Planning Your Career in Business

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Date of submission
Table of Contents
Section A: Introduction.............................................................................................................................2
Section B: Personal Statement..................................................................................................................5
Section C: Self-Assessment and Action Plan...........................................................................................7
Skills Development Action Plan.............................................................................................................10
Conclusion................................................................................................................................................12
References................................................................................................................................................13
Section A: Introduction
This portfolio is thus meant to be a resume and a summary of change and growth, especially in
my search for volunteer or work experience. Its purpose includes presenting myself and intended
area of work as well as my commitment to professional growth within fields such as marketing
and customer service or logistics. Portfolio components are an effective skills development
action plan, a diverse CV, and a personal statement. All aspects of my performance and
development documents have been designed in ways that would show my adaptability to new
professional challenges and my passion for continuous learning.

In the working process, I have accumulated different skills and knowledge necessary to become
a professional and versatile individual. On my resume, these experiences are described, and it is
explained how each position has contributed to the development of the person. For instance,
growing my operational and logistical abilities was possible after working as a Distribution
Assistant at Net-a-Porter. Specifically, in this role I was responsible for the distribution of
products for a luxury fashion brand, specifically for influencers and VIPs orders. Since mistakes
might make serious disruptions in the supply chain, this bursting speed also expected accuracy
and, therefore, stringent performance. From this position I was able to develop good
organizational skills, high level of detail as well as be able to work under pressure which are very
essential skills especially in supply chain management and logistic as postulated by
Gammelgaard and Larson in 2001.

Furthermore, I realized at Net-a-Porter that, while internal departments such as customer service
and logistics have to cooperate with one another and external partners like delivery services and
manufacturers. A considerable amount of time the articulation and the integration process can
lead to the necessity of coordinating the flow of people’s communication for the sake of
organizing the logistics and distribution processes. This is particularly acute in logistics where
the ability of an organization to meet client expectations through effective management of
processes has a repertoire on service delivery (Murdoch et al., 2017). I have gained a lot from
this experience especially on how efficient supply chain capabilities and good customer services
support overall organizational performance.
I had a lot of practice at The Co-operative Food where I worked under the title of Customer
Team Member before being promoted to a job at Net-a-Porter. I was able to polish my problem
solving, communication and customer services or interpersonal skills while in this position. I was
responsible in handling consumer queries, managing the stock and doing cash related jobs when
I was working in a large retail business. From these duties, I understood that the maximization of
efficiency, flexibility as well as teamwork is critical in a situation where a cardinal success factor
can be client pleasure. Retail customer service requires a very strong element of personality
including empathy and communication skills beyond the need for promptness to address
customers’ complaints. Another of factors involved in sustaining service quality noted in the
literature on logistics service quality is the capability to respond to customer issues, quickly and
effectively (Wahab et al., 2017). All these abilities are general and can be used almost in any
field I have developed a lot regarding customer-oriented approach.

I am benefitting from my marketing skills apart from several other positions including jobs in
customer service and logistics. I worked as an advertising agent for Clock Advertising in
Moldova when I was responsible for designing, coordinating marketing programs. This position
also demanded knowledge of the targeted market and the clients’ needs, as well as capability to
create the working marketing campaigns which would attract the certain segments of the
audience. I was exposed to the meaning of market orientation- the capability of an organization
to fit its products and services to the requirements of its customers from this position. Because it
ensures the fact that workers possess the knowledge and skills that could strengthen an
organization’s performance, market orientation is crucial not only for marketing division but for
staff training as well (Ellinger et al., 2008). Through the completion of different marketing
projects, I was able to develop working knowledge of branding, market research and client
relation. These abilities will be very useful to me as I type of employment opportunities for
business and marketing since their relevance in customer based business is enormous.

Apart from the above mentioned positions, I’ve also held other positions that has helped to
develop my technical and social skills. For example, as a Quality Assurance Tester, I was
responsible for doing laboratory tests in order to ensure that goods complied with the industry
standards. The level of precision in this job was high because a small error made could reduce
the quality of the final result. I hold high professional regard to detail and importance of proper
professional performance in any job formalities as due to my work experience in quality
assurance. The need for methodical approach when solving problems was also emphasized in
this capacity, in my practice I have applied this ability to every position.

Other prerequisites included good financial skills and effective customer service skills required
in my capacity as Exchange Office Desk Operator. Different types of consumer enquire and
finance related transaction were managed by me during the course of my professional duties.
This I believe enhanced my ability to coordinate complex financial processes as well as ensuring
the clients are fully satisfied. Communication skills were particularly well utilized in this
position and specifically when operating as a representative for a client who had an issue with an
account balance or charge. I find that, perhaps the most essential of human abilities is listening
and understanding others’ feelings and point of view; and this skill accompanying me; as I seize
new professional opportunities.

All these diverse experiences have provided my skill set to build in various kinds of businesses
that are out there. I have also developed general skills which will help me fit in different working
environments, regardless of whether I work in the marketing department, customer care, or
distribution. Effective communication, organization skills and precision – these areas are also
key for every work position therefore I believe that each of these strengths will be useful in any
further employment. These abilities are coincident with what supply chain management and
logistics specialists have discovered to be critical to success in these areas.

In the future I am fully committed to continue the process of personal and professional
development. Learning more in project management as well as marketing strategies is one of the
goals highlighted above. These fields are crucial for commencing a successful business, and thus
carry relevance when looking into my future career plan; customer service and corporate
management. Intents: Leadership and decision making: The abilities I intend to develop in my
future work and the abilities that I developed in the previous positions. As these abilities are
important for delivering projects on time and managing the people that one is privileged to be
leading. During the envisaged subsequent job openings, I wish to acquire confidence and
efficiency to administer projects and teams by occupying leadership roles.

Section B: Personal Statement

I look forward to having the possibility to volunteer or do an internship with a company that has
creativity as a priority and employers who collaborate with each other to ensure hence customer
satisfaction. My previous working experiences in the different capacities of the customer
services, advertising, and logistics have helped me develop problem-solving and communication
skills along with being able to perform project management skills required for an organization.
Logistically, these factors mean that through practical experience I am well placed to enhance
these transferable qualities in the future, particularly the areas of logistics and customer relations.

As a distribution assistant of Net-a-Porter, I dealt with both internal and external customers to
ensure that the articles they ordered are shipped back to them accurately as well as on time.
Taking orders that involve brand icons like these social media influencers and other VIPs were
sensitive to accuracy, attention to detail, and work within a set timeframe. I was able to learn
organizational skills and time management, as well as learning how to cope with pressure better
on this task. Further, I gained more understanding of logistic systems that are important in flow
of goods into and out of distribution centers. This allowed me to have a rather clear
understanding of supply chain management, which is a crucial for companies acting in the
competitive today’s world market.

I got real life customer service skills serving as an employee at The Co-operative Food by direct
interaction with customers involving answering of queries and handling of complaints.
Overseeing the checkout section and the ordering of the stocks were among my duty as they
demanded efficiency and ability to work with many things at once within a busy store
environment. These interactions reinforced conflict solving and interconnectivity as elements
crucial in accomplishing high end customer service in a position that demands interaction with
customers. Here, I got to develop my ability to get through customers swiftly and ensure their
needs were met to ensure both functional efficiency and customer satisfaction.
.
Clock Advertising was one of the best places I have worked for, being an advertising agent there
was great. In this role, I was leading the marketing activities and managing customers and
establishing their needs and wants. From this event, we learnt how critical aspects such as
customer satisfaction and market orientation are in the success of firms. I also gained a
systematic experience in supervising the conception and execution of a multitude of campaigns,
which are central to project management and client relations. Time spent in the advertising
industry has widened my understanding on consumers and the marketing areas that are
advantageous to the consumers and the firms.

These positions have equipped me with broad set of skills that will let me work in different
environments. For my professional growth, I have found that I can undertake project
management, work with other people and effectively, prioritize tasks well when pressed for time.
I appreciate the importance of collaboration and believe that creating the outstanding result in
marketing or customer relations and satisfying customers and providing perfect logistics
services, it is better to cooperate with a team. I also strongly need to develop my leadership skills
because I would like to work in positions that require me to lead project or a team effectively.

Organizations which make me progress in marketing, customer relations or anything related to

supply chain interest me. Ultimately, my professional aspiration includes practicing all these
skills to land a job that mandates one to manage projects, retain clients and contribute positively
to the success of the firm. In my opinion, the best method to develop these skills and gain the
information about the real business world is to complete the volunteer or work experience
placement at your company.

It’s the passion I have in continuing learning and constant growth that propels me. To achieve
my goals on the job, not only I want to broaden my knowledge but also find ways to hone my
talent. I am convinced that my experiences up to date and desire to succeed makes me more
appropriate for this position. About self-developing and company prosperity, I am very excited
for developing my career and at the same time creating a prosperous company.
Section C: Self-Assessment and Action Plan

The recognition of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) usually involves
self-quiz, which is quite important. It serves as a basis for creating a particular skills
development activity plan. To define improvement needs and related objectives, as well as define
how one’s employability and overall career prospects can be improved, a self-assessment of
skills should be carried out. This section deals with identification of my strength, weakness,
opportunity and threat and the action plan for its enhancement of my digital skills, leadership
skills, strategic planning skills and networking skills.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

 Communication and interpersonal skills: During my stay at The Co-operative Food and
Clock Advertising, I gained vital experience in the capacity of a customer service representative,
by which I developed considerable skills about customer and co-worker relations. It is essential
for the success in the customer services and logistics hence making it possible for me to have
good communication skills. Wahab et al. (2017) are quite right when stating that in the field of
logistics interpersonal skills are crucial for service delivery and customer satisfaction.
 Logistics and distribution experience: As Net-a-Porter’s Distribution Assistant, I have
gained practical experience in aspects involving distribution such as checking the quality
standards of products, preparing orders ready for dispatch and ensuring that all orders meet the
client’s desired time of arrival. Thus it is clear that accuracy and time management of the
inventory shipment and delivery of the products defines the logistics operations where this
experience has helped me to strengthen my knowledge in the logistics sector.
 Ability to work under pressure: In a company that operates with high frequency and
intensity such as the retail and logistic industry, I have proved well in developing multitasking
and high productivity. According to D’Zurilla and Goldfried (1971), Relapse Prevention –
problem-solving under pressure – was pointed as behavior modification techniques that enhance
decision making on pressurized environments.
 Work ethic: Another strength is for the ability demonstrated through various positions
that I have been taken to deliver high quality results. Yankelovich and Immerwahr (1984)
defined a strong work ethic that has always proved useful within any environment as punctuality
and efficiency.

Weaknesses:

• Limited experience with advanced digital tools: Regarding software, I have the
knowledge of working in MS Office, including Excel, but little in such programs as MS Project
or with project management tools. According to Gammelgaard and Larson (2001), an important
competency of supply chain managers is digital tool expertize and thus an area that should be
addressed as a priority for the management in improving career development.

• Leadership and managerial skills: There is still much that I can do in order to grow in my
understanding of how to lead organizations and projects and manage people. To the same effect,
Ellinger et al. (2008) identified leadership and employee development as strategic in improving
performance in logistics and the other service industries.

• Focus on immediate tasks: I am very good at priorities and short-term goals but I think
that in the sphere of long-term strategic thinking I have some deficiencies. This may reduce my
capacity to foresee obstacles and to establish broad objectives in one’s individual and working
life.

Opportunities:

• Leadership development: More tasks in team and finding how a qualified official behaves
can help me in developing leadership skills. According to Gammelgaard and Larson (2001),
leadership is strategic supply chain competencies therefore suggesting that SCM is a growth
field.

• Certifications in digital tools: It would make me more hirable if I finish courses in

advanced excel and a project management software. Such certifications would ‘reflect’ skills
desired by industry as stated by Wahab et al (2017).
• Expanding my professional network: Going especially to industrial conventions, seminars
and theme fairs will enable me to interact with the real world working professionals mainly in
logistics, marketing and customer relations. Networking is of particular significance since it
helps in identification of possibilities and receiving information about existing profession.

Threats:

• Job market competition: Such high competition in the job market means constantly trying
to update oneself to keep up with the developments. According to Gammelgaard and Larson
(2001), in the light of this it is imperative that these logistics professionals begin to learn in the
process to adapt with the emerging technologies and the onslaught of the marketplace.
• Technological advancements: The fast pace of technology advancement in logistics, and
customer service requires one to be flexible to identify other tool and system to work on. Leaded
this threat has indicated that staying market savvy and developing new technical skills shall be
vital in overcoming this threat.

Skills Development Action Plan

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives
therefore the action plan provided below presents an actionable roadmap of addressing my
shortcomings and opportunities for growth opportunities.

Objective 1: Develop Digital Proficiency

Goal: In the next six months obtain working proficiency of Microsoft Project and Microsoft
Excel.

Steps to Take:

• Enroll for an online class that is developed specifically about Microsoft Project and an
enhanced Excel.

• Allocate two hours of each week to ‘applying’ what has been taught through real-life scenarios
exercise.
• Complete section certification tests within six months of the program start date or earlier.

Result: I will enhance my know-how skills specifically logistics and operations by familiarizing
myself with general as well as advanced Excel and organizing project software. According to
Wahab and colleagues (2017), this will align me to the modern corporate world’s requirements
of the technological know-how. The supply chain and logistics profession will be enhanced by
my certification thereby allowing me to being considered for other positions.

Objective 2: Improve managerial and Leadership skills

Goal: Within the subsequent 12 months Get involved in taking leadership positions in group
activities.

Steps to Take:

• Volunteer for minor chores in school or at the workplace in order to get leadership experience.

• Seeking leadership skills that will make you be successful; you have to find a role model or a
successful colleague.

• During the course of the next year visit a workshop the topic of which is leadership.

Result: Step by step promotion will allow me to obtain crucial managerial skills such as work in
a team and decision making. Ellinger et al (2008) agree to the effect that leadership is vital in the
promotion of team performance particularly in logistics. These experiences will enable me for
managerial positions in future because …

Goal 3: Enhance Long-Term Strategic Planning Abilities

Goal: It remains within the year ahead to develop the ability of managing immediate duties while
keeping strategic thinking in mind.

Action Items:

• Set long term career and personal objectives and reflect on it once a month in order to
determine whether or not they are aligned to the overall objectives.

• To improve the quality of task prioritization, attend a time-management meeting.

• Improve strategic planning knowledge by creating well elaborated project plans for sale as well
as individual projects.

Result: Hence, my overall project management skills shall be improved since the project will
place a balance between meeting short term responsibilities and long term vision. Consequently,
I’ll be able to make more precise goals and anticipate some challenges on a way. D’Zurilla and
Goldfried argued that for long-term gains when most, if not all, gains are remote or distant, either
in an individual’s lifetime or career, then it is critical to talk of problem solving acumen and
wisdom.

Objective 4: Expand Your Coworker Circle

The idea is that stronger professional connections should be developed during the course of the
next 1.5 years.

Steps to Take:

• Attend at least two workshops or conferences in a year that addresses the areas in the sector.

• Active engagement with professionals more often through LinkedIn by inviting key figures in
the subject, in addition to posting and/or replying to articles or posts.

• To interact with specialists in your field, participate as a volunteer in events connected with
your sphere.

Result: Attracting a large professional following will increase my career opportunities and
knowledge flows. Lack of social capital has been associated with low performance level and job
satisfaction which is why this objective will be important for career advancement in the long run
(Bijaang et al., 2018).

Conclusion

I have found that having a self-assessment and action plan to follow has a very helpful format in
developing a list of skills that are lacking and how they can improve my employability. This plan
identifies existing deficiencies and opportunities and its goals include strengthening of digital
competencies, leadership potential, strategic vision, and professional contacts to overcome
current shortcoming and capitalize on new prospects within the sphere of logistics and customer
service. By staying on course in my personal development goals and being a lifetime learner, I
will be able to position myself appropriately to be able to address many of the current realities of
the job market that is out there today, thus/targeted assure myself of steady career growth.
References
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Ellinger, A.E., Ketchen Jr, D.J., Hult, G.T.M., Elmadağ, A.B. and Richey Jr, R.G., 2008. Market
orientation, employee development practices, and performance in logistics service provider
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Wahab, E., Shamsuddin, A., Abdullah, N.H. and Roslan, N.A.A., 2017. Exploring the
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Yankelovich, D. and Immerwahr, J., 1984. Putting the Work Ethic to Work. Society, 21(2). DOI
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