Core Skills & Experience

The big question!!

 

Why employ a previously self-employed individual? 

A previously self-employed individual brings numerous advantages to an organisation. Managing a business as an owner-manager demands a highly motivated and self-reliant mentality. This experience has honed a broad skill set, encompassing problem-solving, decision-making, and financial management. Business operation necessitates quick adaptation to new challenges and seizing opportunities. Furthermore, expertise in commercial relationships is invaluable, particularly in customer-facing roles. An entrepreneurial mindset often drives innovation and a proactive approach to projects. Additionally, I appreciate the importance of resourcefulness, flexibility, and efficiency, having frequently operated with constrained resources.

 

 

Product Sourcing Specialist

 

Negotiation Skills - Contract Negotiation: Ability to negotiate terms, pricing, and conditions with suppliers to secure suitable commercial agreements - Conflict Resolution: Handling disputes and finding amicable solutions. Analytical Skills - Market Analysis -Understanding market trends, supply chain dynamics, and pricing models -Data Analysis - Interpreting data to make informed sourcing decisions and optimize procurement strategies. Communication Skills - Conveying requirements and expectations to suppliers and internal stakeholders.-Drafting clear and concise reports, emails, and contract documents. Project Management - Planning and Organisation -  Managing sourcing projects, setting timelines, and ensuring milestones are met. Risk Management - Identifying potential risks in the supply chain and developing mitigation strategies. Financial Acumen -Budget Management -  Understanding and managing budgets related to procurement activities. Cost-Benefit Analysis -Evaluating the financial implications of sourcing decisions. Relationship Management- Supplier Relationship Management - Building and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers -Cross-functional collaboration - Working effectively with other departments such as logistics, quality assurance, and product development.Technical Skills - Product Knowledge deep understanding of the products being sourced and their technical specifications. Problem-Solving Skills Analysing problems, identifying root causes, and developing effective solutions -Adaptability Adjusting strategies in response to changing market conditions or supply chain disruptions. Quality Assurance -Quality Control -  Ensuring that sourced products meet the required standards and specifications - Supplier Audits -Conduct regular audits to assess supplier performance and compliance - Compliance and Ethical Standards - Regulatory Compliance - Ensuring all sourcing activities comply with relevant laws and regulations - Ethical Sourcing - Promoting ethical practices and sustainability in the supply chain. Strategic Thinking - Long-Term Planning - Developing sourcing strategies that align with the company's long-term goals - Innovation - Identifying new sourcing opportunities and innovative approaches to procurement - Global Sourcing Knowledge - Cultural Awareness Understanding and respecting cultural differences when dealing with international suppliers - Logistics and Import/Export - Knowledge of global logistics, tariffs, and customs regulations.

 

Product Development

Project Management - Planning and Scheduling:-Ability to create detailed project plans, timelines, and schedules- Risk Management- Identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies -Resource Management - Allocating and managing resources effectively to ensure project success - Budget Management - Overseeing the budget and ensuring that the project stays within financial constraints. Product Lifecycle Management -Concept Development - Market Research - Conducting and interpreting market research to inform product development -Prototyping and Testing-Overseeing the creation and testing of prototypes to refine product features and functionality - Launch and Post-Launch - Managing the product launch and gathering feedback for continuous improvementv-Technical Expertise - Industry Knowledge -  Deep understanding of the industry and technical aspects of the products being developed -Problem-Solving - Ability to address technical challenges and find innovative solutions - Leadership and Team Management-Team Building - Assembling and nurturing a skilled product development team - Motivation and Engagement -  Keeping the team motivated and engaged throughout the development process- Conflict Resolution - Addressing and resolving conflicts within the team - Performance Management -  Setting performance goals and providing feedback to team members - Communication Skills -Stakeholder Communication - Effectively communicating with stakeholders, including executives, clients, and team members. - Documentation Creating clear and comprehensive documentation for product specifications, plans, and reports -Presentation Skills -  Presenting ideas, progress, and results to various audiences -Strategic Thinking - Defining the product vision and aligning it with the company's strategic goals - Market Analysis - Analysing market trends and competitive landscapes to inform product strategy- Customer Focus - Understanding customer needs and incorporating feedback into product development - Innovation and Creativity - Creative Thinking - Encouraging innovative ideas and creative problem-solving -  Trend Spotting Identifying and leveraging emerging trends and technologies.

 

Category Management

Conducting market research to understand consumer behaviour - Market trends, and competitor activities.- Analysing sales data and market insights to make informed decisions about product categories. - Developing and implementing category strategies that align with the company's goals- Overseeing the product lifecycle, from development to discontinuation - Ensuring that products meet quality standards and customer expectations- Building and maintaining relationships with suppliers and vendors.- Negotiating contracts, prices, and terms to secure advantageous commercial outcomes- Managing budgets and forecasts for the product category.- Developing pricing strategies  - Inventory levels to meet customer demand without overstocking- Collaborating with marketing teams to develop promotional campaigns -Working effectively with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, finance, and operations- Communicating category plans - performance updates to stakeholders.

 

Digital Marketing

 

SEO - Ability to optimise content for search engines (SEO).Proficiency in managing paid search campaigns (SEM)- Content Marketing -Strong content creation skills (writing, editing, video production). Ability to develop and execute content strategies -Knowledge of content management systems. Social Media Management:Experience with major social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, etc.) -Skills in social media strategy development and execution -Proficiency in social media analytics and tools. Email Marketing: Knowledge of email marketing platforms (MailChimp etc) - Skills in creating and managing email campaigns -Understanding of email analytics and metrics. Data Analysis -Strong analytical skills to interpret digital marketing data. Proficiency in tools like Google Analytics -Ability to use data to drive decision-making and strategy adjustments. PPC and Paid Advertising - Experience in managing pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaigns.Knowledge of platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads -Skills in budget management and ROI analysis. Project Management- -Strong organisational and project management skills.Ability to manage multiple campaigns and projects simultaneously. Communication Skills -Excellent written and verbal communication skills -Ability to communicate strategies and results to stakeholders -Strong interpersonal skills for team collaboration. Creative Thinking- Ability to generate innovative ideas for campaigns -Skills in visual content creation (graphic design, video editing) -Understanding of brand identity and consistency.Customer Experience- Skills in user experience (UX) and customer journey mapping -Ability to create personalised marketing experienc -Knowledge of customer feedback and survey tools. Adaptability and Continuous Learning- Ability to stay updated with the latest digital marketing trends and technologies -Willingness to continuously learn and adapt to changes in the digital landscape.

 

 

 

Business Development

 

Strategic Thinking and Planning - Market Analysis - Ability to conduct thorough market research and analysis to identify potential business opportunities and threats -Strategic Planning - Developing and implementing long-term business strategies to achieve organisational goals on an international level and Negotiation - Sales expertise - Proficiency in sales techniques and processes, including lead generation, pitching, and closing deals within the UK & Internationally -Negotiation Skills Strong negotiation skills to secure favourable terms and agreements with clients and partners - Communication & Relationship Building Interpersonal Skills - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders.- Networking Ability to effectively network and build a robust professional network to facilitate business growth- Financial Acumen -Budget Management - Understanding of budgeting and financial planning to manage resources efficiently - Financial Analysis -Ability to analyse financial statements and reports to make informed business decisions -  Brand Development -Marketing Strategies -Knowledge of marketing principles and strategies to promote products or services effectively - Brand Building - Skills in enhancing the brand image and reputation of the organisation - Problem Solving and Decision Making -Analytical Skills - Strong analytical skills to assess situations, identify problems, and devise effective solutions -Decision Making- Ability to make informed and timely decisions to drive business success- Leadership and Team Management - Leadership skills to motivate and guide team members toward achieving business goals -Project Management - Project Planning -Skills in planning, executing, and managing projects to ensure timely and successful completion -Resource Allocation - Efficient allocation and management of resources to maximise productivity and outcomes. Adaptability and Learning- Ability to adapt to changing market conditions and business environments - Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends and best practices.

 

Business Start Up

Entrepreneurial Skills -Vision and Strategic Thinking -  The ability to envision the future of the business and set strategic goals - Risk Management - Understanding and mitigating risks associated with starting and running a business - Innovation - Constantly seeking new ideas and solutions to stay ahead in the market - Business Management Skills - Operational Management -  Overseeing daily operations to ensure efficiency and productivity -Financial Management -Managing finances, including budgeting, accounting, and financial planning - Project Management - Planning, executing, and overseeing projects to ensure they meet objectives and deadlines -Leadership and People Skills -Inspiring and guiding a team towards achieving business goals -Team Building and Management Recruiting, training, and managing a team effectively - Communication - Clear and effective communication with stakeholders, employees, and customers - Marketing and Sales Skills - Market Analysis -  Understanding the market landscape, customer needs, and competition - Sales Strategy - Developing and implementing effective sales strategies to drive revenue - Branding - Building a strong brand and marketing it effectively through various channels - Technical and Digital Skills Technology utilisation - Leveraging technology to improve business operations and customer experience - Digital Marketing - Using digital platforms and tools for marketing, including social media, SEO, and email marketing - Data Analysis - Analysing data to make informed business decisions - Legal and Regulatory Skills. - Compliance -Understanding and complying with relevant laws and regulations - Contract Management Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts with clients, suppliers, and partners - Intellectual Property Management - Protecting the business's intellectual property, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights - Networking and Relationship Building - Building and maintaining relationships with industry contacts, investors, and mentors - Partnership Development Creating strategic partnerships that can help grow the business - Problem-Solving and Adaptability-Identifying issues and developing solutions quickly and effectively - Adaptability - Being flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and new challenges - Customer Focus -  Providing excellent customer service to build loyalty and repeat business - Customer Feedback -Actively seeking and incorporating customer feedback to improve products and services -Time Management and Organisation -Effectively prioritising tasks and managing time to meet deadlines- Keeping business operations and documentation well-organised.

 

Consultancy

Analytical Skills - Ability to gather, interpret, and use data to make informed decisions -Proficiency in identifying problems and developing solutions - Capability to conduct detailed business analysis, market research, and financial analysis - Problem-Solving Skills- Strong aptitude for identifying root causes of issues and creating strategic solutions - Creativity in developing innovative approaches to business challenges -Ability to anticipate potential problems and devise contingency plans - Communication Skills - Excellent written and verbal communication to convey ideas clearly and effectively - Strong presentation skills to share findings and recommendations with stakeholders - Active listening to understand client needs and feedback accurately - Interpersonal Skills - Ability to build and maintain relationships with clients and team members -Persuasion and negotiation skills to influence decisions and drive change -Empathy and understanding to manage client expectations and concerns - Project Management Skills -Capability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines - Proficiency in planning, organising, and overseeing project execution - Strong attention to detail to ensure all aspects of a project are completed accurately - Strategic Thinking - Ability to think long-term and develop strategic plans that align with business goals - Insight into market trends and how they affect business strategies - Capability to integrate various business functions (e.g., marketing, finance, operations) into a cohesive strategy - Adaptability and Flexibility -Willingness to adapt to changing business environments and client needs - Ability to work in diverse industries and adjust strategies accordingly - Openness to continuous learning and professional development - Financial Acumen
- Understanding of financial principles, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting - Ability to assess the financial health of a business and recommend improvements -  Knowledge of cost management and efficiency optimisation - Leadership and Teamwork
-Strong leadership skills to guide teams and manage client engagements - Ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.