do a good
job, its how you deal with
those nerves and using the
nervous energy to focus on
what you are doing,
What is your favourite
movie?
Taken starring Liam Neeson
What is your favourite TV
show
Hells Kitchen (Gordon
Ramsay is a legend)
What is your favourite book?
A book by David Gemmell
called Legend
What is your favourite
holiday destination?
Marmaris in Turkey I will
always remember a sign in
the bizarre saying ‘’Genuine
fakes’’
Pass time hobbies
I am a bit of a film and music
buff so I would say films and
music!
What’s the best piece of
advice you have ever had?
“Try not to run before you can
walk”
24 www.bingolife.biz
Gala are currently working on
a whole new look and feel to
how Bingo is presented in the
21st Century with the accent
on Audio Visual Stimulus and
a Professional Delivery of our products by a
new generation of hosts….Through an Internal
Development Programme which we have written
and developed as a Gala USP we have recently
taken over 1000 Callers on a transitional journey
from Caller to Host where the skills used are less
about repeating numbers and more about how
the games are presented in a fun and exciting
way….Those successful were all awarded with
a coveted Silver Microphone Pin Badge and the
opportunity to strive even further for the Gold
Microphone….
We continue to push ahead with our Host
Development initiative and are currently
taking a further 300 Callers through a series of
developmental workshops whereby their skills
as a caller will be enhanced using presentation
techniques familiar in other industries such as
Radio and TV. This programme was completed in
September 2011 to coincide with the launch
of Gala’s most exciting Main Event bingo product.
Our commitment to our people who deliver our
products on a daily basis, is undiminished and
the plans going forward will focus on how we
further develop talent such as Brett’s and how we
help and encourage him and
his colleagues in the clubs to
deliver the highest standards
at all times….
Bob Smith, National Bingo
Product Host Manager
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