Level 3 Business Associate - Marlow

Zak

Business Operations

Level 3 Apprenticeship

Softcat

Role Description

I work within the Commercial operations team, looking after Vendor income management, helping track and facilitate marketing development funds, and ensuring that marketing invoices are paid. As well as that, I keep busy by creating company cards for us to spend on marketing activities. I continuously find ways to improve processes to ensure operation excellence in what my team and I do.

Highlights

One of my key achievements has been successfully automating and changing some of our processes around income management, and any incoming funds for vendors now being automatically populated into our database, which pushed my communication skills when holding meetings with effected teams to inform them of the improvements.

Challenges

Initially, I was quite nervous about holding and running meetings as an apprentice. The thought of speaking in front of colleagues and leading discussions was daunting. However, with practice and support from my mentors, I gradually built up my confidence. Now, I genuinely enjoy running meetings and see them as an opportunity to showcase my skills and facilitate productive discussions

Learnings

From my role, I've learned the importance of effective communication and active listening. These skills have helped me build strong relationships with my colleagues and ensure that projects run smoothly. I’ve also learned to manage my time and my diary well, so that I have a positive work/life balance.

Advice

My best advice would be that it’s okay not to always know the right answer, because there will always be support available around you, whether its your colleagues, manager – everyone is so supportive, so try to use initiative and utilise support/learn from those around you where you can.

Reason for Choosing Apprenticeship

I chose an apprenticeship because I enjoy hands-on experience and gaining practical skills that are crucial in my field, giving me valuable industry experience. As well as that, it allows me to learn directly from experienced professionals, and gaining insights and mentorship that a traditional academic route might not always provide.

Day in the Life

I typically login earlier at 8am and get started with any admin work I have, or answering general queries in my emails. I then look at what marketing activities are going ahead with the vendors we work with and raise virtual credit cards or push invoices for payment so that marketing activities can go ahead. At 12 I’ll head into Marlow if the weather’s nice and grab a bite, or I will play some pool in the games area.

Tips and Advice

Build your network as strong as you can. I think being present in the office as much as you can is great for showing what value you bring to your role and being able to have experienced professionals around you to learn from. On the other hand, Softcat offers so much flexibility in working, so try and utilise that in the way that brings the best out of you.