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Career path:
2007 to date
3 Mobile
Store Manager
Sept 07 - Jun 08
Venture Portraits (USA)
Photographer and Studio Manager
Feb 07 - Aug 07
Benefit Cosmetics
Boutique Manager
Jan 02 - Feb 07
Venture Portraits
Photographer and Studio Manager
- Name:
- Jodie Harris
- Employer:
- 3
- Position:
- Store Manager
Q: What made you choose to join your current employer?
I'd just come back from working in New York and was an early victim of the credit crunch - the US economy was slowing down and the company I was working for did not want to expand any further. I wanted to find secure employment in the UK that had strong employee benefits. After speaking to a former colleague who now works for 3 UK, I was really impressed with what I heard about staff benefits and their approach. The way the company was described in my interview helped cement this - in an increasingly insecure retail world, 3 seemed like a strong choice.
Q: What is the basic function/purpose of your current role?
I manage the 3Store in Russell Square - it's not the biggest store in London (we have seven team members) but we can get very busy. In October we came second of over 300 stores for being the highest achievers above our target.
Q: How relevant were your qualifications to you getting the job?
Having a first class honours degree helps you get a foot in the door as it shows you're not afraid to work hard and that you can deal with stress. In this role my five years of management experience from different industries are my most valuable asset.
Q: Describe some of the key tasks involved in performing your current role and the frequency with which you have to perform them.
Every day is different. 3 is constantly evolving its product and branding and you can never predict who will walk in the store next and what they would like to know. My role is to support the team in ensuring that the customer has a great in-store experience, whilst ensuring that as a business we hit (and exceed) our targets. On a daily basis I'm on the shop floor as much as possible - this gives me a chance to really understand what the customers want and also how the team are dealing with this. It means I'm around to answer any tricky questions and provide feedback where necessary. This is not the type of management that you can do from just sitting in an office behind the scenes.
Q: What’s the first thing you do when you arrive at work each day?
I look at the figures from the day before, see what we have left to achieve and work out how we will try and do it. I also check online for any updates from retail communications. 3 is definitely the fastest changing company I've ever worked for - they are always looking at new services or new ways to do things and I love that. I feel confident that the products we're selling are competitive in the market place and if for whatever reason they aren't, you can be sure they'll change soon.
Q: How big is the team in which you work?
There are seven of us in my immediate team and I'm part of the Central London team which has 14 store managers. When I joined I was the only female manager, although we do have more now.
Q: Describe how your job interacts with the rest of your team.
As I am part of a small in-store team, I balance my management duties with being a sales associate on the shop floor. Customers like to see a manager being involved with the day-to-day running of the store. I try and manage the enquiries coming in and delegate these amongst the team - even the sales, which the team are usually happy to take over for me.
Q: How would you describe the working culture of your current employer?
It's a very positive environment that seems really focused on its employees. There aren't many companies that increase the commission targets just in time for Christmas, especially not in the current economic climate, but 3 did.
Q: What career avenues do you hope to be able to pursue in the next: two years, five years & ten years?
I'm currently studying part-time for a Chartered Institute of Marketing post graduate qualification in Marketing and I've always wanted to use this knowledge with my retail management experience at 3's Head Office. I was delighted when 3 offered me a six-month, full-time placement in the marketing team at Head Office - often marketing people have not had hands-on retail experience and the placement is my chance to change that and be able to make a difference.
Q: What do you like most about your current role and why?
I like the fact that it's constantly changing - no two days are ever the same and there's never a chance to get bored.
Q: What did you/do you find hardest about your current role?
I didn't come from a mobile phone background so I had a lot to learn when it came to systems and processes. Having said that, it can also be a real asset not be stuck with a 'mobile phone company' mindset - I'm known for challenging why we do certain things in the way that we do and it helps me be in tune with the customers. I find it easier to see things through the eyes of the customer than my colleagues with more experience do as they sometimes accept things the way they are.
Q: How close do you think the general public’s view of your employer is to the reality?
When 3 started in 2003 it didn't have a great network but now we have the best 3G network in the UK. People don't always understand how good it is now. My friends and family are impressed when I tell them about the benefits of working for 3 - especially my free phone and Mobile Broadband dongle.
Q: Would you recommend your employer to a friend and if so, why?
Yes, I already have. 3 really value their staff and their customers and are always ready to adapt to change. I love the fact that although 3 is a huge company, your ideas are welcomed and change happens all the time.
If there's an employee you think epitomises your company ethos or you'd like to draw attention to a particular role, why not get in touch with our team right now? Just email: advertising@theappointment.co.uk.
