Store Manager Review
at Travis Perkins plc
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Customer Service
Sheffield
Review Submitted: December 2021
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Leadership, bringing the team with me on a shared journey to achieve store and company goals. Sales, banking, stock accuracy, stock merchandising and adapting to the changing demands of customers and the company to fulfill those needs.. Customer service and promoting the business to increase sales through great service, great products and great prices. Coaching and mentoring the team to achieve goals. Working to P & L targets.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Immensely. It has been a period of self development, learning and growth. More time needs to be allocated to finish the programme for future learners as we run on a tight schedule of hours and making time at work can often be difficult. The reflective diary needs work but the content of the course and what I personally have got out of it is immense.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Vark, Grow module, demographics and the impact on business. The importance of diversity at work. Maslow, colour profiles, communication skills. Adapting to individuals learning styles to get the best results from them. Self awareness and change in my approach to how I lead ie leadership v manager. Teamwork and how to get the best from people.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The induction seemed a bit haphazard and not very structured and after the meet several of us felt we didn't really know what we were expected to do now. The following meets tho did leave you with a clear idea of what was expected on the next module. My RM has been very supportive and we regularly have meetings and she will give me tasks to help with the current module. Due to Covid all meetings have been remote and not attended by all which I feel is not good enough if you have signed up for an apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
100%. My regional manager is fully supportive of what I am doing and the changes this has led to in my style of management and the running of my store. She is more than happy with the changes in the team and their engagement and the results we are delivering and the difference is there for her to see when she speaks to the team.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
The coach is always available for calls or Google meets and we have access to their calendar so we can see when they are free and send them an invite, which they always accept. They are easy to get in touch with and I've never felt that they weren't there or wouldn't help.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Loads. It has helped me to become a leader, to look at what I'm doing and why and to see the bigger picture and other points of view. It has made me look outside the bubble of running my store and think about how changes the company brings are about futureproofing the company and look at it from their point of view. It has led to me changing the way I work which has led to a huge change in the store environment and the teams engagement and happiness.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
Due to Covid there hasn't been but before that the only thing we had was the managers conference and meetings. Stores will do social activities with their team on birthdays, christmas etc but that is just their team, and a new manager to the company held some charity fundraising sports events. But there are not any professional networking events at store level or many other social activities outside work.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Travis Perkins plc to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The company is trying to make it a great place to work and trying to grow and offer learning and training for its colleagues. They might not always get it right but they acknowledge it and respond. They offer some amazing courses and info through Toolstation Academy, which is sadly under utilized and new blood that can see this and bring in enthusiasm for change and growth and building better teams are what we need. So if I knew someone that could lead a team and look outside their own box and see the bigger picture and adapt to change and growth positively then I would be dragging them in for an interview.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Travis Perkins plc?
Be prepared to grow and learn. The company likes to promote from within and nuture and grow existing talent to reach their full potential. Be able to communicate effectively and not afraid of hard work, this is not a job where you will be sat in an office, stores are fast paced and always have something that needs doing. Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork. You can't do it all on your own, getting the right team is key to success.
