Business Manager Review

My role of Business Manager has changed a lot over the past few years. Where initially it was about managing and leading a team, analysing financials and running operations, there has been a lot more counselling and guidance added and there are times I feel more like an unqualified counsellor rather than a business manager. I am responsible for the customer experience in my restaurants and my strategies of leading are geared towards that data and implementing change to meet customer expectations.

I have learnt a lot more skills throughout the degree apprenticeship. One thing I am very grateful for is learning all of the theory behind what we do and asking questions as to why we do things in a certain way. I have also gained a lot more confidence throughout this course and believe that I am more structured in my arguments if I think I am right about something and don't feel like others are convinced.

I have fully enjoyed the whole student experience. I think that MMU are fantastic and that they are not only supportive of their students but that they are very positive. They are also excellent in providing feedback and I have been presented with many opportunities to develop and work on myself as a personal thing and not just educational. If you are willing to get involved and work hard then the results are obvious.

I do think that the programme is structured and organised. If I were to critique though, I do think that going from L5 to L6 is quite a big leap so I think expectations need to be managed a little better in regards to what to expect regarding assignment results. The difference in the need for academia is substantial and a lot of us haven't been in full time education for a while. Once again though, there are tools and resources made available should you need them. The skills team are fantastic and very helpful.

I am very much a self starter and I do a lot of things off of my own back. If I wasn't that type of person my feelings might be a little different. My line manager does say that I can take whatever time I need which I am grateful for, however restaurant needs do come first which is understandable. I also don't think that employers quite realise how much work this does involve and can be considered as a "little project" rather than an extensive and at time exhaustive degree.

As beforementioned, the skills team are absolutely fantastic. I also find that they are very responsive. You don't wait ages for them to get back to you. The tutors that I have had are hit and miss. I understand that they see a lot of students but I have found that the more interactive a tutor is then the better I get out of a unit. When it is a tutor that is waffling about all the things they have done in the past with no interest in those around them then I don't enjoy it so much. Luckily haven't had a lot of those. I do find that a lot of tutors are easily contactable and responsive when you need help.

Honestly I can not stress enough how much confidence I have gained throughout this programme. I thought that my job was at a dead end and that this was my life from now on. I could have easily been one of those Business Managers that know all they need to know but I have gained so much from this education and again like I said before, it filters into personal as well as professional.

I no longer feel comfortable with extra curricular activities at work. The Business Manager role is very lonely and unless you have good relationships with other Business Managers it can be quite isolating. I do not like going out with my subordinates as I do not feel comfortable with them. There is a breed of people that think they can behave and act however they like but that complain about others for being themselves at the same time. Anything extra curricular I keep to my friend circle and those I am comfortable with.

Yes

I have had many opportunities throughout McDonald's throughout the years. You really do get out what you put into the job however, the only thing I don't like is that there is nepotism at times but I don't think it matters where you work you are always going to experience something like this. Perhaps there should be a corruption team, but once again McDonald's only really care about the bottom line.

It is hard work. People are going to be the hardest part of your job. If you can't deal with people then don't work for McDonald's. You deal with customers, work side by side with others and are always in a team of some kind. Understand and respect others. Be a team player. Your team will only respect you if you listen to them or show you have.