Professional Development in Business - Quality Brands International - Case Study Example

Professional Development in Business Name Name of Institution Professional Development in Business Entry 1 Elevator Pitch I am an international student majoring in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University of South Australia. I will graduate in 2017, and I am interested in working in South Australia’s thriving wine industry. I am seeking a logistics management role in 3-5 years because it will give me the opportunity to demonstrate and develop the skills and knowledge that I will have acquired through my education and continuous professional development. My key strength is my willingness to learn and apply new knowledge, skills, and capabilities in problem-solving. Given that the Australian wine industry serves a global market, my medium-term career goal is to be the supply chain and logistics manager at one of the largest firms in the industry. In the long-term, my goal is to manage the complex supply chain and logistics operations of a multinational firm. Career Inspiration My father has been and continues to be my main source of career inspiration. He is a successful businessman in China, and I have always been impressed with the dedication with which he approaches work. I have learned how to take initiative and be responsible without having to be supervised or micro-managed by a superior. Career Aspirations My career aspiration is to work as a logistics manager at Wolf Blass, an award-winning Wine producer in South Australia. I will need to graduate, find work at a smaller firm, become a certified logistician, and learn about wine to be eligible for this position. This course has reinforced my aspiration to work at Wolf Blass as a logistics manager. This is because it has shown me the path that I need to take to be eligible for what would be a difficult position to get. Entry 2 My future profession will be in the field of supply chain and logistics management. The first professional standard that applies to the profession relates to ensuring that I have the personal resources to work as a manager in my chosen field. Education, professional development, and personal networks are covered in this standard. At present, I have sufficient knowledge and skills to take up an entry level position in logistics management. I will need further education, on the job training, and a professional network to meet the standards needed to practice as a logistics manager. This will be achieved by obtaining the Certified Professional Logistician Award which ensures that a professional has sufficient formal education, on the job training, informal training, and networking through seminars and publication of papers. I will also need to meet standards relating to providing direction and leadership. As a logistics manager, I will report to a senior executive and oversee other professionals that handle day to day logistics function. I will also require stakeholder management skills. In the course of my education, I have worked with various teams and found that I am capable of providing direction and leadership. This means that I will need to place minimal effort in the work environment to improve my leadership skills. The logistics management profession also has standards related to facilitating change. In particular, this applies to the use of technology where managers have to be innovative to meet the increasing demands of all parties in the supply chain. As a student, I have the theoretical knowledge of the importance of change and innovation and will need to acquire several years of experience to facilitate change. For example, I will need a complete understanding of the product as well as the logistics practices, systems, and procedures before facilitating change. Working with people is also an area that is covered in my professional standards. Success in project management relies on building meaningful relationships with a wide array of local and international stakeholders. I believe that my educational experience has equipped me with people skills, the ability to work with and lead teams, and knowledge on how to work with different cultures. When it comes to English skills, I have made considerable progress at the university and will have excellent verbal and written skills with more practice. My Chinese background also means that I will be effective in working with stakeholders from China. As a logistics manager, I will also be evaluated on how I use resources. I will be in charge of creating budgets, seeking finance, introducing technology, making decisions, and evaluating the environmental impacts of my work. I have taken courses in project management, managing decision making, ethics, and sustainable logistics and supply chain management. These courses have prepared me on how to manage the resources that will be under my control. I will be a proficient user of resources with a few years of experience in my professional. The final area of standards relates to achieving results. My role as a logistics manager will determine the overall success of my organisation. For example, a logistics manager at a food producer has to ensure timely delivery of perishable products to prevent losses and guarantee customer satisfaction. This means that a logistics manager has to have intimate knowledge of the characteristics of what an organisation produces. I believe I have acquired sufficient knowledge on how to achieve results. For example, I have taken an intensive course on project management. As part of my research on the role I want in a few years, I have also determined that I will need education on Wine to be an effective logistics manager in the industry. As such, this is an area of strength that will be improved with on the job training. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths I am a fast learner, and I have the ability to ask questions I have good verbal and written skills in two languages I have acquired detailed knowledge of supply chain and logistics management I have developed good cross-cultural communication skills Weaknesses I need to polish my verbal and written English I will need to improve my time management skills to be able to handle multiple tasks with conflicting deadlines Opportunities The sector I want to work in is experiencing steady growth I will work towards obtaining a Certified Professional Logistician Award after I graduate I have the opportunity to work in two countries due to my Chinese backgrounds Threats A change in the global economy will have a negative impact on my job prospects because wine is a luxury Advances in technology might pose a threat to logistics management The level of competition will increase due to a higher number of graduates in business-related courses Entry 4 Part 1: Action Plan Quality Brands International (QBID) has advertised for a position of logistics manager who should be bilingual (Mandarin and English). The job will be based in the company’s Melbourne Office. The logistics manager will work with a young team and will report to the Finance and Logistics Manager. The company sources goods from 30 Australian companies and serves online customers in China. The company plans to operate in India and other markets in the near future through different online shopping sites. The role at the company will involve managing a very complex logistics operation. The required skills include experience in logistics management, but the firm is ready to offer training to a suitable candidate. The other requirements include education in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, familiarity with inventory management and ERP systems, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. The job also requires flexibility in working hours, customer service exposure, and full rights to work in Australia. I have selected this job because it will involve managing a complex operation. This challenging environment will test the skills that I will acquire and provide me with numerous development opportunities. Another reason for selecting the job is the requirement for a candidate who can communicate in both Mandarin and English. I feel that this will give me a competitive advantage over other candidates because of my Chinese Background. Step Goal Action Start Duration Completion 1 Complete Degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Attend all lectures, complete all assessments on time, and study for exams to ensure that I graduate on schedule in 2017 Nov. 2016 10 Months August 2017 2 Work on communication skills and learn how to be a team player Seek group work activities, join clubs, find part time work to learn how to be part of a team Jan. 2017 8 Months August 2017 3 Improve technological knowledge and become a proficient user of software used in Logistics Management Become familiar with Inventory management systems, enterprise resource planning, Practice using advanced functions in Excel Nov. 2016 10 Months August 2017 4 Identify entry-level positions in supply chain and logistics management Ensure that I acquire the right to work in Australia, research available positions in South Australia, update resume, apply for position, be invited for an interview. Jan 2016 8 Months August 2017 5 Work for two years at an entry level position. Begin working, be punctual, learn from superiors, learn about other aspects of business management, develop communication skills, develop logistics competency Sept. 2017 24 Months September 2019 6 Build a professional network and find a mentor Find a mentor at my different workplaces, attend and make presentations in logistics management meetings, seminars, and workshops. Sept. 2017 60 Months September 2022 7 Conduct research on trends in Supply Chain and Logistics Management Seek current literature on logistics and supply chain management, identify trends that affect the career, modify action plan to increase my competitiveness in the job market Sept 2018 12 Months September 2019 8 Work towards attaining the Certified Professional Logistician Award Complete my bachelor’s degree, undergo continuous professional development which involves on the job training, informal private study, making presentations, and attending seminars, conferences, and meetings. Sept. 2017 24 Months September 2019 9 Obtain a Wines & Spirits Education Trust Level 1 Certificate Register for the course, find a place to study, prepare for exam, obtain certification in handling wines and spirits July 2018 12 Months July 2019 10 Apply for and get position of logistics manager at Wolf Blass Wines or a similar medium-sized company in the Wine Industry Research job requirements, conduct self-evaluation, update resume, apply for position, prepare for interview, get invited for interview July 2019 3 Months September 2019 11 Work for three years as a logistics manager Begin working, be punctual, learn from superiors, develop communication skills to work with stakeholders from around the world, develop logistics management competency. Sept. 2019 36 Months Sept 2022 12 Become a team leader and enhance my project management and planning skills Take on more responsibility, manage teams from different departments, initiate projects to assist organisational growth, develop skills in planning and inventory management Jan 2020 21 Months Sept 2021 13 Enrol for and Complete a Master’s Degree Research job requirements for higher positions in logistics management, find a suitable course, find a suitable university, attend classes and study, graduate July 2020 25 Months August 2022 14 Apply for position of logistics manager at Quality Brands International Direct and get invited for interview Research job requirements, conduct self-evaluation, update resume, apply for position, prepare for interview July 2022 4 Months October 2022 Part 2: Response to Selection Criteria The Logistics Manager role at QBID has requirements that can be categorised into areas related to knowledge, experience, and skills. In the area of knowledge, the job requires a candidate who has a tertiary qualification in Logistics and Supply Chain management as well as knowledge on ERP and inventory management. I will meet the first requirement by the time I graduate in 2017. Additionally, I intend to work towards a Certified Logistician Award followed by enrolling for a master’s degree before I apply for the position at QBID. It is worth noting that the post-graduate education will ensure that my knowledge remains relevant at the time of applying for the logistics manager role. When it comes to knowledge on inventory management, I plan to work in an entry level position for two years. This will give me the opportunity to work with inventory management systems on a day to day basis thereby satisfy QBID’s requirement. On the other hand, enterprise resource planning is done at the managerial level. I plan to become a logistics manager at a medium sized firm after working for two years at an entry level position. The role of logistics manager will expose me to enterprise resource planning systems and allow me to meet QBID’s selection criteria. QBID’s selection criteria in the area of experience is limited to three factors. First, the company seeks an individual who has some relevant experience in logistics management. I come from a background where entrepreneurship plays a significant role. As such, I have already acquired some experience in managing the flow of goods and services when I assisted in the family business. By the time I apply for the position at QBID, I will have acquired experience that will exceed the requirements of the company. The second aspect of the experience focuses on the ability to undergo training and obtain support from other employees. As part of my self-evaluation, I have found that the ability to learn new things and ask relevant questions is a key strength. Therefore, I will be a good candidate because I will be able to set aside my experience and learn how to be an effective logistics manager in a company that serves an international market. The third selection criteria in the area of experience is full working rights in Australia. As part of my research, I have found that the Australian Government allows skilled workers to obtain working rights. I plan to go through the relevant application processes after I complete my studies to obtain full working rights and be eligible for the position of logistics manager at QBID. Regarding skills, the first selection criteria is for job applicants to be bilingual in Mandarin and English. As stated, I have a Chinese background that gives me excellent written and verbal command of Mandarin. My education in Australia has also led to considerable improvements in my verbal and written skills in English. Therefore, I meet the company’s selection criteria in communication skills and will be able to manage QBID’s international logistics operations. The company also requires candidates that have been exposed to dealing with customers. At present, I have limited skills in dealing with customers, but I believe this weakness will be addressed through getting two years’ experience at an entry level. The company also seeks an employee who is proactive, a team player, and flexible in work hours. As part of this course, I have learned how to conduct a self-assessment and develop strategies for improvement. Therefore, I am confident that I will meet and surpass the organisation’s selection criteria in these areas. Part 3: Current Skills, Knowledge, and Experience Written Communication skills After completing my secondary education, I needed to go through the process of getting admitted to higher education. I opted for UNISA and learned that I needed to demonstrate my proficiency in English to get admitted. This was to be done through a test that measured proficiency in listening, writing, reading, and speaking in English. In addition to this task, I also had to apply for admission, a process that involved filing forms and submitting concise documentation to allow the university to evaluate my application. To complete these tasks, I searched for practice tests in English to prepare myself for the test. In particular, I focused on written communication skills as the test involved completing an essay on an assigned topic. The research proved to be valuable as I got a good grade in the test. I was also able to leverage these skills in the online application process where I drafted clear and concise responses. Organisational Ability and Initiative Before moving to Australia, I used to spend part of my free time assisting my father who is a businessman. I used to handle product deliveries to different clients in my city. One of the challenges that I often faced was meeting the varying demands of different clients who wanted delivery within a short time. As in the case of many organisations, the business had limited resources that had to be shared across different functional areas. I took the initiative to study the system that the business used to deliver products and noticed that the business struggled to meet deadlines. This was a problematic issue because the business could only be successful if it acquired repeat clients. I suggested a new system where the business increased its inventory so that some of the urgent orders could be fulfilled without having to wait for production. The urgent orders were also given priority over existing orders. The result of my action was that the level of customer satisfaction improved. The company also benefited from higher margins because the urgent orders were more expensive than regular orders. Additionally, the work of the employees was simplified because of the existence of a system to handle urgent orders while meeting the competing demands of customers who had placed regular orders. Interpersonal Skills I am an international student with a Chinese background. I began my studies at the University of South Australia without a lot of experience in communicating with the diverse range of individuals at the institution. My role in the university involved attending classes and interacting with fellow students and staff. I realised that I would only be successful in my education if I learnt how to communicate with people from all cultures. I took a keen interest in courses that had communication as a major component. I also undertook independent research on ways to improve my verbal, non-verbal, problem solving, negotiation, and listening skills. Given that English was a second language, I decided to always check that people understood what I say to reduce chances of miscommunication. As a result of these efforts, I have advanced my interpersonal skills to the point that I feel confident about working in Australia and any other country in the world. The progress in my interpersonal skills can also be seen in my confidence when I have to work in groups that are composed of both local and international students. Working Collaboratively in a Team Based Environment One of the courses that I have been taking in the course of this semester is Project Management. As part of the course, I was required to work in a team to develop a realistic project that could be implemented in two months. I was able to form a diverse team, and my role was to help in assigning tasks to the team members. Additionally, my specific role in the project work was determining the resources that would be needed to complete the project. To complete my part of the project, I collaborated with the rest of the team members who handled tasks like determining the project objectives and risks. I worked very closely with all the team members to ensure that the resources matched the changes in the project objectives. We were able to complete the project way before the deadline as a result of the collaboration between members of the team. The early completion of the project allowed us to undertake a review of all the individual contributions and make minor changes that would enhance our overall performance. Read More