We caught up with Zoe G, Assistant Branch Manager in our Scotland and Northern Ireland operations. Here’s what she told us about her career at Enterprise:
“I studied International Business Management with Marketing at Heriot-Watt University and then went on to the University of St Andrews to complete a Masters in Marketing. I had heard about Enterprise through a couple of university friends who completed an internship during their studies.
After completing my higher education, I was unsure what sector of business I wanted to work in. I was really interested and passionate about a career in management and when I was looking at job prospects I found Enterprise’s Graduate Management Training Programme. The graduate scheme stood out to me because it allowed you to work in all different aspects of the business, from customer service and sales to marketing and finance, and it had a clear career path that allowed you to progress a lot quicker than the average graduate scheme available and that really attracted me to the role.
I started my career in the Edinburgh City Centre branch as a management trainee. I was then rotated to Edinburgh Airport before passing the graduate programme, within 8 months, and was promoted to Management Assistant. A couple of months later I was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager of Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, one of the largest train station branches. Within a year of graduating, I had experienced many of our different business models and the constant training and development meant that I understood the different management techniques needed to ensure each location was successful.
I was surprised about how many different types of training opportunities were on offer, not only to learn new skills but to also enhance already existing ones. From the get-go, we had online training, on the job training and development folders which were compiled from our own projects for self-learning. Now that I am an Assistant Branch Manager, I do regular training to keep my skills and knowledge up to date in all aspects of the business.
I help run the internal women network for the East of Scotland, helping the women in the area network with one another, discuss the biases that women face and equip them with the correct tools they need to maximise success in their careers. My involvement means I get the opportunity to run events, speak on careers panels and join careers fairs, all which have all helped me enhance my communication and presentation skills. I consider myself really lucky that I work in a job where I really do learn something new every day.
‘Enterprise is a fun and friendly place to work where teamwork rules’; this is one of the company’s founding values. Alongside customer service, teamwork is a part of the foundation for our branch, and company, success. All the teams which I have been a part of within Enterprise have had a great culture of teamwork, where we have fun in our day-to-day job roles, with each other and our customers. For instance, we run competitions within our branches and our areas, have team-building training sessions and days out for employees who obtain excellent service and sales standards. As a manager, I always want to give back to my employees, which I am lucky enough to be able to do not just in the form of incentives, but I am able to take them out and celebrate our successes as a team.
What sets Enterprise apart from other employers is the fantastic support network which surrounds us. I am fortunate to have two great mentors, who work in two different aspects of the business and have been able to give me help and guidance throughout my career. I have also had great role models in branch managers and area managers who have greatly helped me in the milestones I have achieved. Enterprise frequently has training and networking events which have allowed me to meet and create a support network in many different areas across Scotland and Northern Ireland. I have built relationships with people in all different job roles across Enterprise. There is always someone to turn to for help, advice or even just a chat.
Communication is a really important skill to have as, not only am I communicating to my ever-growing team about day-to-day activities, but also about their careers, projects and goals. I also need to be able to clearly communicate to my managers and other employees who work in different departments of the business as they are all vital to the success of our branch as well. Organisational skills and multitasking are both skills I needed throughout university, and are also imperative when managing a business, but also in the early stages as you will be working on day-to-day activities, multiple projects and training all at one time.
My advice to others? Venture outside of your comfort zone, you will get so many opportunities to do this within Enterprise. All of which will help you in the success of your career, expand your knowledge and skill set and allow you to meet and network with new people.”
Join Enterprise on our Graduate Programme, and become one of the new generation helping us write the next chapter of our success story.