Business Development Agent Review

Relaxed working environment, sociable colleagues, friendly approachable Managers. Great learning experience, useful skills learned for future employment.

I was welcomed and accpeted by all my peers, Managers and Agents alike. My imput was values and appreciated when asked my opinion about new campaigns, ideas and techniques and I felt i had a place within the teams/company. Though a large company with numerous staff, the upper echelon of staff new me by first name. Relaxed relationships with Senior Managers and Directors.

I didnt always hit the target but was given every opportunity to succeed over various campaigns. Extensive training programme held when i first joined. Coaching sessions were given to agents who requested it and also were provided if Managers felt it necassary. A full time Training Manager was available to approach if we had any questions and needed support.

Due to being in a target driven environment, it was up to the Agent to prioritise his/her own time, due to this, how busy an Agent is on a daily basis is dependent on the work ethic of the individual. I personally found the workload challenging but rewarding and it gave me a good experience in the discipline of time management.

An Agent ultimate responsibility is to hit their personal target, along the way contributing to team and company targets. I was given every opportunity to carry out various other tasks to add value to my placement which were not within the normal job description

I developed skills and disciplines in time management, quality assurance, teamwork, punctuality, interoffice and outside communication skills, technical knowlege and presentations to senior members of staff. These skills are valuable to any student and moving on from university

Warm atmoshere with friendly people. Constant encouragement and support from Managers and colleague, with a positive look on everyday as a new challenge.

Astute had taken on numerous placement students before my time there. The placement scheme was well organised and there was good communication and necessary treatment to my needs as a student. I was given time to do my course research and I had placement reviews monthly to address my issues and needs.

Numerous and necessary training was given as standard induction to all members of staff. As well as this, i was given personal tips by my line Manager and advice from senior and experienced Agents on my team.

All placement are offered a fastrack application process, should they ever choose to pursue a career in the business after graduation. Placements are also given the window for promotion duroing their time at Astute, so they can return at a higher level. Some of the most senior members of staff started out as placements and pay testimony to Astute's excellent re-recruitment methods.

A placement night out was organised for placement students to get to know each other and share ideas. As the most senior placement in my final months i was tasked with heading meetings and gatherings to discuss a more beneficial placement programme for all involved.

Bournemouth is a good area to live with regards to cost efficiency for students. Most enterprises of interest have student discounts and bargains. Transportation and rent is considerably cheaper than those in the big cities e.g London and Manchester.

The Bournemouth nightlife offers a wide variety of social attractions for a small town. Different clubs offer various themes to make visitors feel at home, whatever they may be used to. Bars in the area had different student nights, offering cheaper drinks and a specified crowd. I enjoyed good nights out with Astute work colleagues and am looking forward to visiting Bournemouth to enjoy nights out with them again.

Astute and its employees organised regular sports activities like football, basketball and golf, as a recreational activity outside the work environment. Besides this, the town had various sports centers and social clubs to get one engaged off the work floor. My Astute colleagues were happy to point out the various points of interest to me when i first started, and I managed to find some good activities to take out on the weekends and holidays.