124LON Professional Practice- The Crucial Characteristics

I looked at my peers, took suggestions from them regarding how to address or greet the customers. Since, I did not have any previous experiences, I was not well aware of how to interact with the customers. I have already discussed earlier that team members need to have excellent communication skills, especially the ones of a sales team. One of the responsibilities for a sales team member is to convince the customer for the product (Conrad and Newberry 2012). It should be remembered that customers buy products more because of the benefits rather the features of the project (Grunig 2013).

My seniors have taught me to locate the difference between the benefit and the feature of a product, which had helped me to answer most of the quarries of the customer. Previously I thought of using rich sophisticated language for communicating with the customers, till I found out that many customers having linguistically diverse background are hesitating to approach me. Hence I thought of using simple language, such that it is comprehensible to all.  I made it sure that I deliver such a thing that is unique to me or my firm, which can convince the customer to buy the product. I started using vivid but plain language that is understandable to all.

We are often faced with stubborn or ill mannered customers. One of the essential qualities that a team member should posses is extreme patience (Conrad and Newberry 2012). I have learned to retain patience from my seniors and the other members of team. All my learning had enhanced my skills as an efficient member of my university management team. All the evidences support, my learning to be Auditory and visual, as I have seen and incorporated the qualities in me by seeing my peers. But my field experiences had also helped me in learning how to deal with customers in my future career.

The success of a business depends largely upon the efficacy of management team members (Hauschildt and Konradt 2012). During the next week of my class as a marketing student, I learned how to maintain a complete knowledge regarding the product company and the customers. I have brainstormed through several online sources and have learned about the various leadership models, which had helped me in enhancing my knowledge.

I believe that I have been able to contribute to my team considerably, as managed to meet the sales target or have helped others to achieve the sales target, in order to get recognition as a whole sales team. I had been committed to my teamwork philosophy. For example, I often had to handle multiple sections in the absence of my team members. I have always been flexible and had never thought it to be hampering my sales target as I have always displayed genuine commitment to the team.  

During the next few weeks I have learned to maintain promotional databases by putting invoice and bill back data. I have helped the team by updating the daily action summaries of the team to the managers. I have helped out my team members to resolve issues regarding the promotional allowance, pricing discrepancies and rebate. In the following weeks I have learnt to prepare sales Vs projection results by tracking the daily sales reports. I can efficiently prepare sales presentations by compiling sales data.

High volume retail outlets can be extremely stressful, hence close proximity with the team members for long hours on a regular basis, can reduce the level of stress (Fogel et al. 2012). Close proximity with the team members can be the recipe for conflict, but credit lies in sticking with the team in spite of the differences in opinions.

Self-marketing using LinkedIn profile

Self marketing helps one to improve their images well in advance in the beginning of the career. Self marketing is also known as personal branding as it helps to create the professional image of the person rather the product (McCorkle and McCorkle 2012).

Self marketing assists the candidate to communicate their skills, knowledge and values to the potential employers (Van Dijck 2013). A successful self marketing separates an employee form thousands of other employees, who may be applying for the same job (Van Dijck 2013).  There can be several strategies that can separate the job seeker from the other competitors.

Self marketing through social networking sites can be one of the most effective tools, where the candidate is allowed to build profiles where they can boast about their skills and show off their work samples, highlight their professional skills and build network with the potential employers (McCorkle and McCorkle 2012). Candidates can often get the opportunities to connect with the employers via professional conferences. It should be noted that over the top, flamboyant self promotion can damage one's career. Hence a carefully planned self promotion is required that will bring about the advancement of the career.

There are certain key elements that can be used for the self marketing, such as the use of testimonials, utilizing social media, using of online forums, using personal websites, keywords that best suites the job profile (Van Dijck 2013).

LinkedIn is one of the famous social networks for the professionals. The profile can be used as an effective marketing tool for attracting the potential employers and the decision makers (McCorkle and McCorkle 2012).

There are certain key features that can be followed such as the use of bold headlines that can attract the companies. A strong headline will be able to invite people to read which I am suitable for the job. My headline should reflect my expertise, who has endorsed me, my projects that reflects my success. If I have any publications, that can also be included in the publication section.

I should design my experience section of my LinkedIn profile in an interesting way, such as how I have helped other business teams to tackle the issues. Sharing of case studies can serve as an effective way to promote self marketing. Furthermore, the LinkedIn's professional gallery feature enables one to add videos, slide presentations and other tools of interactions.

Personal development Plan

References

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Conrad, D. and Newberry, R., 2012. Identification and instruction of important business communication skills for graduate business education. Journal of Education for Business, 87(2), pp.112-120.

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