Laura Blackhall Email & Phone Number

Tokyo, Jp

Tokyo, Japan

Hello! Tours specialise in Private and Small Group culturally immersive tours. All of our tours combine ‘must see sights’ with hidden gems and back streets. Our ethos is ‘like-a-local’. Our tours are focused around culture, customs, history and local way of life. Feeling hungry? We’ll get you eating like a local too! We work with individuals on vacation, universities on their educational study tour programmes, and corporations on their conference and incentive packages. All of our tours are centered around cultural immersion, hands-on learning, and authentic connections. Our tours are always FUN!All tours across all locations are designed by myself. All of my staff go through a rigorous application and selection process. I hire people with strong and kind personalities and turn them into exceptional tour guides. All of my guides go through an in-depth in-house training programme and then continue on personal development plans. Every tour that I send out is of the highest quality. This is the very simple secret to our success. www.hellotours.comwww.hellohongkong.com.hk www.hellosingaporertours.com www.hellotokyotours.com

Hong Kong

SThree is a global FTSE 250 recruitment company with 61 offices across 19 countries. SThree is comprised of the following organically grown recruitment brands: Huxley Associates, Progressive, Real Staffing Group, Computer Futures and The IT Job Board. I am responsible for the planning and delivery of SThree's growth across all brands in the APAC region. I report into Justin Hughes, SThree Group MD for APAC and member of the Executive Board.Key responsibilities include:* Project management of the 5-year growth plan for new venture projects in Asia Pacific.* Providing detailed assessments on business opportunities in new geographies.* Competitor analysis and identification & headhunting of key talent in new markets.* Collection of preliminary information for new geographies ensuring potential risks are identified and logged.* Identification of acquisition targets in key geographies and recommendations to the Board. * I work with a cross-functional team based in London comprised of the departmental heads of Legal, Co-Sec, HR, Finance, Property, IS, & Marketing to ensure that the business is fully prepared for set up and delivery in new markets. * I am also responsible for the Project Management of key operational, structural and strategic changes to the business in the Asia Pacific region. I prepare presentations for the Board of Directors and the Exec and work with the Group MD to ensure that all stakeholders are fully informed and involved in decision making. If you would like to find out more about SThree you can contact me at l.blackhall@sthree.com

Contracted to facilitate DesignEvents in the Accelerated Solutions Environment, an innovative workspace designed to help organisations make better, faster business decisions.  Facilitation of clients’ work through involvement in the preparation and presentation of Event knowledge, module design, exercise writing and output production.  The ASE is a fast-paced and intense environment where communication, flexibility and an appetite for ambiguity are essential. Key skills most notably developed have been teamwork, project/process management and the ability to keep a cool head in a high-pressure environment.

Eishin Foods is a crab meat and sushi neta supplier to restaurants and supermarkets in Japan.Contracted for 6 months to undertake a market expansion and establish an International Sales Department for the company. Core focus of work was on rebranding and positioning of products for the European market, development of an export strategy, creation of an international sales department and customer base.  Initiated sales to UK based restaurants including Yo! Sushi (35 store chain). Set up a 2 year (renewable) partnership with a UK based importer and wholesaler.  Generated revenue in excess of 135,000GBP during the period I was with Eishin Foods. Predicted revenue for the first year of international sales is 500,000 GBP plus.  Organised all logistics for the preparation and delivery of products from China to the UK ensuring that all EU regulations were adhered to (labelling, certification, hygiene and health requirements). Visited the factories in China to oversee the production process. Recruited and trained a subsequent intern to staff the international sales department. Key skills developed were cross cultural understanding, patience and persistence. As a foreigner I came across challenges working in the Japanese business environment. I learnt to look at why situations were occurring and not just at what was occurring.“She got the splendid result, even though it was in the different country and culture and new field. She adapted very well in the different culture not only Japan, but also China. She is the one with a powerful personality and has got the leadership through her business. She influenced not only her team but also our company. She has got the high ability and adaptability” Murakami Eiji, CEO Eishin Foods Ltd

International Congress is an annual 11 day long AIESEC event, which constitutes the world's largest educational conference and brings together 700 individuals from over 95 countries. Global Partner management (ABN AMRO, Alcatel, Cadbury Schweppes, DHL, Electrolux, Hewlett-Packard, InBev, Microsoft, PricewaterhouseCoopers, UBS) Accountable for the organisation and execution of all Partner events during the congress and the logistics and customer servicing of all guests. Attention to detail, flexibility and excellent interpersonal skills were vital to ensure client satisfaction.International Team management (9 people) Learnt how to adapt management and team working approaches in order to get the most out of the culturally diverse team.

1 year internship working in Human Resources as a Project Manager reporting to the HR Director for the UK, South Africa and Ireland. Event Production - Put together a management programme to address the issue of Leadership through periods of major organisational and economic change in a bid to deal with low morale and poor organisational climate. Spent two months on the road visiting all UK sites.  Showed an ability to add value to the company. 85% of Managers attending the workshop rated the session as useful to very useful.Internal Systems Design - Design and implementation of a Lotus Notes tool to make work allocation more efficient. Scope of the product expanded due to high quality of design. Monetary bonus and certificate for leadership and outstanding contribution awarded.  The Resource Deployment Tool is now in use and meets all user requirements. HR executives have said it is ‘a vital aid in the new fluid project based organisation’.Additional projects Recruitment – Delivered marketing presentations on the IBM Industrial Placement Scheme at two universities. Displayed effective communication and influencing skills. Applications increased by 19 from the previous year. CV Clinic – Ran CV clinics at IBM sites across the UK as part of the drive to improve employee moral. Showed staff how to effectively present their achievements on paper using quantifiable and qualifiable results.  Appraisals – Realising that there was no system in place I designed and introduced an appraisal scheme for the Trainee population that was congruent with IBM’s formal appraisal programme for regular employees. “Laura is a ‘big thinker’ and is always able to see the bigger picture. She has lots of ideas and this enables her to take on more high level/strategic projects. Laura is a natural Leader” Natalie Mckenzie, HR Executive IBM UK Ltd.

AIESEC is a global youth driven volunteer organisation providing leadership development opportunities and international internshipsThis was a part time position that I undertook in addition to my university studies. Excellent time management was the key to both academic and organisational success. Leadership, Strategic Planning, Sales, Marketing and Project Management Organised and lead a campus wide recruitment campaign. Member applications more than doubled from the previous year and end of year member retention tripled due to clear communication and sustained energy.  Planned and led weekly committee meetings, often in partnership with local businesses. Maintained the financial systems and records for the budget of circa £6,000 and increased closing balance by approx. £1200 through prudent management and generation of sponsorship from Deloitte.  Organised, promoted and executed a Careers Fair on campus that was attended by many top employers and over 1000 students.