Since
I completed two placements I believe I have gained a whole range of new skills
both personal and professional.
As
the first at Agent was me developing my own brand it showed me just how well I
can represent myself as not only a person but almost the brand itself, as it
was all my own idea’s I had to not only create something that would suit my
target audience but something I was particularly passionate about and a brand I
was proud to say was mine.
After
this placement I believe I could begin my own business with the plan and
project they set for me. Obviously it would not be as easy as creating a
presentation but I have acquired a whole range of ideas that I could easily
adapt to my own business idea.
As well
as career wise I gained a lot of social confidence as I was out of my comfort
zone compared to the regular as a lot of my social connections are with females,
so to then be part of a team where it is made up mainly of men was a big change
for me. I believe I adapted well to this change& enjoyed having a mixed
range of not only gender but ages around me too. I found a man’s perspective about
a brand/idea is not always the same as females and by working together
something completely new and exciting can be created.
I
really enjoyed working at Agent and I believe it has benefited me not only with
my ideas but I gained a lot of connections whilst working there to.
The
second of my placements with Sophie and Anna was something completely different
and was a lot more ‘homemade’ in terms of a business, not only were the girls
sisters but both their parents helped out a awful lot within in my time there,
as the shop was undergoing a refurbishment. This showed me even if you do set
up a business completely along, it’s almost impossible to not need help from at
least one person, even just the odd favour.
As
the shop was undergoing a huge rebrand it was as if the girls where starting
their business from scratch again which I really loved to see. They had just
set up an alterations service when I arrived so one of my tasks was to do a bit
of market research and check out the competition for that type of service in
Southport. This involved collecting prices and quotes from other alteration
services nearby to see what Sophie & Anna would be up against. This is a
something that I will continue to do and ensure to adapt it to my own business ideas.
In
terms of self confidence I did gain a lot as I felt the girls trusted me with
certain jobs as well as collecting clients and welcoming them to the shop. This
was something I was particularly proud of as that greeting is the first
impression a client would get from the shop, so to of been there only two weeks
and be given that job was a big responsibility for me as well as a compliment.
I
picked up a few new skills when it came to sewing such as hemming a pair of
trousers precisely and properly, as I had never actually done this before. I
also learnt about fitting a garment to a body as I was part of quite a few
fittings, both bridal wear and for alterations, this improved my customer
service also. Overall I not only feel more confident about not only my sewing
skills but how I am as a person in the working world too.
Both placements
taught me how I can adapt to any situation I am in & that I can do myself
proud within a business environment.
