Deputy manager Review

I manage a staff of 20 people. I can be working with between 1 and 10 of these at anyone time. I deligate and share tasks. I coach and support the team. This keeps the store legal, presentable and safe for staff and customers.

I enjoyed the conferences. The thing I found most interesting was seeing other individuals attitudes to our company and individuals they work with. I found the sessions on 'will v skill' and 'staff learning styles' useful. Some of the exercises were a bit drama school, by this I mean sterotyping what kind of car a person would buy based on what character style we perceived them to be.

I found having numerous tutors quit frustrating. I found communication poor. A tutor would quit and tasks would not be marked or new ones set. This led to a sudden glut of work late on. Different tutors wanted assignments done in different ways. A new tutor would not know what a previous one had set. One tutor would accept WhatsApp pictures as evidence whilst mine would expect a written assignment. My journal entries were not read and my tutor admitted that (I started reading the mark scheme myself and doing my own projects to fit) and I felt I was doing research just for my own benifit. I found having lunch not provided suddenly at a venue where we found this out a couple of hours before lunch unacceptable. I am diabetic and get anxious if I do not know when a lunch break will be/if I have time to find and purchase a suitable lunch. My laptop not showing up for some students for several months put us behind. Lack of clarity around 'clarity' the travel booking system and the fact my tickets needed posting as my station is rural meant I funded all my own transport except 3 lectures.

The college running it has a high turnaround of tutors. I found my latest tutor would give me incorrect information regarding what assignments were needed for assessment and is slow to respond to emails and messages. Not setting any tasks in January suited the tutors but often that is Retail quiet time so this did not suit the students. The structure is erratic and the support for the end point assement vague and a long time after any time with a tutor. It is frustrating to me that students who put in little effort may be spoon-fed by a supportive tutor and get as good a grade as someone who has worked hard with little supervision and support.

My store manager felt the course would be more structured to teach someone how to run a store. I realise it is about teaching leadership and positive behaviours. My store manager leaves me to get on with it. He has supported me in spending time asking my tutors how I am getting on and helping escalate issues.

I found I got more accurate information via my company's apprentice admin than from the college. I found Harts links to utube infuriating. An example of this was how to make a PowerPoint. Why not put on an actual session for those who needed it. I found links to websites they gave you to find your learning styles would require you to sign up to spam emails. I found it hit and miss with how useful a tutor was.

I found the learning/teaching styles really useful. I found the stress busting workshop really helpful and it refreshing to hear that we need to make time to get away from work. Also the importance of eating correctly and getting a meal break. Work and home life need a balance.

No. My work does not have any clubs. We are encouraged to get involved in the company's local causes as this is good for brand image. Occasionally there are networking events but with limited spaces. It is hard to organise activities such as a team building event or Christmas meal as staff from another store give to cover.

Yes

Brand ethics are good. Supervisor and high contract ctm (normal staff member) allows a decent home life balance and fair pay. As soon as you gain a salary the responsibility and extra hours you have to put in mean you have to be very dedicated and motivated. Low hour contracts are not right for everyone.

Make a list of things you are not willing to give up and stick to them. Do not give up dance class or chess or whatever. Make some time for family and friends because you can be potentially working anytime of day or night on no fixed pattern. Do not let your health suffer. Ask for help if you need it. Lots of co ops look out for each other and staff look out for each other.