Festive Financials

Director of Careers Service, John Watkins, talks personal differentiation in the context of the Christmas trading figures……

The post Christmas period brings a flood of announcements about the performance of major organisations. These are not solely based on the festive period but the importance of this particular window is often critical to the overall outcome. Interestingly the growth of the US initiated ‘Black Friday’ has changed the dynamics – a good early head start for many, but with knock on implications for delivery timetables, the run up to Christmas and sales thereafter.

The variability of performance can be quite stark – John Lewis can be broadly satisfied with today’s results but Tesco and Marks and Spencer might be a little more nervous ahead of their announcements on Thursday.

Commentators will offer a variety of explanations and I will now attempt to translate some of these onto a personal basis, so that you can see how many of the features of success are applicable in our own worlds.

1. Excellence online is important as the trend continues towards more use of this option – in our careers, our online presence and reputation are of increasing significance to employers who both scan our footprint and devote more recruitment effort in this space.

2. Confidence in your product(s) translates into holding your prices for longer rather than rushing into early panic sales which inevitably erode the margin – in our careers, we must have confidence in our ability and believe in ourselves; selling yourself short will reduce your negotiating power and generally restrict the opportunities put your way.

3. Reputation is critical and disappointments damage the brand in the medium and long-term, not just the immediate – in our careers, our brand (reputation) is vital over a sustained period; it has the power to both open and close doors, with lots of time needed to build up a strong standing and one momentary shortcoming capable of wiping it out in an instant.

4. Accountability for performance is key and admission of relative failure is necessary – in our careers, we must take responsibility for our own actions and for those whose performance we oversee; acknowledging mistakes and seeking to address them takes courage but ultimately proves beneficial in comparison to playing the blame game.

5. Continuous improvement is an admirable goal whether you are currently doing well or coming up short – in our careers, we should always be seeking to develop; sometimes it is easier to do this when it is apparent that performance has not been good enough, but it is equally important to make the good even better rather than resting on your laurels.

6. No one stays on top for ever, there will always be highs and lows – in our careers, the ride will not always be smooth and it will require commitment and hard work to reach our potential, maintain and enhance it; we will have to deal with adversity on occasions and find an effective response.

So listen out for the next set of results and accompanying explanations…..

Christmas Break?

Director of Careers Service, John Watkins, reflects on the imminent arrival of a period of rest for many, but not all….…

Christmas is one of those times when large numbers of people are able to have a break. Students at the University of Surrey will be among this group, many looking forward to a period of recuperation after a hectic Autumn on studying, holding down part-time jobs, graduate role/internship/placement year searching, not to mention the multiple student experience opportunities.

A large proportion of the working population are also on the verge of some time off. Modern technology allows ongoing access to working life but unlike summer holidays, this break tends to be universal and thus others are also taking time off. There is therefore a genuine reduction (if not quite cessation) in activity.

However, this period is amongst the busiest for those in other areas. The retailers rely upon the festive fortnight for a huge proportion of their sales (and profits). Plans for the Boxing Day sales are no doubt nearly finalised and there will be considerable shopping activity between now and the new year.

Elsewhere professional sportsmen have to go easy on their indulgence with traditional fixtures coming thick and fast. The Armed Forces are of course still on duty in large number, as are many of the emergency services. Hopefully this year, the weather will be kinder and not see cancelled leave as was the case in 2014.

It all goes to emphasise the huge variety of careers and the resulting demands placed upon people. If you are able to switch off during this period, spare a thought for those who are still very much in operational mode and not able to unwind. They will of course have such an opportunity at some point, when the situation reverses…….

Christmas Cards

Director of Careers Service, John Watkins, reflects on an annual ritual firmly endorsed by some and shunned by others….

In the first week of December I received the following:

– 3 Christmas Cards; all seasonally themed but none with any religious connotations
– 2 substitute e-cards; both including reference to environmental friendliness
– 1 e-mail; announcing that no physical or e-card would be sent this year but money donated instead to a good cause (it also included best wishes, so sort of matched the purpose of other communiques)

As you give (or don’t) and receive this year, perhaps you might look a little deeper at the motivation of the sender(s) and possible traits of you and them.

Christmas cards; traditionalist, relationships matter (especially to those who add an update of their 2014 life)

E-cards; pragmatic, committed, efficient, relationships still matter

E-mail; relationships matter so much that there is a need to justify action

The key similarity – relationships

We take the opportunity presented by this time of year to communicate with nearest, dearest, not so near and not so dear. At some point in the past, sometime in the future, currently (and possibly all three), the person(s) has mattered enough to warrant contact.

Those with the longest lists will either be those with the most festive spirit or those with the widest network. In life as in careers, this requirement to devote additional time and effort has its drawbacks, but the positives generally outweigh. Those that have more people to call upon for support, advice, favours, affection can probably consider themselves the best off.

So as you ponder your approach, say yes to those that you are not sure about and see how you can live your life in 2015 in a way that increases your list by next Christmas….

Christmas Revelations

Director of Careers Service, John Watkins, counts down to Christmas Day….

Your approach in preparing for the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ reveals a lot about you, although the list below has a large dose of generalisation!

1 month to go: a) Plans made, invites issued, presents bought (and wrapped), variations of Band Aid songs dominating your playlist, lights tested (and soon to go up)
b) Build up starts soon, although probably not before the start of December, pretty clear on who, what, why where, when but still to be firmed up
c) It’s November, so much can change between now and the big day, so let’s wait until much nearer the time. Pretty sure it’s the 25th but no idea which day of the week Christmas Day falls on.
Everything will be fine (it was last year)

2 weeks to go: a) Mild panic, the shops do sell out and some of the early purchases have best before dates. Slightly frustrated at the indecision of others but if a law were passed to bring forward Christmas by 14 days, we’re good to go
b) In control but wishing maybe that more had been done earlier. Still glad I don’t fall into a) or c)
c) Apparently shops used to shut early on Wednesdays and were never open on Sundays. That might have made things trickier but in 2014 there are still 14 shopping days left. No point peaking too soon

Christmas Eve: a) Everything is ready, Turkey timings checked and double checked, a few thank-you letters drafted as the preparedness included a list of presents you’d like
b) Most things are ready but it might be a late night wrapping
c) Game on. This is what gets you going and it only comes round once a year. Chris Rea on repeat and we’ll be driving home for Christmas with those last minute ‘get out of jail’ presents

So are you mostly an a), b) or c)?

Christmas lessons

Director of Service, John Watkins, feels it is legitimate to mention the C word as lights start to be turned on in various towns and cities….

The build up to the festive period always starts early, but the thought of it depresses some (the cost, the family, the weather..) and excites others (the presents, the time off work, the family, the weather…). Whichever group you fall into acceptance is needed that it is now closing in. The ‘good’ news is that everyday is a shopping day between now and Christmas, so there is still time to equip yourself with the essentials and sundry luxuries.

From a careers perspective, the all day every day retail reality (not far off 24 hours a day on the High Street in the final weeks but certainly always open online) is helpful for a number of reasons:

– those in education have an opportunity to pick up some temporary work which both lines their pocket and gives them valuable work experience to add to their cv

– all of us are reminded of the qualities that play such an important part of life in the workplace, such as: plan early, show patience, understand what others want, learn from the mistakes made in previous years

– observing others can be very useful to our own development; a bit of people watching as the stress builds is often a good lesson to us on how we are viewed when we ‘lose’ it. Watching someone provide efficient, friendly service when in the midst of a long day with fractious customers, shows us how we should respond when put under pressure

No we just need to hear the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl to really get in the mood….

Countdown to the end of the Year

Director of Careers Service, John Watkins, can see the end of 2014 in sight….

November is almost upon us, with Halloween to negotiate and then little more than 50 days until Christmas.

It is a very distinctive time for University students as a frantic October with all manner of events to mark arrival or return, a furious period of activity in applying for placement or graduate jobs (31st October is a common deadline) gives way to different forms of distraction.

Firstly there are the darker nights to contend with in the aftermath of the clocks going back. Then there is the need for extra layers, the winter coat emerges and extra time is required by drivers for de-frosting.

It also heralds some major coursework deadlines and a renewed focus on the academic commitment.

This is where the challenge of managing time, such a crucial workplace skill, really kicks in. The demands of the degree are considerable and cannot be crammed in at the very last moment. But how do you balance this with the ongoing job search, the ongoing social life, the ongoing part-time job, the ongoing social media devotion etc? With the prospect of some advanced Christmas shopping and only 30 days to play with, it is no wonder that this month stretches students thin.

At the University of Surrey this year we are really testing students to juggle their time with the sophistication of an experienced worker. There are more than 40 careers events on offer in what is a wonderful, but difficult position to be in with all the other opportunities and commitments competing. The prospect of growing a moustache for Movember becomes appealing as much for its time saving aspect as charitable fundraising!

By December, though, if the students don’t emerge triumphantly having balanced all to perfection, they will at least have had good preparation for the real world where every month is a ‘November’!

Standing out from the competition

Director of Careers Service, John Watkins, uses recent business trading figures as a comparator for personal differentiation……

The post Christmas period brings a flood (forgive the term) of announcements about the performance of major organisations. These are not solely based on the festive period but the importance of this particular window is often critical to the overall outcome. The variability of performance has been quite stark – there have been very definite winners and losers, with Tesco and Morrison falling into the latter category when they became the latest to share their results.

Commentators will offer a variety of explanations and I will now attempt to translate some of these onto a personal basis, so that you can see how many of the features of success are applicable in our own worlds.

1. Excellence online has generated good outcomes as the trend continues towards more use of this option – in our careers, our online presence and reputation are of increasing significance to employers who both scan our footprint and devote more recruitment effort in this space.

2. Confidence in your product(s) translates into holding your prices for longer rather than rushing into early panic sales which inevitably erode the margin – in our careers, we must have confidence in our ability and believe in ourselves; selling yourself short will reduce your negotiating power and generally restrict the opportunities put your way.

3. Reputation is critical and disappointments damage the brand in the medium and long term, not just the immediate – in our careers, our brand (reputation) is vital over a sustained period; it has the power to both open and close doors, with lots of time needed to build up a strong standing and one momentary shortcoming capable of wiping it out in an instant.

4. Accountability for performance is key and admission of relative failure is necessary – in our careers, we must take responsibility for our own actions and for those whose performance we oversee; acknowledging mistakes and seeking to address them takes courage but ultimately proves beneficial in comparison to playing the blame game.

5. Continuous improvement is an admirable goal whether you are currently doing well or coming up short – in our careers, we should always be seeking to develop; sometimes it is easier to do this when it is apparent that performance has not been good enough, but it is equally important to make the good even better rather than resting on your laurels.

6. No one stays on top for ever, there will always be highs and lows – in our careers, the ride will not always be smooth and it will require commitment and hard work to reach our potential, maintain and enhance it; we will have to deal with adversity on occasions and find an effective response.

So listen out for the next time a set of financial figures are published…….

2014 – Top Tips from Director of University of Surrey Careers Service

John Watkins throws his thoughts into the mix as a new year dawns…

It is always important to get off to a good start, so my first three recommendations are all achievable before the year has barely started.

1. Watch the New Year’s Day episode of Sherlock either as an avid fan who has been waiting for 2 years or a new one who can spend a very worthwhile 2 hours in front of the telly.

2. Make sure your Christmas decorations are down by the ‘twelfth night’ and recycle unwanted items so that the box can come back out in December 2014 containing only useful items.

3. Write someone a letter, thanking them for some aspect of Christmas – communicating personally and showing appreciation are important qualities and this act tends to gain you disproportionate credit.

Now the slightly harder…

3. Get that Linkedin profile started/updated whether you are actively job hunting or just want to show the professional world a more up to date version of you.

4. Identify at least 2 trusted people/sources to have a sensible conversation about the content of 3. above

5. Plan how you will respond to the conversations in 4. above to ensure that you can further enhance your profile by the summer of 2014 (note: this probably means that this is not going to involve many [if any] quick wins.

6. On the basis of the positives obtained from 3-5 above, offer advice, support, words of wisdom to someone who you can help. It is as beneficial to give as to receive.

And now two really ambitious tips to finish…

7. Put yourself forward for something you have previously shied away from or actively declined. It is thus likely to be outside your comfort zone, but expanding this area is advantage in many respects.

8. Make a concerted effort to ask people (in person is best) for feedback on you – on the way you come across, on your habits, on your strengths and weaknesses. It is not a comfortable experience but yields enormous insight and the opportunity to build on qualities and address areas for improvement. The more people you ask, in as many different aspects of your life, the greater your source of information on the one person who you have the power to change.

Good luck!

Holiday for some…

Director of Careers Service, John Watkins, reflects on the season when many rest but many have work commitments…

Christmas is one of those times when large numbers of the working population are able to have a break. Modern technology allows ongoing access to working life but unlike summer holidays, this break tends to be universal and thus others are also taking time off. There is therefore a genuine cessation in activity.

However, this period is amongst the busiest for those in other areas. The retailers rely upon the festive fortnight for a huge proportion of their sales (and profits). The Boxing Day sales are on and there will be considerable shopping activity as we head towards the new year.

Elsewhere professional sportsmen have to go easy on their indulgence with traditional fixtures coming thick and fast. The Armed Forces are of course still on duty in large number, as are many of the emergency services. This year, this will include those who thought they might be able to relax but who have been called into action as the weather batters the country and stretches infrastructure to the limit. Those with responsibility for forecasting the weather are also being asked to step up to the plate with the most accurate information possible to help prioritise support.

It all goes to emphasise the huge variety of careers and the resulting demands placed upon people. If you are able to switch off during this period, spare a thought for those who are still very much in operational mode and not able to unwind. They will of course have such an opportunity at some point, when the situation reverses…….

Christmas Preparations

Director of Careers Service counts down to Christmas Day….

Your approach in preparing for the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ reveals a lot about you, although the list below has a large dose of generalisation!

1 month to go: a) Plans made, invites issued, presents bought (and wrapped), The Pogues dominating your playlist, lights tested (and soon to go up)
b) Build up starts soon, although probably not before the start of December, pretty clear on who, what, why where, when but still to be firmed up
c) It’s November, so much can change between now and the big day, so let’s wait until much nearer the time. Pretty sure it’s the 25th but no idea which day of the week Christmas Day falls on.
Everything will be fine (it was last year)

2 weeks to go: a) Mild panic, the shops do sell out and some of the early purchases have best before dates. Slightly frustrated at the indecision of others but if a law were passed to bring forward Christmas to 11th December, we’re good to go
b) In control but wishing maybe that more had been done earlier. Still glad I don’t fall into a) or c)
c) Apparently shops used to shut early on Wednesdays and were never open on Sundays. That might have made things trickier but in 2013 there are still 14 shopping days left. No point peaking too soon

Christmas Eve: a) Everything is ready, Turkey timings checked and double checked, a few thank-you letters drafted as the preparedness included a list of presents you’d like
b) Most things are ready but it might be a late night wrapping
c) Game on. This is what gets you going and it only comes round once a year. Chris Rea on repeat and we’ll be driving home for Christmas with those last minute ‘get out of jail’ presents

So are you mostly an a), b) or c)?

There is no right or wrong – all end up celebrating the day and bring their own uniqueness to the festive fun. It’s a neat lesson for us in that life is like this all year round with different people doing things in their own way, seeking to achieve a broadly similar outcome just using a variety of means.

We urge patience at Christmas, so take the same approach at other times. Embrace diversity and ‘admire’ those who do things in a different way to you…..