Joe Arnold

• In November 2020 I commenced a new role at Bradnams Windows & Doors Melbourne Branch. Bradnams operate nationwide with a large customer base. My role entailed a lot more than I expected and I encountered unexpected challenges, however, I am thankful for these as I feel facing them has facilitated my significant growth within my role. I have recently moved from the sales side of the business to the service department as someone with a well rounded knowledge of the business was required to help get things behind the scenes back on track. I was approached by senior management in regards to this role and after some further discussion decided to accept. My current responsibilities include:
• Developed effective improvement plans in alignment with goals and specifications.
• Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
• Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
• Managed and coordinated service teams to achieve successful completion of service projects.

I have been at Bradnams and experienced both positive and negative aspects of business performance. For example, at one stage our lead time exceeded 16 weeks (it usually sits around 3 or 4). I assisted in addressing this by taking on the role of delivery truck driver and demonstrating a can-do attitude and a willingness to help out wherever I am required. This was obviously a challenging period for all, from disgruntled customers to not having enough staff within the business. All these issues stemmed from covid and staffing issues which not uncommonly, definitely took its toll on the business.

Many of Bradnams staff elected to seek employment elsewhere when the pressure was on, however, I have persisted in performing my role with pride whilst seeking to assist growing the business. From all of my experience at Bradnams, I can confidently state that I have become a more resilient, driven, reliable and positive employee.

I have formed many lifelong friendships with co-workers and the environment Bradnams creates has a major influence on why I love working there. I often spend much of my time outside of work with of work with my colleagues. I understand the importance of a happy and positive work environment on the performance of staff.

I acknowledge the support and opportunities Bradnams have given me, enabling me to grow and develop not only as an employee but also personally.

I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity afforded to me when I was flown to Brisbane to undertake the Dale Carnegie Immersion Course.

I have also been able to attend private corporate suits at events such as the AFL with customers to help grow the relationship they have with my team and the business.

I now know many customers not only on a professional level but also a personal level and feel that I offer relatable skills with customers that can further benefit Bradnams.

My confidence has increased since being at Bradnams and feel like I have always represented the company with professionalism and service excellence.

I ensure that I am available and approachable for anyone within our organisation who may need assistance in any way I can.

From May 2019 to November 2020, I was employed at Fusion Hire & Sales (FHS) in Seaford, Victoria where I was a sales representative. Some of my main responsibilities included:

• Taking customer orders and quoting up custom fabrication jobs in the polyethylene pipe industry, sometimes being jobs worth over $100,000
• Negotiated contracts with clients and developed relationships with key personnel.
• Used customer insights to develop innovative sales strategies to increase sales.
• Retained excellent client satisfaction ratings through outstanding service delivery.
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends for informed decision-making during client interactions.

This is a very precise industry with attention to detail and exacting standards required.

Whilst I had no experience in this field before hand, I was offered the role with the chance to learn from the beginning and grow into it.

This understandably was a bit of risk for the company due to fact there is a lot to learn in this field and it often doesn’t work out for new staff with no experience.

I am glad to say I was able to learn quickly due to having a good mentor who was very knowledgeable and supportive whilst myself having a good work ethic. I was always wanting to learn new skills and information that would help me, and I feel up until this point, I have done a good job of that.

My skills that have developed at FHS included, communication skills (via phone and face to face), time management skills, problem solving skills, team skills, self-confidence and ability to learn from criticism. Unfortunately, due to Covid 19 and industry shutdowns relating to this I was made redundant and moved onto Bradnams Windows & Doors.

In late October of 2018 I was offered a role as an administrative assistant at CBS Blinds in Carrum Downs.

The company manufactures blinds for building companies around Australia. My main duties included:

• Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
• Processed customer orders accurately and within agreed timeframes to meet service standards.
• Supported executive staff through scheduling meetings, coordinating travel arrangements, and preparing crucial documents.
• Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail.

In a work environment that was completely new to me I was understandably a little nervous at first. I quickly learnt my part of the role which was to deal with customer enquiries and handle quite a substantial amount of data entry.

I got along with everyone that worked there and thoroughly enjoyed going to work there every day.

Unfortunately, due to my job being able to be performed by new software and other staff I was only employed there until the end of March 2019. Whilst it was only a short role, I know that I was able to take a lot away from this experience and it will be something I look back on with great memories.

Between June and August 2018 I undertook the Camp America program.

It was always a dream of mine to travel to the USA and to be able to work there for 2 - 3 months and also travel as well was a great opportunity for me.

I worked at Indian and Forest Acres camps in a town called Fryeburg in Maine.

I was hired as a general counsellor and a tennis coach where my main responsibilities were included:

• Monitored participation in recreational activities to provide assistance to participants.
• Offered guidance on proper technique to inexperienced campers, building their confidence in participating in various sports activities.
• Provided feedback and guidance to program participants regarding progress and development.
• Led groups of children safely through variety of camp activities.
• Supervised groups of children in log cabins for sleepaway camp.
• Assisted with meal preparations and clean-ups to maintain clean and organized camp environment and keep campers well-fed.
• Maintained an orderly and safe environment by enforcing camp rules and guidelines consistently across all age groups.

This wasn’t like an ordinary job where you come to work every day, this was different because I lived in camp and was generally on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I was given a core group of 7-year-old boys to look after and be a role model for.

During activities that ran throughout the day I was working on the tennis courts whilst my boys went off to various activities.

I worked with a range of age groups ranging from 7-16. Duties included general supervision, planning activities, running activities, being a role model, teaching tennis and many, many more.

I was previously currently employed as a front-end team member at Woolworths Somerville. My main duties included:

• Operated register system to process new purchases, item returns, and merchandise exchanges.
• Performed cash, card and check transactions to complete customer purchases.
• Mentored new team members on sales software system operation.
• Processed refunds and exchanges in accordance with company policy.
• Processed credit card, EBT, and gift certificate payments with electronic computer system.
• Checked ID for age-restricted items to prevent sales of alcohol or tobacco products to ineligible customers.

I believe the role has helped me develop many skills in the retail industry.

Woolworths has a strong view on customer service and in the retail industry it is one of the most important aspects of the job and I developed strong team skills whilst working there.

Throughout my teenage years I worked on and off at my fathers workplace performing various tasks. I usually worked there on the school holidays in my spare time to help where required. Whilst this was technically a hired position I was paid for my services and consider this to be my entry into the workforce.

My father was (since retired) the operations manager at DTA Australia who specialise in tiling, tools, accessories and floor trims.

I was working in the warehouse section of the company picking orders, packing orders and dealing with couriers coming in to pick up orders etc. I was also in the office helping out with various tasks as required.