The past 2 weeks have been hectic and unfortunately, my study has been the victim of my time scarcity. On Monday, a day out from census, I had to withdraw from economics so now I am only doing 1 unit this terms, which feels very under-achieving. My somewhat poor planning in the lead up to the start of term caused to fail a little too far behind. I worry now I have been able to catch up in the week off but I did not want to risk academic and financial punishment is I had of failed after census date.

My assessment is coming along nicely, with only sections to finish off and some proofreading. I have to give 3 students feedback on their assessments, though for some reason I am procrastinating on… I am not sure why, it is a fairly simple task.

I only just noticed that I hadn’t posted for week 3 and even though week 4 hasn’t quite finished I have decided to through this post together, hoping that if I trust the process and continue my reflections I will progress and hopefully make sense of everything.

My current position is affecting my motivation; I wouldn’t say I hate or even dislike my job but I definitely don’t see a career in it, not to say there is no career available, there are definitely opportunities for progression (having been offered promotions before), I just don’t feel they are suitable for me and my interests.

Without any further procrastination I have prepared my draft for assessment 1. While not complete yet, I haven’t finished my reflections for chapter 2 and 3. I still would value feedback I what I have already completed. So please, tell me your thoughts. Am I on the the right track? does it make sense?

P.S. I haven’t proof read it completely so go easy on spelling and grammar mistakes haha.

Step 1 - KCQs (Introduction & Chapter 1)

Step 2 - Moodle Profile and Blog

Step 3 - Background info on company/KCQs/Comments on others blogs

Step 4 - Input company's financial statements

Step 5 - KCQs (Chapter 2 & 3)

Step 6 - Feedback with others

Who? I like a lot of other people I have find, have never heard of my company before being assigned them. When I seen that they were an industrial machinery manufacturer; I thought back to my trade days, after all, I had spent years maintaining, repairing and installing industrial machinery (namely: electric motors). But still I had never seen that name before, “Spirax-Sarco?” what does that even mean?

The company dates back to 1888 when Herman Sanders partnered a Mr Rehders and established as Sanders, Rehders & Co. (‘Sarco‘) in London they initial built their business around importing thermostatic steam traps from Germany. It wasn’t until 1932 that they ventured into manufacturing and began to manufacture steam traps in United Kingdom under the Spirax brand name. By the 1960s they had been listed on the London Stock Exchange, introduced a range of self-acting pressure controls and acquired their first of many companies in 1963. Bolstering their steam transportation solutions when it bought Drayton Controls, a control valve and instrumentation business.

The company further diversified into fluid management in 1990 by acquiring Watson-Marlow, a pump manufacturer. Since 1993 they have made several key acquisitions which has lead expansion in the control and metering business. It appears acquisition remain a key strategy to growth and expansion for Spirax-Sarco. In 2017 they further strengthen their market position within steam management by acquiring Gestra, while in the same year diversified into electrical process heating and temperature management solutions by acquiring Chromalox.

In 2018 Spirax-Sarco brought in a revenue of over £1.15b. it is the first the company has made over £1b in one year. Their highest valued customers find themselves in industries such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, food processing, other machinery manufacturers, power generation, and several more, highly lucrative industries. This paired with their direct sales strategy is obviously the reason for the financial success.

What a week… I don’t really have much to say about it. I got way less study done then I would have liked. I feel like I am slowly catching up on the economics unit that I fell behind on due to not having a textbook.

I went for a job interview at a local real estate agency (first real estate interview ever). I was very nervous but felt I explained why I was suitable for the role and demonstrated my knowledge well. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful but the feedback from principle was very promising in that I am apparently too good to just be a receptionist and that she would love to take me on. But she just needs someone who will be happy to stay on reception long term.

It really boosted my confidence to hears those works from someone who has started their own agency and achieved the growth they have. Previous to this role, I have been unable to even get an interview, presumably due to little experience.

I am going to try to produce a video resume/cover letter to try and demonstrate my drive and creative ability more, to things that are very important in property sales.

More and more I am realising how hard it can be to balance study, work and life…

My name is Joshua Turner, for the country music fans out there… no, not that one.

I have been and done many things in my relatively short life, after all, I am only 25, I have flipped burgers, I have worked in offices doing repetitive data entry, I have been a photocopier technician, I been an apprentice electrician, I have had temp jobs digging trenches and being a “safety observer”, now a find myself doing support work while studying a Bachelor of Property.

Why property? well… because it is unavoidable, we live in it, we drive on it, work in it, buy it, sell it, watch TV shows about renovating it.