With the world embracing slow travel, SLOW, a B2B tour operator based in Cape Town, South Africa, offers walking tours and hikes that connect travellers to the local culture and scenery. Drawing on 20 years of luxury active travel experience in Africa, SLOW provides all-inclusive day walks and hikes exploring Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, and the city of Cape Town. Our small but focused portfolio of products is guaranteed to enhance any travel itinerary designed for a visit to Cape Town.

Overall Role:I had the privilege of managing the Pick n Pay Retail Client Service Team. This role required me to lead by example by driving constant creative innovation, ensuring all deliverables were met on time and within budget, and establishing an overall outstanding client relationship. I was extremely proud to be an ambassador for King James!Day to Day role:- Solidifying and developing strong relationships with my client.- Influencing and facilitating quality work which consistently exceeds expectations.- Receiving and developing client briefs and in turn briefing the creative team accurately and comprehensively. - Creating a smooth work-flow from studio to client, from supplier to partners, and exercising excellent communication skills throughout the process.- Oversight and implementation of procedures and systems.- Overseeing the management of projects by applying excellent organisation skills.- Demonstrating ‘living the client’s brand’ by working with passion and dedication whilst keeping up-to-date with relevant market trends and competitor activity. - Undertaking administrative activities to ensure accurate billing and up-to-date status reports

For a year I job shared as Regional Sales Manager for the Retail division of Hirt & Carter Cape Town. This role required a consistent growth in sales revenue through planning, execution and management of a sales team which consisted of 5 Sales Executives. I took on this role in whilst remaining a Key Account Manager with a portfolio of clients which included Pick n Pay, The Foschini Group, Truworths, The Busby Group and H&M. Furthermore, I was heavily involved in project trafficking. As the primary client interface, my role was to ensure that client expectations were managed and exceeded throughout the entire production cycle. I have a thorough understanding of the creative and printing processes and managed the entire production process from booking in through to delivery (both in a creative and print production perspective) ensuring deadlines were met and thorough communication is maintained throughout. I also participated in the consultation of creative campaigns and print solutions, and overseeing campaigns throughout the entire production process.

Position: (Owner) Operations ManagerCompany Profile:A home-based creative company set up whilst on sabbatical starting a family.Role:- My role included the ad-hoc day-to-day operations/office administration of running a small business- Client services and account management: Sourcing new clients and maintaining good work relationships. Ensuring quick and efficient service.- Operations: Dealing with clients and suppliers, providing open communication and effective problem resolution.

As owner I was involved in every aspect of the business and prided myself in leading by example and running a very tight ship. We were a close-knit team of six who managed some high profile accounts, and we were all driven by an absolute love and passion for what we did! My experience in this position has proved to be invaluable, as aside from the skills I developed, I learned and cultivated strengths of character which continue to serve me well in all aspects of life.Roles:- Client Services Director: I managed key accounts within the Travel, Education, Charity and NHS sectors, and was fundamental in generating new business opportunities and establishing excellent business relationships with both clients and suppliers. - Creative Director: I was actively involved in writing proposals, creative brain-storming, overseeing design pitch implementation and presenting at directorate level. - Studio Manager: As an efficient, facilitative and inspirational project manager of below-the-line creative campaigns, I gained extensive traffic management experience. “A true leader, a motivator and a great colleague, Ruth has the strength to make tough decisions but the personality to inspire her team to work harder and better. Would I recommend Ruth to a future employer? Without hesitation - you will not be disappointed.” Andrew Bennett, Financial Director – Cherry Communications Ltd

Position: Key Account Manager - NHS (Account & Production Management) In heading up the NHS Sector I managed all accounts with a ‘through-the-line-approach’ setting a precedent in the company for future workflow. I dealt directly with clients but also had a hands-on approach – managing multiple projects throughout the production cycle from creative inception and implementation, print management and delivery. The result of which was that I ended up managing the entire department, making it the most profitable and efficient sector in the company.“[Ruth’s] commitment to her clients and the team she manages is commendable. Her hard work and initiative is an inspiration to the rest of her team, making her a very popular ‘team leader’. She injects her own personality into the work place, making her a pleasure to work with.” Chris Copland, Client Services Director – The Limehouse Group Ltd

New Business and Account Management “[Ruth] is a committed, well balanced and trustworthy person who adds life to her working environment … it will be a challenge to replace her.” David Deeb, Managing Director – Hirt & Carter Ltd

New Business and Account Mabagement“With her outgoing personality and capacity for hard work, Ruth is well suited to a position in sales.” Janet Wilson, Director – Citigate South Africa