The position of web editor at O&C has enabled me to focus more on my web skills. Much of the daily work involves retouching stills from video sources and writing high quality text copy to update three of their biggest subscription based sites. Whilst there I have been given the opportunity to redesign a number of their existing sites leading to an immediate increase in sales. I also helped develop their affiliate system, which required me to learn a specific template driven system and to work within its limitations. I have attended courses on e-marketing and SEO which have given me increased skills in these core areas. Working with the marketing team I have created short, medium and long term plans to improve the company’s natural SEO ranking and also implemented PPC campaigns.

My partner took on a large seafront bar and restaurant in Brighton which gave me the opportunity to use my existing skills whilst allowing me to learn new ones in the hospitality industry. I created all of their marketing materials, menus, promotional videos as well as managing their accounts system (Xero) and bookkeeping. I had to learn and administer an EPOS system including producing reports. Part of my role included annual risk assessments and organisation of their participation in the street festival part of Brighton Pride - an event attended by up to 500,000 people. I also learned the basics of cellar management and food hygiene / allergy compliance. It took me out of my comfort zone but taught me much in terms of dealing with other organisations such as the licensing police as well as the general public en mass.

I was invited to come and work for the Millivres Prowler Group (MPG) to help develop one of their on-line mail-order businesses. I refined procedures and identified ways of cutting costs and increasing efficiency, eventually handing over daily running to an assistant. I built the business up from £8-9K per month, to an average of £16K through marketing both on and off line. During my time with MPG, my role changed to include marketing and a variety of design jobs. This included overseeing the production of catalogues - from conception through to design and print. I was latterly promoted to brand manager,overseeing the running and development of the two biggest of their mail-order services.

I began working at Joy to develop their e-commerce system. At the same my design skills came in to play in producing a wide range of publicity material from flyers and postcards, adverts, in-store signage and posters to vinyl window stickers. With a varied market from young and trendy to mature and traditional, my designs had to reflect this – requiring me to create specifically targeted designs.

I started working for Field Fisher Waterhouse as a second-line support engineer and was promoted to the manager of the help-desk within 6 months. As well as providing direct support, I also oversaw the day-to-day running of the help-desk.

My initial term with Millivres Prowler saw me start in a basic administrative role then, as my skills developed, I moved into the role of Internet Development - building the company’s first web presence.