Meet our graduates

March 2018

I first joined Motability Operations around 6 months ago having graduated from university in July. Coming from a business background, one of the most appealing factors to joining the scheme was to put my knowledge into practice and engage in an 18 month rotational programme. This opportunity allows me to experience different areas of the business and develop different skillsets which is invaluable to my future progression.

When I arrived in October, we were thrown straight into an intensive induction period which consisted of shadowing different departments within the business over a five week period. Each department gave us a detailed overview of how they operate, along with opportunities to get involved in some real time projects. This was beneficial as it not only allowed us to see how MO functioned on a wider scale, but gave us an idea about which department may be of interest for future placements.

Having only worked here for a short amount of time it is clear to see the immense value put on employees within the business, with endless opportunities and support given to you from the start. Graduates are each assigned a Sponsor (Director), a Mentor (Head of Function) and Buddy (previous graduate) who are there to guide you through your time at the company and address any concerns you may have. This exposure has been pivotal to my success so far on the programme.

I am now nearing the end of my first placement within Asset Risk and Pricing. Having not had any previous experience within data analysis and forecasting, it is a role that has pushed me out of my comfort zone, but one that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

My role within the department is as a Vehicle Risk Analyst, with a main focus to accurately forecast the residual value of our vehicles at the end the 3 year lease. Overlaying this, the role has had a specific focus on analysing our “policy” – or the factors affecting the car industry – such as the demonisation of diesel and driverless cars. Personally, I have found this particularly interesting as it has given me a wider insight into the current and future impacts to the industry. Combining the two, the role has allowed me to develop personally and professionally, from learning skills in Excel to delivering numerous presentations to senior managers.

Looking forward, I am starting to dedicate more of my time within the Market Risk team in order to understand our underlying processes on a deeper scale, as well as beginning to think about future placements.

March 2018

I am currently 5 months into my first placement in the Programme Management Office within Business Systems. The PMO team is responsible for maintaining standards for project management, and they ensure that every programme and project under our IT Portfolio is run in line with the MO project delivery framework and governance controls. As part of my role in the PMO team I have provided PMO support for three of our major IT programmes.

The main focus of my placement however has been the coordination of the Business Case for the Pricing Programme. This has been a great activity for me to get involved in as it has enabled me to engage with key stakeholders from across the business, and has given me a personal project to manage and organise.

During my placement I have been able to get involved in other pieces of related work alongside my PMO responsibilities; this has been great for my development. For example, I have been working with the Project Manager for Pricing to support the initial discovery phase of the project. I have also been involved in coordinating the procurement activities on behalf of the Pricing Project Team and supporting the work of the IT Contracts Coordinator. My time with Motability Operations has been great so far. My role has definitely challenged me, and I feel as though I have progressed so much already in the 5 months I have been working here. The great thing about MO is that it is really high-performing and commercial minded, but there is also such a supportive and friendly atmosphere. There is definitely a strong sense of team felt across the business. This has been great for me as a new employee and has definitely helped me to develop and grow professionally.
 

March 2018

After reading about the graduate programme on Milkround I quickly sent in my application and started my journey through the application process. What I found appealing was being able to move around the business on three, six month placements. My main advice for this is to do your research on the company and its values as well as being honest and personable in your answers.

Shortly after receiving the good news that I was chosen as a new graduate, we were invited to a welcome day a few months before our official start. This was a really great day as it prepared us for the next steps. It was also the first time us new graduates were able to meet each other.
Our first five weeks consisted of quite an intense induction of the entire company. This was really useful as it gave us a good grounding and understanding of the business as a whole. One of my favourite parts was listening to some of the calls in our contact centres as it highlighted how important the scheme is to our customers.

Everyone we met was incredibly welcoming and happy to help with anything we needed. It was clear from the beginning that there is a huge amount of support not only from buddies, mentors and sponsors, but from everyone in the company. No question is a silly question and you will find you will have lots throughout.

I am still on my first placement which is based within the Marketing Team. Having a degree in Modern History and International Relations, I didn’t feel like I had a huge amount of experience. But, what’s great about being on this graduate scheme is that you are given the opportunity to widen your experiences and learn new things. The team was also incredibly welcoming and has given me a huge amount of support and help throughout my entire placement.

Usually within your placements you are given a project to work on and be accountable for. This isn’t as scary as it sounds because there is a lot of support to make sure you deliver the best outcome you can. My project is promoting and launching the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain. We worked closely with Rough Guides to develop a guide consisting of reviews of great days out for people with access needs. To deliver this I have been involved with a range of different things, from proofreading the guide, working with our PR agency on press releases and social media campaigns, getting involved with creating the new website pages for the guide and working on digital advertisements. I even got to meet Chris Packham as he is the spokesperson for the latest edition when we created a film with him to promote how useful the guide can be.
 

August 2017

Since my last blog post I have completed my placement in the Customer Services department in Bristol. It was a great first placement – enabling me to understand some of our key processes, but also giving me an insight into just how customer centric we are as an organisation.

I have now spent three months in my second placement, where I am working in the Asset Risk team in London. Moving to the London office has been an excellent opportunity, as it has allowed me to meet and build a network with people working in different business areas. My specific role is as a Vehicle Risk Analyst, where alongside a team of other analysts I am responsible for accurately and efficiently forecasting and reforecasting resale values and maintenance costs throughout a vehicle's lifecycle. The role is substantially different to my first placement and has pushed me out of my comfort zone and enabled me to develop new skills, for instance in data handling, analysis and modelling. These have been acquired through on-the-job learning and support, as well as through attending an offsite training course. It’s been a steep learning curve but one which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

Alongside my forecasting work, I’ve presented to senior management in internal meetings while I’ve also been involved in a project to develop a Policy Review Group and embed it into the team’s everyday processes. This is an important internal meeting for the team, which helps to develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of key developments in the new and used car markets and consequently decide whether we need to adjust our outlook. The group’s outputs feed into other working groups and ultimately our forecasting process. In addition to this, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend manufacturer events and industry conferences. These have helped to give me a very well-rounded view of some of the big issues currently faced by the automotive industry and some of the exciting challenges and opportunities Motability Operations will face in the coming years.
 

January 2017

I first heard about the Motability Operations graduate programme through Target Jobs. The opportunity to experience various facets of the business through six month rotational placements was particularly appealing and so I sent an application. Shortly afterwards I was invited for a telephone interview, which tested my knowledge of the company and its customer value proposition, in addition to some competency-based questions. Following this I was invited to an assessment centre. This was certainly challenging, involving a group exercise, individual presentation, networking lunch session and an extended interview. While these experiences always carry some degree of stress, the atmosphere was really welcoming. People genuinely want you to do your best so come prepared and you’ll put yourself in the best position to succeed. Should you be successful, you will have a final interview with a director and Head of Function. This is really about finding out how well you’d fit with the Motability Operations culture. The exposure to senior figures in the organisation throughout the recruitment process translates to the graduate programme itself. Each graduate is assigned a dedicated sponsor (director), mentor (Head of Function) and buddy (previous or current graduate). Having those connections is invaluable. As they span the company’s organisational structure, it means that whatever concerns may arise during your time on the scheme there should always be someone to discuss them with.

Upon commencing the graduate scheme in October, all graduates go through a rigorous induction programme. This is a unique chance to gain a thorough understanding of how the business operates and what the links between different departments are. Throughout the five week period, myself and the other graduates spent time with nearly every team within the organisation. Sometimes we were set tasks, for instance a presentation on the internal and external challenges faced by a particular department in the current economic climate. Other times we were able to shadow different individuals across the business and see what their role entails. In addition to this, the induction programme also included several workshops. One of these was the Disability Confidence workshop, which certainly helped to improve my understanding of the broad and diverse nature of our customer base. There were also workshops on assertiveness and presentation skills, that have helped to refine these skills and increase my confidence in applying them in a professional environment.

I have recently commenced my first placement where I am performing an end-to-end review of a number of key business processes and helping to identify the ways in which these can be improved from both a customer and business perspective. Although I am primarily based within the Customer Services department, the fact I am reviewing these processes holistically has meant that I am frequently liaising with key stakeholders in other departments across the business. This has enabled me to build my network and generate relationships with people at all levels of the company right from day one. As there is considerable emphasis on the graduate intake sourcing their future placements themselves, this has been a great opportunity. 
 

August 2017

My first placement as Business Briefings Co-ordinator in Dealer Relations came to an end in May. This role offered a great introduction to our relationship with the Dealer network, something that is so integral to our business. The opportunity to help facilitate a series of Business Briefings to over 3,500 dealers, manufacturers and scheme partners was invaluable, and one that I relished. In addition, I also helped deliver a set of ‘Dealer Workshops’, and a ‘Qualitative Feedback Programme’ amongst other projects. Overall, the project offered real responsibilities and ownership, and offered the opportunity to develop my skills in project, stakeholder and people management.

I am now three months into my second placement as a Business Analyst in Business Systems, helping deliver a new project via Agile methodologies. I decided to pursue a placement in this area because I wanted to experience a more technical and specialised role with a view to engage in an area that was thus far relatively unknown to me – and this is exactly what I got. The shift towards working ‘Agile’ and learning about the core competencies of a BA has entailed a steep learning curve, but one that has been enjoyable and fantastic for my development. From running User Acceptance Testing, to requirement elicitation and running workshops, this role has again offered a variety of great opportunities for development but situated within a more technical arena. Going forward, I am looking forward to getting involved with the scrum teams and learning about requirement engineering.

Aside from the day-to-day, I also supported one of the ‘One Big Days’ in Exeter. These events offer existing and potential customers the opportunity to learn more about the scheme and answer any questions they may have. On a personal level, meeting and talking to eligible customers offered some invaluable perspective on the impact the scheme has.

January 2017

Although it feels like much less, I have now been at Motability Operations for nearly three months. The extensive five week induction programme, plus the Welcome Day, built a fantastic foundation for my time here thus far.

During the Welcome Day we met our mentors, fellow graduates and the last year’s graduate intake, which was a great way to be introduced to the business before the official start date. The induction entailed spending time in the various parts of the business, affording us with an invaluable holistic view of the business. This induction programme varied from classroom learning, to shadowing, to presenting, and to being set tasks; overall, the varied nature of the induction kept it enjoyable yet informative. And going forward into my first role the value of this induction has become consolidated even more so, as I know why I’m doing certain tasks.

My first role as the Business Briefings Coordinator has definitely required me to hit the ground running. Whilst in this role I have helped coordinate a series of briefings that the Company arranges for car dealers around the U.K, requiring me to work with external partners, dealers and plenty of my colleagues from around the business. From the very first day I have had real responsibilities, and people relying on me, and it’s really good to see a company that has that level of trust in its’ employees from the very start. In addition, the fact that we are being given guidance and mentoring by Directors and Heads of Function really underlines this trust that the company places in you.

Combined with this independence is support and guidance in equal measures however, which has allowed me to forge my own development path. Whereas my mentor and sponsor concentrate on specific personal development points, my line manager offers support and day-to-day guidance that is again very valuable.

Ultimately, it’s been a fast-moving and busy few months, but also a thoroughly enjoyable start to my career at MO. 

May 2018

In March I finished my final placement as Change Programme Co-ordinator within Customer Services, and have since returned to the role of Business Analyst – the role I undertook in my second placement. My final placement entailed working closely with senior stakeholders and ensuring the Programme was delivered to plan. This gave me a fantastic insight into how decisions are made at a senior level, and how meticulous the decision making process is. As the project was within Customer Services, it also offered very valuable exposure to the pressures of a department that is at the heart of our business.

As the placement drew to a close, I was delighted to secure my current role as a Business Analyst. Eighteen months ago I never would have guessed that I would enjoy working in Business Systems as a Business Analyst – in fact I knew very little about the role at that point. However, my second placement exposed me to a role that was not only challenging and varied, but also thoroughly enjoyable. I decided to join this Graduate Programme in particular because it offered the autonomy for me to forge my own path and find what I wanted to do long-term; and I have definitely reaped the benefits of this autonomy.

Despite the fact I have now moved on from the Graduate Programme, it has been great to know that my sponsor and mentor are both as keen as I am to continue our relationship. During the graduate scheme, their erudite and insightful advice has been invaluable and definitely helped me define what exactly I want to do for a long-term career. Going forward, I’m sure the benefits of joining via the Graduate Programme will be enduring.
 

December 2015

On successfully joining Motability Operations, on the 1st October 2015, the graduates and I had a one-month induction of the company. This involved visiting every department within the business across both London and Bristol, including visits to three dealerships and an auction and obtaining a thorough overview of each area. We also visited Motability the charity, which enhanced our understanding of their role and provided us with an insight into the relationships between the two organisations.

Overall, this was a fantastic opportunity to gain insight and exposure to both Motability and Motability Operations, whilst also meeting new individuals and network building. One of first things I noticed about Motability Operations is the culture and how friendly, driven and supportive everyone is, so my advice to any new starter is to make the most of the experience and ask lots of questions.

My first placement is within Dealer Services as a MI Analyst. My role involves improving efficiency, performance and compliance of key Dealer Services and processes, as well as supporting my department with daily reporting. This has provided me with the opportunity to network with key stakeholders and senior managers across the business, allowing me to build relationships and gain expose, whilst also developing new skills both professionally and personally.

I’ve definitely had to hit the ground running, but I am already enjoying the challenges and responsibility my placement has to offer and I am looking forward to presenting my findings to my Head of Function and department managers. The team has also already been incredibly supportive - along with my line manager, mentor, sponsor and buddy.

I have also had the opportunity to take calls for the BBC Children in Need telethon, which was a fantastic evening to be a part of and allowed me to meet many different individuals throughout the business. I am also looking forward to being a part of the mycommunity panel, which supports and encourages employees with volunteering and fundraising for our communities.

August 2016

The first 6 months of the graduate programme are now complete and at the beginning of May I embarked on my second placement in Finance as a Financial Planning and Overheads Analyst, which has been both challenging and highly rewarding.

My placement started at the end of our third financial quarter and at the beginning of our Annual Operating Plan (AOP), which provides the latest cost estimates for this financial year, the expected cost estimates for next year and forecasts the high-level estimates for the future.

I‘ve taken an active role in supporting and pulling together our AOP and quarterly reforecasts, as well as producing all the organisational charts for all the cost centres within the organisation for 2016/2017. This has involved attending the Sub Divisional and Divisional roadshows for both Business Risk and Insurance and meeting with all the cost centre managers. I have also been assigned a project to produce a high-level document for a non-executive audience to explain the financial planning process.

Further on in my placement, I will work within each team in Finance across both the London and Bristol offices, including Treasury and Financial Reporting and Tax Management to learn their processes and practices, which will be an invaluable experience.

I’ve also had the opportunity to volunteer at a One Big Day event in Exeter. The event provides customers’ with the opportunity to view and test drive a range of vehicles and have their questions answered by Motability, Motability Operations and our scheme partners. These events are a great opportunity to meet and understand our customers’ needs and situations and appreciate how important the scheme is to our customers’ lives.
 

December 2015

Before the programme began, there was a half day induction over the summer when I got to meet the other graduates on the programme, my mentor and some of the HR team. It was a friendly and informative session which really helped to prepare and relax me ahead of my first day. The first month was an induction; we had meetings with every department and got a thorough overview of the business and its workings. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet people from all over the business and start building a network. It is a lot of information but everyone was very welcoming and my advice would be to make lots of notes but mainly just to enjoy the experience, get involved and ask any questions you have.

My first placement is within the Connect Team in Vehicle Remarketing, selling the used Motability cars back into the market at the end of their lease and also assisting to streamline the claims process, for when dealers are unhappy with the condition a car has arrived with them in. I previously worked in customer service and have no real sales experience so I’ve had to adapt significantly to the highly targeted, sales driven, business to business environment. The department have been very welcoming and supportive and despite only being a few weeks in, it’s amazing how much you learn. You need take ownership of your own progress and throw yourself out of your comfort zone and into the work – it’s a challenge but the days fly by and I’m enjoying every one of them.

As a general recommendation, take every opportunity to meet people from other departments and get yourself involved in as much as possible. If you get the chance to man the phone lines for Children in Need it is a great night – there is a really simple process for taking the donations and the atmosphere in the office is great, with this year’s highlights including morris dancing and freshly made candyfloss.

What advice would you give to candidates going through the application process?
The recruitment process is going to stretch you – you meet Heads of Function and Directors from an early stage so the high level exposure is brilliant but you will be pushed and challenged all the way. From my experience, it’s very important to be yourself and back yourself. Be prepared but bear in mind that your qualifications have got you that far, the recruitment process is about demonstrating what you’re made of, what you can do and why Motability Operations is the right place for you.

August 2016

My first placement within the Online Sales team in our Vehicle Remarketing department finished in May 2016. I learned a huge amount about what happens to the vehicles once they have finished their life on the scheme, how important it is to efficiently release the cars back into the market and the impact if this doesn’t happen. It was a fantastic experience working in a business to business environment in a large department, which included managing a portfolio of dealers and selling vehicles on an everyday basis, going out on dealer visits with our field team, interacting with our internal marketing team and getting involved in external projects to improve our service and offering.

Since May, I have been working in the Customer Services Communication team in the Communication, Development and Insight Department. The team is responsible for our internal knowledge management tool ‘Ask Mo’, updating several department’s internal intranet pages and centrally distributing information and updates throughout the Commercial Division. The role is a great mix of people and communication skills alongside technical knowledge and I get to speak to people from all over the business every day.

Additionally, I have a project looking at internal call drivers. Throughout this, I’ve been able to work on my leadership skills, prioritising work and stakeholders effectively, as well as managing expectations and working to timescales. Running a project can be demanding but gives you the opportunity to have a real impact on the business and take full responsibility for your own success and development.

Outside of the day to day role, I have also taken part in a recruitment evening for new Contact Centre Advisors. I had the opportunity to interview a candidate, observe the group activity and provide feedback on their performance. It was really interesting to see the recruitment process from an internal perspective and great experience to work on my recruitment skills.

Working for Motability Operations is hard work but also good fun and the Company take every opportunity to engage its’ employees. A few weeks ago I went to the summer barbecue for the Contact Centre; we have quarterly challenges between the Communication, Development & Insight Teams and have also had a department quiz night. There are so many opportunities to get involved both within and outside of work and my advice would be to get stuck in and enjoy it – I know I am!

 

September 2015

At the beginning of June I started my second placement in the Dealer Communications and Training Team within the Dealer Services department based at the Bristol office. I am now half way through this placement and I am constantly learning new things about this area of the business.

During this placement I have been involved in various projects across the team. This has given me the opportunity to effectively manage my priorities and time. These projects have ranged from supporting the team deliver a new e- Learning Management System for the Powered Wheelchair and Scooter (PWS) Dealers to carrying out a complete refresh of one of the systems we use to help support these dealers. As part of refreshing this system I have had to go out to the business and learn the whole process that a PWS Dealer goes through with a customer; from application to product collection. This has given me a great insight into how the dealers operate on our scheme.

Being a graduate within Dealer Services gives you a wonderful opportunity to get out and meet some of our dealers. Since starting this placement I have had the opportunity to go out with one of the PWS Account Managers on their visits to dealers on the scheme. During these visits the account managers discuss how the dealer is performing and also it is a chance for the dealer to ask any questions or raise any issues they may have. It was great to see the dealers interacting with our customers and to listen to their thoughts and opinions about the scheme.

Last month I volunteered at the Motability One Big Day event in Exeter. These events happen every year across the country and are free for our customers to attend. The event is a chance for customers to come along and see a large range of our vehicles, powered wheelchairs, scooters and adaptations on display, as well as taking test drives and questioning our advisors. I was placed on the reception area at the event and greeted customers as they arrived and explained to them how the event worked. It was a fantastic day and I really enjoyed getting out and meeting our customers and seeing how much they value the scheme.
 

March 2015

The past six months have flown by and I am now coming to the end of my first placement on the Apollo Project in Business Systems. I have learnt so much in this first six months and am excited about what the rest of the programme holds.

Within my role, I have worked with many people across the company, introducing them to our new IT system and making sure that they are ready to receive system training. Although this has been a challenge, it has also been a great opportunity to meet lots of people across many departments in the business and develop various different skills. My team in Business Systems has helped me deliver this project by being highly supportive and approachable, which is something that you will find throughout the company in the Motability Operations culture.

In addition to my main role I have also taken on responsibility for delivering some of the Apollo Project communications. For example, I've put together presentations for various different groups and wrote slides for part of the Company Performance Report.

As part of the Graduate Programme you get the opportunity to present to the company CEO and one of the directors. This is a great opportunity and gives high level exposure that you do not receive on many other graduate programmes. This year’s intake has just completed their first presentation of this type. The presentation involved giving an update on each of our placements and also talking about a current topic. It was a great experience and one that I am sure none of us will forget for a while!

From June I will be joining Dealer services for my second placement in which I will be working with the PWSS dealers. I am excited to start a new challenge in another department and build on everything that I have learnt from Business Systems.
 

November 2014

After joining Motability Operations on October 1, myself and the two other graduates I started with embarked on a month long induction to the company. During this month we've visited every department in the business across both London and Bristol sites and gained valuable insight into every aspect of the business. We met many different people including members of senior management. The whole experience really emphasised the unique culture that is held by every employee here at Motability Operations. Everyone strives for excellence, works hard and is very supportive.

The time that we spent with each department varied, with some departments giving presentations to us and others setting us challenges as a group. When we were spending time with Customer Services, we had the opportunity to listen in to calls that were being taken. This was particularly useful as we were able to see the kinds of issues people were calling in with and hear what the customers want from us as a business.

As part of the induction month we got to visit Motability the charity in Harlow. It was really interesting to see the work they do and learn about the foundations of Motability Operations. The day gave us real insight into how the relationship works between Motability and Motability Operations. It was also an excellent opportunity to meet employees from the charity.

The induction month gave us all a really solid foundation of knowledge and relationships to move onto our first placements. I am currently into my first week working with the Business Implementation Team on the Apollo Project. My role here will be to set up and run Business Familiarisation Sessions for people to try out the new IT system that is being introduced. I have greatly enjoyed my first few days here and have received so much support with the work I am doing.

My advice for anyone that is taking part in the induction month would be to ask as many questions as you can, really take the opportunity to meet as many people as possible and enjoy it!

 

March 2015

Back in October I completed my Finance placement and have since transitioned into my final role on the Graduate Scheme. My time in Finance was a valuable and enjoyable experience which helped me to learn the intricacies of how a Finance department operates and is managed. This was achieved by a varied role that included: project management, development of company reports, involvement with financial and strategic planning as well as the unique opportunity to sit with each team across Bristol and London to find out in detail their processes and practices. Moving on to my current role, I have been lucky enough to be involved in two placements. One of these has been in Specialised Mobility Operations (SMO) and the other in the Facilities team.

I was welcomed to SMO with an immensely useful and in-depth introduction, which included an invitation to a dealer roadshow. The roadshow, presented by the SMO team, gave dealers an opportunity to ask any questions or queries surrounding new Scheme changes. This was a great experience not only to learn more about the Scheme but also to listen to the opinions and experiences of the dealer network. Project management has been an interesting and challenging theme throughout my time on the Graduate Scheme and is something that has continued within SMO. Amongst other tasks, the main two projects I have been working on have helped to benefit the department and develop my skills.

Within the Facilities placement, my main role has involved analysing current processes and suggesting potential improvements within the department. At present, I am working closely with the team to help implement changes the team and I have suggested. This has been a great project to be involved in as any process alterations within Facilities can be felt throughout the company.

Managing projects between two placements has been a rewarding challenge that has exposed me to diverse areas of the business. It has enabled me to develop further on both a professional and personal basis as responsibility increases.

August 2014

As mentioned in my previous blog, I have been working in Finance for the past 4 months. During the placement, I have been involved in various aspects of Finance including; strategic planning, analysis of financial planning and control as well as developing company reports for MO, Directors and external stakeholders.

Whilst working on Strategic planning, my primary role was to pull together and help create a companywide presentation that would be presented in-front of all Directors. In addition to this, I was invited to the Directors Day at an offsite location to observe the presentation and take any actions that came from discussions. This was a fantastic experience to network with the Directors and to see how debates and decisions are made at this level.

So far in my Finance role I have been assigned two projects. Firstly, I have recently been assigned a project to analyse, gather requirements, suggest improvements and implement a new file structure within the department. This is a great opportunity to work with all the managers in Finance to produce a benefit to everyone involved within Finance. Over the next month I will be working with each team in Finance to learn their processes and practices and be actively involved within each team, helping to perform day to day tasks.

Another project I have been working on is to help deliver a matrix for dealer account managers. The matrix has involved complex formulas and macros which previously I had little/ no knowledge of previously. Through the guidance and support of the team, I have been able to help develop the matrix and move the project forward.

MO recently went through a data retention initiative with the main aim of MO being compliant within set standards. After research and discussing best practices with the business, I delivered a hints and tips guide alongside the initiative which was then distributed to the company for employees to reference.

April 2014

It only seems like yesterday I was writing my last blog, six months have flown by. My placement within Business Systems is coming to an end, along with the projects that have been assigned to me.

Alongside project work, I am currently the secretary for two Owners Groups. Through my secretarial duties I have gained knowledge of how Management, Heads of Functions and Directors make key decisions that affect Motability Operations and Business Systems. Although challenging, this role grants me a high level of exposure to management, which I would highly recommend to all graduates.

As mentioned in my previous blog, I have been the project manager for sourcing and implementing a new time tracking solution within Business Systems. This has given me the opportunity to experience managing a project from start to finish and provide Business Systems with an improved time tracking solution. Once implemented, Business Systems will be able to log time against projects they are working on.

I have been helping to review company compliance and data retention periods within the organisation. My main role within this project was to create an employee friendly guide which outlined best practices, ensuring that each user remains compliant with the formal data retention policy.

Another project I have been working on is project managing a large Business Systems desk move. Across three floors, I helped to analyse, plan and implement over 85 desk moves which included moving IT equipment.

Next month I will be joining Finance for my second placement which I am truly looking forward to. I am very grateful to Business Systems for making my first placement so enjoyable and for challenging me every step of the way.
 

October 2013

After a thorough induction and training, I am currently on my third week in the Portfolio Management team within the Business Systems department at Motability Operations. At present, I am working on my first project within Business Systems, which is to replace a legacy time tracking tool used to capture time management statistics. I am finding this project both interesting and challenging.

So, enough about what I am doing now, how did I get here?

My journey with Motability Operations started with completing the online application form. The aim of the application questions is for the organisation to gain a further understanding of your personality, key skills and experiences. I would recommend any new applicants to research the company’s core values and apply them to your own key skills and experiences, demonstrating these with real life examples.

If your written application is successful, the next stage of the process is an invitation to participate in a one-to-one telephone interview. From a personal perspective, I did not know what to expect, as this was my first telephone interview and was naturally nervous. However, almost immediately, my nerves were put at ease after a quick introduction by the interviewer who explained the structure and keys points regarding the telephone interview. My advice for this would be to thoroughly research the organisation, structure, company values and highlight any recent events/key articles that could have an impact on any areas of the business.

If successful with the telephone interview, the next stage of the recruitment process is to attend the Motability Operations assessment centre in either London or Bristol. Similar to the telephone interview, this was my first experience of an assessment centre. There are three aspects: a presentation, a group exercise and an interview. I would advise anyone who has got to this stage to ask your questions during the introductory session, as after this the day is very fast paced. I would also suggest that you try to meet as many people as you can during the assessment day.

If successful, the last stage of the recruitment process is to attend a final interview with two Motability Operations senior leaders (often linked to your field of interest) in London or Bristol. It is important during the final interview to demonstrate your knowledge of the field you would like to enter and where you see yourself progressing to in the future.

Best of luck with your application!
 

January 2014

I am now in my final placement on the graduate programme, and rather uncommonly, I have remained within the Vehicle Remarketing department where I completed my second placement. My current role is as the mfldirect Online Customer Sales Team Manager, and includes overseeing a team of sales executives who sell Motability Scheme vehicles that have reached the end of the customer lease back into the motor trade.

One of the key aspects of managing a sales team is the tracking of individual performance. We work in a very target driven environment and I am now responsible for the performance of both myself and my team. The online sales area has been tasked with year on year growth over the coming twelve months. This means that in addition to the people and performance management aspects of the role, I have also been heavily involved with the production of marketing campaigns and the implementation of process changes to engage more effectively with our dealer base.

Something that I have particularly enjoyed as part of this placement is my responsibility for recruitment. I have liaised with external agencies, conducted multiple interviews and hosted assessment centres for prospective candidates. It is crucial to find people that are capable of fulfilling the requirements of the role and fitting culturally with the values of Motability Operations.

Stepping into my new role has been a real challenge. I have been faced with unfamiliar situations and instances where my decisions can directly influence the team around me and the direction of the department. Whilst this can be very demanding at times, it has accelerated my personal development over the past four months and I appreciate the leadership opportunity that I have been presented with. I have received invaluable guidance from my current line manager and ongoing support from the rest of the management team across the department.
 

May 2013

It's been a while since my last blog and a lot has taken place over the past few months. I have handed over my project on the corporate website and moved on from my first placement in the Marketing department. Before departing, I ensured a comprehensive round-up of everything that I had achieved and I left the website in a position where it could be passed to the development team for the technical build to be initiated. 

Over the six month placement I played a vital role in gathering requirements, compiling the content, updating the brand guidelines, liaising with stakeholders and establishing the final designs for the new look site. I developed both professionally and personally along the way, picking up skills that will be invaluable for my career at Motability Operations. I hope to see the finished website in a few months and I am looking forward to seeing the reaction from other business areas that have not been as heavily involved in the design. 

On 7 May I commenced my second placement in Vehicle Remarketing (VRM) working in the Forecasting and Development Team. The thing that has surprised me most going into my new role is how heavily data driven the department is. Over the coming months I will be developing a reporting tool to assist in the planning and sales strategy for VRM and our online sales channel. I expect this to be a real challenge as analytics is unfamiliar territory and it will push me outside of my comfort zone. 

I have been handed a lot of responsibility from the off and I must manage my own time as a lot of emphasis has been placed upon my individual development. I'm sure that this will prove to be another steep learning curve but I have no doubt I will take a lot from this project.

November 2012

I am four weeks into my first placement in the Marketing department, working within the Digital Marketing team. The Digital team are focused upon improving the delivery and content of all web based material and my first project is to undertake a complete overhaul of the Motability Operations corporate website (on which you are currently reading this blog).

Having the corporate website as my first project is brilliant. It requires me to liaise with key stakeholders across the business, allowing me to build relationships and gain exposure to areas of the company that I otherwise may not have had much contact with. In addition to this I have to communicate and work with external suppliers for both the development and design of the website. In my first week I was given a comprehensive overview of the project along with a task to critique the newly launched customer website. This has since allowed me to compile some of the main business needs for the new website, and over the coming weeks I will be hosting workshops with other departments to present my thoughts and gather their specific requirements.

The technical aspects of the project have proved to be a steep learning curve and I expect this to continue over the coming months. There are many new terminologies and unfamiliar processes that I need to understand for this placement, but the support I have received to help with my development has been exemplary. I feel comfortable questioning complex aspects of the project and both my line manager, and the team around me, are supportive and willing to share their knowledge. 

The multifaceted nature of my first placement is what excites me the most. It poses new challenges that will require me to build upon my existing skill set. In addition, the Marketing department have been very welcoming which has made the transition into my new role a smooth process.

Quickfire question: if you could give one piece of advice to an applicant before the telephone interview, what would it be?

Try to pre-empt what questions may be asked and prepare for them as thoroughly as possible. Ensure that you are able to give comprehensive evidence based answers, and be prepared to elaborate so that the interviewer does not have to probe for further information.

February 2014

Having finished my second placement as a Pricing Analyst, I started a placement in Customer Services at the beginning of November, in which I led a project to review the annual leave policy and create a mutually beneficial proposal for 175 advisors and the management team. This gave me plenty of opportunity to work with a number of people at various levels in the largest area of the company, as well as building my confidence leading a project.

From the beginning of the Graduate Programme, I had wanted to work in Pricing, so when the Pricing Analysis Manager role became available, I was pleased to be offered the opportunity to return to Pricing in London for my first management role with MO. This role will continue until the end of the Graduate Programme in April, at which time I will move into a permanent role.

My development through the Graduate Programme has been guided by my Sponsor and Mentor, and despite coming to the end of the 18 months, the support has remained excellent. Having worked in both the Bristol and London offices, I’ve also met a number of people across the business who’ve given me great support and advice from their different viewpoints in the business.

The Graduate Programme has provided me with the support, guidance and opportunities to better myself and start my career with strong foundations, in a role and department which – having had the opportunity to experience the area before - I want to be a part of.

September 2013

Since starting the Graduate Programme a year ago, I’ve completed a placement on the Insurance Project in Bristol and am now finishing up my second placement in Pricing in London. I will be moving back to Bristol for my third and final placement at the beginning of November.

These three placements will have allowed me to gain a broad range of experience. The Insurance placement focused on a large scale project. I had a business as usual job in Pricing which included some smaller scale projects. In November, I am due to start a management role in Customer Services. As such, I am confident that by the end of the Graduate Programme I will have gained the experience and contacts across the business to move into a permanent role for a new challenge.

In the past year, I’ve also been involved in a number of committees and owners' groups, both within my placement and the wider business. This provided a breadth of experience which would be difficult to achieve outside of such a well structured Graduate Programme.

Throughout the Graduate Programme I have had monthly meetings to check in with my Sponsor and Mentor, both of whom have opened doors when required to ensure that I have been well equipped to make the most of the Graduate Programme. They have also been happy to give advice on potential final roles.

May 2013

At the beginning of May I started my second placement in Vehicle Pricing, having completed my first six-month placement on the Insurance project. My first six months were in Bristol, but I’ve now moved to the London office, which was thankfully stress-free!

My placement as a Pricing Analyst involves both project and ‘business as usual’ elements. Given that my first placement was a 100% project role, this placement will give me opportunity to utilise the skills which I’ve learned over the last six months, as well as developing my skills in a business as usual environment.

In addition to my new role, I’ve been able to continue some responsibility from my first placement, allowing me to own an element of the insurance project from planning stage right through to implementation, and complete my first ‘major’ piece of work in my career.

I’ve now been with Motability Operations for eight - very quick - months, in which I’ve learned a lot, met a lot of great people, and have achieved a lot to be proud of. I have 10 more months and another placement until I’ve completed the Graduate Programme. I have no doubt that they will fly by.

January 2013

Since the last blog entry, I have started my first placement on Project Artemis. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the amount of accountability I’ve been given from day one, while still getting the support of my manager and colleagues. I have my own assignments within the broader project, and have had the opportunity to present my findings and progress in several meetings, including to the Finance Director. My main assignment currently is the development of an insurance premium pricing calculation, demanding input not only from my colleagues at Motability Operations, but also from the finance team at RSA insurance.

The nature of my placement means I am in meetings often with the executive team, which is brilliant exposure to the senior managers at Motability Operations, particularly considering I am just three months into my career.

Although my placement is based in Bristol, I’m in London at least once each week, which has allowed me to meet the teams at each office, as well as getting a feel for the London office for when I get a placement based there.

Before the Christmas break, we went to both the Bristol and London Christmas parties, which were really good nights, and were also a chance to meet colleagues outside of the office, allowing us to get to know our teams on a more social level.

Recently we have started looking into our next placements, in preparation for a move at the end of April.

Quickfire question: How has having a buddy helped you?

As somebody straight out of university, having a ‘buddy’ has been invaluable. A ‘buddy’ provides access to somebody with a year’s experience and knowledge of the Graduate Programme on a more informal level, for some of the questions which don’t warrant running by my mentor or sponsor. Right from day one, my ‘buddy’ was offering useful tips about life at Motability Operations, from how to prepare for meetings to general business etiquette. Overall, having a ‘buddy’ has made my transition into life at Motability Operations far more comfortable and has taught me things that otherwise, I would likely have had to learn ‘the hard way.’

October 2012

Since joining Motability Operations at the beginning of October, I have taken part in a really thorough induction programme. It has been invaluable, not only because it has given me a much better understanding of the company and its processes but also because it has helped me piece together the many different areas and really understand where I will fit in during my first placement. The induction programme has allowed me to meet people in both London and Bristol, including many members of senior management and it has quickly become apparent just how friendly and happy to help everybody at Motability Operations is. 

As part of the induction programme, I have also taken part in a Disability Confidence workshop. It was useful to get a better understanding of the way we think about and treat our customers. Another highlight of the induction programme has been a Communication and Assertiveness workshop. This full day course helped me get a better understanding of the learning and working styles that get the best out of myself and my fellow graduates. I am in no doubt that I will use the skills I developed in this session throughout the programme and later in my career. 

Although I have not been here long, I have already realised just how much value Motability Operations place on high performance and ensuring that every department across the business provides the best possible service. This realisation has made me even more excited to start my first placement, which will be on Project Artemis (an insurance project). I will be based in Bristol but will be travelling to London on a frequent basis to attend key project meetings, which will be a great opportunity for me to work with a number of people from across both sites. 

Quickfire question: why did you apply to Motability Operations? 

Having worked at a Motability accredited dealership during my time at university, I had seen first hand the level of customer satisfaction that Motability Operations could provide to its customers, and thought it would be a great company to work for. In addition to this, I wanted to work in the automotive industry, in which Motability Operations is a key player. After looking further into the Graduate Programme, I discovered it had won a ‘best place to work’ award in 2008, and the rotational placements offered meant that I could get a feel for different aspects of the company before selecting my chosen area at the end of the Graduate Programme, ensuring that I will end up in a career I truly enjoy.

March 2014

Looking back at the past 18 months I can see that I’ve been on an incredible journey. I’m writing from my third and final placement within Customer Solutions where I am supporting the management team in implementing strategy and responding to changing business demands. I’ve been entrusted with a number of real responsibilities, from recruitment and interviewing, to planning out and scheduling major projects. Of all my varied roles, this is one of my favourites as it encompasses my flair for building relationships and is ever-changing, providing me with constant new challenges.

Given that this is my last blog, it seems only fitting that I look back on the Graduate Scheme as a whole. In the space of just 18 months I have learnt so much, I can honestly say that I am a different person now. I’ve developed a far sounder business knowledge and am comfortable in my judgment in making decisions. I understand the importance of strategy within business and will always plan with sustainability in mind. On a personal note, the constant support offered to me has given me more confidence in my abilities and left me far more assertive. Most importantly though, I’ve learnt that the success of a business lies with its people; investment in relationships is key to achieving your goals and I’ve been most fortunate to build friendships and contacts with some amazing people.

To any of you reading this and wondering whether or not you ought to apply, do it. The Scheme has given me so much, not only in the immediate sense, but for the future – it’s given me the foundations for a long standing, successful career.
 

October 2013

Incredibly it’s been a year since I started on the Graduate Programme and in that time I’ve experienced and learned so much. I’ve just completed my second placement in Marketing and cannot believe the amount of business knowledge and practical skills that this has equipped me with. Within Marketing, I was trusted from the start with the great responsibility of managing marketing and communications for Motability’s Powered Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme. This was a very busy role, comprised of working with a number of different people internally to produce literature and communications for both the customer and dealer network. This was a huge challenge, working to deadlines and making important decisions, but it gave me scope to develop and learn on my feet and this was exactly what I had been looking for. One of the most rewarding elements of working at Motability Operations is the people that you work with and yet again, I was immersed into such a friendly and supportive team – and this really helped me to thrive and gave me the confidence I needed to take action and establish myself in the role.

Support itself is something that is the foundation of the Graduate Programme; throughout my placements I’ve had constant access to advice and feedback from my mentor and sponsor. This feedback has been essential to my overall development and has offered some real perspective on my choice of career path.The trust and responsibility I have been given has made this a most rewarding year. The skill set and lessons I have learned will stay with me throughout my career and I’ll always look back at this time fondly. In terms of special highlights, I think I’d have to mention the friendship I have secured with the other graduates and in particular the countless support offered to me by my buddy.
 

November 2012

It is almost impossible for me to comprehend that I have been in my first graduate placement since 31 October, indeed it feels as if I have been here as an appreciated member of the team for far longer, but I guess it goes to prove the old saying that, ‘time flies when you’re having fun’. The induction period made me feel more excited about the opportunity I’d been given at Motability Operations, so by the time my first day in Dealer Services came around I was very eager to get started.

I cannot quite do it justice with just words, but the culture at Motability Operations is like nowhere else. From the moment I stepped into the Bristol office everyone was friendly and accommodating, so much so that I soon forgot I was a relative newcomer. I was given plenty of time to take in my environment and meet all of my colleagues and had a fantastic and clear explanation of my role for the next six months. What really made me feel appreciated was just how much trust the company had invested in me. From my first day I was able to pro-actively achieve my own targets and take on real responsibilities; it was clear that I was making a valid and respected contribution. I have since attended senior management meetings and governance committees and I am frequently asked to input my opinions. This has greatly improved my understanding of the business as a whole and allowed me to meet many new people.

This month I also had the opportunity to take calls for Children In Need. This was a truly wonderful evening and allowed me to meet lots of different people around the business.

To conclude, I honestly could not ask for me from my current team, line manager, placement or Motability Operations. These past few weeks have far exceeded my expectations and I cannot wait to continue in the future.

Quickfire question: if you could give one piece of advice to an applicant before the assessment centre, what would it be?

The assessment centre is your day to shine and win a place on the Graduate Programme. Make the most of it by fully researching both the company and its values.

Most importantly though, be yourself. I wouldn’t suggest not being nervous as I understand that this is impossible on days like an assessment centre, but please let me assure you of one thing, everyone you will meet on the day wants to see the best of you. I would encourage anyone attending these days to be fully prepared, as calm as they can be and to give it their all.