Insider profil
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Top Insider Advice
Often people have limitations set by others or sometimes even by themselves that stop them from progressing to that next level both in life and in their career. Self-belief is one of the key stepping stones to building confidence in yourself and your abilities. Imposter syndrome is something most people who enjoy varying levels of success have dealt with at some point or another in their careers. It is important to recognise that this can manifest in many forms, such as doubts about your skill level, not applying for that role even when you meet the requirements or generally not going for the things you want. Once you see that happening, you can start to take the necessary steps to overcome the negative self-talk. Start to engage with people who’ve achieved the type of career success you’re looking for. Surround yourself with positive people who encourage and believe in your success. Apply for that role! You never know what could happen
Career path
Head of Operational Excellence Development
First Central
Started 02/2023 to PresentOperational Excellence Deployment Manager
First Central
From 11/2021 to 01/2023Operational Excellence Delivery Lead
First Central
From 07/2018 to 10/2021Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
A big part of my role involves developing the maturity of key business capabilities. I love collaborating with people from across the business and seeing the evolution of their skills and capabilities aligned with ‘The First Central Way’. Possessing these skills and capabilities is a fundamental lever that will help all our people play a significant role in delivering our strategy. Getting to be a part of someone’s development journey and watching them become a role model for a Continuous Improvement and Growth Mindset is a major source of joy for me. That is why supporting the business and its people to grow and evolve gives me a great feeling of accomplishment.
Greatest achievements
Our approach to change and Continuous Improvement holds people and customers at the centre of everything we do. The success of Operational Excellence relies on communication and respect for people and, one of the best ways to demonstrate that respect, is to work directly with the people closest to the area of focus. Collaboration is key. This approach means that whenever we start an improvement initiative, we look to bring people on that change journey with us. Who better to show us how things really work and how processes could be improved than the people doing the work! This has allowed me to share OpEx skills and knowledge with individuals who have then taken that knowledge and applied it to progress into other roles across the business including roles within the Operational Excellence team. There is nothing better than seeing people who had little to no knowledge of Continuous Improvement and Lean Agile ways of working progressing into new roles and leading the charge in bringing others on that same improvement journey
Jemma R
Talent Manager
Top Insider Advice
I have rarely asked for or applied for promotions during my career, generally feeling I was happy where I was and not wanting loads more responsibility, especially since I lost my 21-month-old daughter in 2015. I wanted to come to work, enjoy it and then go home without any added pressures (plus I hate being interviewed!) I think I have naturally progressed and become involved in other things, specifically over the past 10 years. I’ve done it by working hard, being loyal and putting effort into everything I do. I’ve been lucky that my managers have always recognised my potential and pushed me to progress myself and my career. It’s definitely helped when working for the same company for a number of years! I could probably have progressed a bit quicker if I had pushed for it, but that’s not me and that’s ok. You don’t have to be pushy to get where you want to be; it might just take a little longer.
Paul F
Director of Data and Analytics
Top Insider Advice
My career experience causes me to provide the following advice, which is relevant for opportunities here at First Central: • Build credibility by doing what you say you will • Team spirit trumps all • Seek to understand and don’t judge a book by its cover • Give people space; micro-management is a killer • Be relentless in seeking to understand yourself • Coaching and mentoring are transformational and are amazing gifts you can give to others • Take risks and be brave • Be human, be vulnerable, show emotion to make yourself accessible
Parisa M
Risk & Compliance Governance Manager
Top Insider Advice
Whatever you’re good at, whether it be organisation or leadership or analytics, try your best to draw on those skills within your current role to really showcase what you do well. And not just in your role, look at other roles such as championing or volunteering to provide additional opportunities to really highlight what you are good at. This may then give you the chance to consider where you have improvements to make and think about how that can be achieved through shadowing, mentoring or further education / courses. There are so many opportunities at First Central to shine a light on our talents or improve our weaknesses. Take them!
