Clothing Design And Manufacture Work Placement Report - Essay Example

Sales Advisor Position Summary The Sales Advisor position at Harvey Nichols, in Edinburg Centre, requires frequent one to one contact with prospective customers. Sales Advisors are required to provide the best customer service possible. As Sales Advisor at Harvey Nichols, employees also must handle many other responsibilities related to the position. Handling purchase transactions, stocking sales floors, answering phone inquiries and preparing catalog sales are all essential duties. Interactions with other departments and managers occur on a daily basis, so the Sales Advisor must approach the work as part of a team effort. This is vital in the success of each department at Harvey Nichols. Introduction Harvey Nichols is an international store catering to the lifestyles of those who desire luxury, quality and high fashion. It offers women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, beauty products, home products and food, in the world’s most prominent brands. The store is “renowned in both the UK and internationally for its extensive selection of fashionable merchandise”(harveynichols.com). Harvey Nichols has stores in London, Edinburg City Centre, Birmingham and Dublin. Additional stores are located in Saudi, Arabia, Hong Kong, Dubai and Istanbul. Harvey Nichols began in 1813, as a small linen shop on the corner of Knightsbridge, with a single owner, Benjamin Harvey. Soon after, Colonel Nichols joined, with his exquisite imports of oriental rugs and silks. The organization was purchased by the Burton Group in the 1980s and later, by the Dickson Group. It returned to private ownership in 2003, by Hong Kong businessman Dr. Dickson Poon. By the end of the fiscal year, in March 2007, “sales totaled 166.7 million pounds”(Business Week). The flagship store in London offers a restaurant, bar, wine shop and food market. The organization opened its first stand-alone restaurant in 1996, in Oxo Tower. In 1999, it opened Prism, in the financial district of London. Future locations of stores include Bristol, Jakarta and Indonesia. Harvey Nichols has won numerous advertising awards, with its unique approach and style. Opportunities for employment range from chef to fashion buyer. The possibilities within the organization are limitless. The Harvey Nichols web site includes many of the current product offerings, as well as a portal for journalists to obtain the most current information regarding new product release and current events. It is estimated that “7,873 visit harveynichols.com daily”(statbrain.com). Report 5.1 The Sales Advisor at Harvey Nichols works on the sales floor assisting customers with selection of appropriate products such as clothing house wares, beauty products and accessories. his requires more than merely directing the customer, to the correct area or department. It requires effective, ongoing communication with the customer, to ensure that his or her needs and desires are understood. Customers are then advised which items or clothing lines might best suit their personal needs. 5.2 Duties for the Sales Advisor are not limited to customer service on the sales floor. Mathematics skills are required to complete payment transactions of customer purchases. Stocking or restocking requires knowledge of stock levels and communications with vendors and warehouse personnel. Sales floor employees must also handle telephone calls, which may be to ask about specific products or about store information in general. Some callers may need to be referred or switched to other departments. Additional duties Include keeping sales floor areas clean and tidy. General housekeeping duties are required, as well straightened and adjusting merchandise and displays. 5.3 Typically, a Sales Advisor is assigned to a particular department, based on education ad training. A Clothing Merchandiser or Designer works in the women’s attire or accessories. Each department is supervised by a Department or Unit Manager, who reports to a General Sales Manager. The Sales Advisor often works in more than one department and acquires knowledge of all product lines and brands within the store. Communications with warehouse workers and vendors through automated computer system takes place at regularly scheduled intervals, though some communications by phone may be necessary. General tidying and housekeeping duties are expected of each sales floor employee near the end of each shift, or when necessary. Sales floor managers visit each department at least daily and department managers remain on the sales floor to assist with and direct employees. The operations of the sales floor is expected to run smoothly, with department managers handling most issues that occur from day to day. Occasionally, problems with employees may be referred to the Sales Manager. 5.4 The Sales Advisor learns to adapt, when the needs of the organization change. At times, processes change as well. Flexibility, in re-learning or unlearning the old and learning the new, is a helpful attribute in making the work day much less difficult for employees. Sales employees also become more confident in product or brand knowledge over time. This results in increasing ability to make appropriate recommendations that please customers. The ability to handle multiple tasks or multiple customers also comes with increased experience and time on the sales floor. As the Sales Advisor becomes more knowledgeable in store operations, exchange of and presentation of new ideas is welcome by management. “Those employees whose ideas are put into practice are acknowledged and rewarded”(harveynichols.com). Conclusions The Sales Advisor begins the position with general knowledge of how the store operates. First hand experience in witnessing how the chain of command works gives new workers incentive to achieve future goals. The various attributes of different managers and co-workers provides opportunity to develop specific skills that are most desirable. General operations at Harvey Nichols appears to run smoothly, regardless of the problems that may occur on the sales floors. Managers are accustomed to handling whatever their positions may bring. Employee advisement is done discreetly and with tact. More experienced advisors are courteous, professional and willing to teach. Communications with customers and other workers become more purposeful and direct, after some time of observation and interaction on the sales floor. The learning process for the position at Harvey Nichols is one of continuing or ongoing education about processes and procedures. Experience in advising customers also provides insight into the styles and designs that are most desirable. Time spent working on the sales floor also allows the student who wishes for a career in fashion to develop individual style and areas of specific interest or knowledge. Recommendations The idea of work groups or work teams in not a new one in most corporate cultures, though some firms are quicker to form effective teams than others. The teams, comprised of individual Sales Advisors and department managers work well together. However, each customer is often served by one employee. Often the employee must hurry from one department to another to serve the customer. For example, a female customer desiring a suit, matching handbag and shoes, must coordinate the accessories. The customer is left alone for periods of time while the employee searches for matching accessories. Customers may come to feel that they are not given the attention to their needs that is required. Teams consisting of two or more Sales Advisors might better serve such customers. Whilst one is attending to the selection of a proper dress or suit, the other can assist in locating matching accessories. This saves time in walking from one department to another for the employee and also prevents the customer from becoming overwhelmed with the process. It also gives the customer a feeling of more personalized attention. Bibliography Blair, G. ‘Groups That Work,’ Reviewed 02 August, 2008, < http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/ ~gerard/Management/art0.html> Business Week 2008, Harvey Nichols Group, Ltd. Viewed 02 August, 2008, < http:// investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=881836> Harveynichols.com. viewed 02 August, 2008, Statbrain.com. viewed 02 August, 2008, http://www.statbrain.com/ www.harveynichols.com/> 1. Personal and Professional Development Planning 1.1 The student’s name 1.2 The name of the placement organisation 1.3 The start and finish dates of the placement. A. Learning Experience 1. During the placement at Harvey Nichols, I learned to sharpen my Listening skills, in order to better serve customers. Carefully identifying what each customer has to say can help the Sales Advisor satisfy the customer more fully. Each customer, as an individual, has his or her own preferences in style, décor and brand. At times, misunderstandings occurred. This led to customers becoming frustrated and doubting my abilities to serve them. I became more aware of specific language and methods of restating the customer’s desires. For instance, when a customer says she needs a suit for an upcoming wedding, she does not necessarily need a two piece skirt and suit jacket. She more likely desires an entire ensemble with a formal dress and matching jacket or cape, handbag and shoes. Well developed listening skills will allow me to produce designs and pieces that are in demand in the current garment industry. Ladies Clothing Design position Chinese Citizens’ Suit Company, Ltd. (Student Name) (Beginning and ending dates of placement) (Name-industrial Tutor) Contents Summary…………………………………………………………………………………3 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….3-4 Report 5.1……………………………………………………………………………………..4 5.2………………………………………………………………………………… .4-5 5.3…………………………………………………………………………………….5 5.4…………………………………………………………………………………..5-6 Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………….6-8 Recommendations………………………………………………………………………..8 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………...9 Personal and Professional Development Planning………………………………………10 Summary The position at Chinese Citizen’s Suit Company, Ltd. in Linyi, China, is that of Designer and Pattern Cutter Assistant. Functions performed are designing of ladies suits and dresses, with occasional Pattern cutting, upon completion of designs. Although the company is relatively small, the position requires understanding and learning of the production line in a clothing manufacturer. Learning how particular styles are cut and sewn is an essential part of the experience. In China, competition in the garment industry is fierce, though organizations which follow strict quality guidelines can gain competition advantage in specific areas of expertise. This can even lead to international exposure and sales, if high quality products are produced. Along with design experience, the position requires basic understanding of terminology related to design and cut of fabric. It also requires increasing knowledge of how various fabrics react or respond to various processes in production, such as cutting and sewing. Practices in equipment and production safety are also required in this position, as the risk of accident or injury is high in this type of working environment, due to the types of machines and equipment used. Introduction Chinese Citizens’ Suit Company, Ltd. designs, manufactures and sells lines of women’s suits and dresses. Based in Shandong Province, the clothing manufacturer sells its products in 600 franchise locations throughout China. With approximately 2000 employees, the company boasts high production and many recent recognition awards. In 2005 the company earned a place in the “Top Ten Suit Industry Influential Brands, Top 100 Garment Industry Company and Textile Industry Production Safety” categories.(grfx.com, translated). Success of the company is due to high quality of products, heavy use of current Technology and strong brand identification. The company has also earned its ISO 9000 Certification and adheres to lean manufacturing practices. The company pays close attention to styles offered throughout Europe and Japan. Traditional styles are produced, along with the most contemporary of fashions. High function is also a requisite for the product lines offered. The garment and clothing industry in China is fiercely competitive, so the achievements attained by the organization indicate a strong desire to please its customers. Report 5.1 The designer in the women’s apparel company uses knowledge of the fashion Industry, creativity and skill in creating unique, stylish lines of clothing. New lines are developed, based on current style trends, practical needs and traditions of Chinese women. Pattern cutting requires an equal amount of skill. If clothing is not cut in a particular manner, the fabric may not flow or produce the desired effect. The process of both tasks involves keeping the original idea in mind. It also requires knowledge of the sewing or manufacturing process. Time is spent in the manufacturing area, learning each step of the process. If the designer is not of Chinese heritage, gaining knowledge of the language and work habits is important as well. 5.2 Duties of the designer include researching style trends, learning how various fabrics under specific conditions, sketching and collaborating with others involved in the process. A thorough understanding of various age and cultural demographics is also required, to design what women will wear. Pattern cutting consists of reading a design, creating a pattern and cutting according to guidelines. A strong understanding of how garments are made is also necessary. A model may be used during and after the design process, so the Pattern cutter must also understand how fabric influences specific sizes and body types. 5.3 The design department of the small women’s suit and dress manufacturer is more intimate. Yet, customs and work habits differ in most Asian countries than in Europe. Meals and breaks offer time for Chinese to practice observation of their spiritual beliefs. Respect for co-workers and other employees is required. Communications may be hindered for those who do not speak the language. Therefore, careful observation and extra effort is needed to work with others effectively. Learning the expectations of others quickly, helps to alleviate any failures in communication. Manufacturers may observe strict regimens and quite a bit of self-motivation. Managers or supervisors require strict adherence to high quality of work and high output of labor. Paying close attention to how others work can minimize miscommunications, which could result in errors that are costly, slow down the manufacturing processes or produce a style that is undesirable. 5.4 The designer and pattern cutter works within the department with little direction, taking advice and requests very seriously. Determination to satisfy the needs of the industry, while keeping manufacturing and other processes in mind is a desirable characteristic. The position requires communications with other departments and with those who possess a great knowledge of fashion trends and traditions. Communications with those who are more experienced in design is also helpful. Having a mentor is most beneficial to the beginning designer. Learning to develop and trust one’s own instinct will also serve well in this position. Previous experience working with customers helps in this position, as basic knowledge of how women dress and why they choose particular styles of suits and dresses helps in the creation of designs. Again, the customer experience allows the designer to understand what women expect from their garments, in terms of function and performance. Women often desire a specific style of dress or suit, based on what they have seen and admired or on what is stylish and comfortable, at the same time. The latter is particularly true for women working with multiple responsibilities or with higher positions in society or in the workplace. The organization prides itself on the use of technology. Therefore, the position requires technology savvy or desire to quickly learn how the technology is used in the organization. This may required spending extra time learning computer programs, mechanized manufacturing processes and how such technology malfunctions. Some ability to troubleshoot technical difficulties is highly desirable, upon learning how the technology works. Some training in use of automated garment manufacturing processes is studied in formal education programs. In the position, the processes may vary slightly from those learned. The foundation is there, the employee must build upon what has been previously learned. Conclusion The beginning designer learns technique from skills acquired in formal education, as well as from watching and receiving training from others. It is more than simply putting ideas on paper. Understanding of geometry helps the designer learn how cuts of fabric work with one another. The designer learns more about shapes and their influences on each other, as patterns are cut and garments are sew. Prior knowledge of various styles a and types of garments that women prefer, enables the beginning designer to create garments more efficiently. The creative process should come more easily, when current trends and styles are identified. However, the designer also must also create garments that are more traditional in style. This requires studying and understanding how traditional styles are worn and why they are in demand. The designer must understand the current market segments for various garments. This can be achieved by working closely with the sales department. Much of the garment and clothing manufacturing in China focuses on sports wear or under garments to be worn in Westernized countries. The designer in a high end manufacturing environment has the ability to influence new styles and create unique products that women will want to buy. “China's impact is already being felt. Its clothing exports have grown to about a quarter of the world total since it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001” (Omni Case). The thought process in designing such garments includes how it will be cut and sewn, costs of fabric, durability and overall practicality. Women will not want to wear suits and dresses to work that wrinkle easily or bunch and gather in the wrong places. Chinese Citizens’ Suit Company, Ltd. adheres to lean manufacturing principles. This practice means that strong relationships are developed with suppliers of raw Materials. Developing such relationships enables the garment manufacturer to produce “high-quality products at savings 15% to 50% below US production cost”(Canellis). All areas of operations within the organization must learn what the best practices are and implement them. This requires cooperation from all workers at all levels of the operation. Cross training of various departments or sections often leads to greater efficiency in the entire production process. All employees must function with the mindset of a team approach. Lean manufacturing focuses on a batch size of one. This requires work cells that are organized by various products or garment types, rather than by the manufacturing process. Under this principle, production rates for each type of garment are determined by the “rate at which customers are buying the product”(Alschuler). All employees must be flexible in output from day to day, following this type of production scheduling. Those who sew garments must work closely with production managers. Designers and cutters must understand how production occurs and at the various rates, based on demand. Recommendations The Chinese garment industry is known for its ability to product high quality Products at low cost. There is little branding or brand identification. In the women’s suit and dress industry, opportunity exists to establish the brand. Chinese Citizens’ Suit Company provides desirable fashions for women in China. However, with different Marketing and design approaches, the organization could create much stronger brand identity. This can be done by keep pace with up to the minute trends in the global market. Marketing efforts should include more research into market trends and brand identification in China and globally. Chinese Citizens’ Suit Company can gain recognition of its product brand names through such efforts. This will, in turn, increase profits and ensure continued growth of the small garment manufacturer. Bibliography Alschuler, D. ‘Ask the Expert,’ reviewed 02 August, 2008 < http:// www.managingautomation.com/maonline/channel/LeanManufacturing/expert> Chinese Citizens’ Suit Company, Ltd., website(translated), reviewed 02 August, 2008, Frost, R, ‘China: Dressed for Success,’ reviewed 03 August, 2008, OmniCase, reviewed 02 August, 2008, 1.Personal and Professional Development Planning 1.4 The student’s name 1.5 Chinese Citizens’ Suit Company, Ltd. 1.6 The start and finish dates of the placement. A. The Learning Experience 1. During my time at the suit company, I learned quite a bit about the process of manufacturing garments for women. Understanding how garments are sewn has allowed me to be more conscious of how well my designs will work and how much effort is required to produce the finished product. I have learned to focus my creative efforts on those that are easily produced, without additional steps in the manufacturing process. As a Pattern Cutter Assistant, I learned how various cuts of fabric are more easily sewn than others. This allows me to be more mindful in the design process as well. It also allows me to create unique and desirable products in a more efficient and timely manner. I have learned more about the differences in styles, from traditional to cutting edge. In order to understand the different styles, I have learned about various cultures and their use of specific garments, such as suits and dresses. Having such knowledge enables me to become more competitive in Producing styles that women will wear. I have gained confidence in my abilities in clothing design. Read More