AI_FRM430_W3_A2_Muskiet_B
- 2. OVERVIEW Williams-Sonoma is an American based retailer of high quality products for the home; it is a company which prides it self in customer service and array of quality cookware. In 1956, owner and creator, Chuck Williams transformed his passion for cooking into a small but eclectic business; the first store to open was in Sonoma, California and sold French cookware that could not be found elsewhere in America. In the years that have followed humble beginnings Williams-Sonoma has developed tremendously opening up additional lifestyle branches; sister stores being Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids & Teen, Williams- Sonoma Home, Mark & Graham, West Elm and Rejuvenation. (Williams-Sonoma Inc. Company Overview) BM
- 3. INVENTORY Williams-Sonoma Temecula conducted its yearly inventory on 2/2/2015. Beginning in our spacious stock room and making our way out to the sales floor, employees were split up into teams of two taking on specific sections of the store to conduct inventory. Job responsibilities: Conducted inventory in linens department; adult and kids aprons, kitchen towels, tablecloths, table runners, table napkins and table placemats. Additionally, conducted inventory of “New Moon”, “Citrus Bar” and “Open Kitchen” displays. Reflections: When yearly inventory is conducted for retailers, third parties usually come in to take on the tedious task. However, Williams-Sonoma internally conducts its own inventory for accuracy and safety purposes. BM
- 4. SLOW COOKER & WAFFLE DISPLAY Job responsibilities: Located proper products and props for displays. Built display based on images sent in from corporate. Reflections: This was my first visual project for Williams-Sonoma. While tasks included intricate details, product description sheets were provided to refer to. BM
- 5. SALE MARK DOWNS Job responsibilities: Individually checked items on sale and printd out new price tags. When dealing with food check the expiration dates and mark them down accordingly: food expiring 14 days from recommended date is marked down 75% and food expiring 60 days from recommended date 50%. Additionally, displayed and organized sale items in a appealing manner. Reflections: Williams-Sonoma held an annual sale on food, dinnerware, décor and cookware. Marked down merchandise was a big seller with low prices enticing consumers to make purchases. BM
- 6. SOUS CHEF- JUNIOR CHEF CLASSES Job responsibilities: Assisted head chef with preparing food, equipment and tables for the kids class. Additionally, interacted with children during class- teaching them how to prepare no bake Valentines Day treats and food safety. Reflections: The junior chefs class was a fun experience. When being a sous chef I got to experiment with new products, cook and interact with kids who enjoy cooking. BM
- 7. W1| SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE Transitioning from a seasonal employee to an intern was a fairly smooth process. When first starting with the company I primarily did gift wrapping and seldom some visual work. As my time with the company has increased I have been given more responsibility acquiring more knowledge about visuals, in home design consultations and how to efficiently conduct inventory. Time management Operating inventory scanning devices “Assertive yet Sensitive” work behavior Interacting with a younger generation of customers Operating electronic cookware machinery Experience with floor sets BM
- 8. OPEN KITCHEN FLOOR SET Job responsibilities: Transfered La Coupole Rectangular Iron Bistro Table with Marble Top to middle section of store. Set crates on table and cover with white runner. Filled bistro jars with OK utensils and pile atop bistro dinnerware. Hang proper OK signage above feature. Reflections: Remember to wear comfortable shoes and moveable apparel when moving heavy objects. When breaking down displays, back stock items to stock room to keep merchandise from cluttering the store. FRONT BACK FRONT DETAIL BM
- 9. LE CREUSET FLOOR SET Job responsibilities: Transferred Larkspur Marble-Top Kitchen Island to front entrance of store. Located and unboxed new Le Creuset merchandise and ticketed with correct information. Filled lower shelves with Williams- Sonoma chili and corn bread starters and navy linens. Hang proper signage above feature. Reflections: Use PDT to ticket new and unboxed products. FRONT DETAIL BACK DETAIL BM
- 10. LE CRESUET WINDOW DISPLAY Job responsibilities: Scraped off holiday window sticker and replaced with new Le Creuset sticker. Hang Le Creuset signage. Unboxed new Dutch ovens, maple cutting board and utensils on hanging shelf. Reflections: Use fishing line to hang signage. Always have a razor when scraping stickers off windows. BM
- 11. W2| SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE This week our visual team focused on transforming the visuals and window display towards the front entrance of the store. The most important thing I have learned while doing visual tasks is that it involves plenty of back stocking product. Sometimes this can set you behind when you have a deadline to meet. Attention to detail Grab the correct products for features Refer to SKU’s to locate specific products Delegate to efficiently manage time wisely Build feature and back stock merchandise When in doubt, ask for help! BM
- 12. IN HOME DESIGN CONSULTATIONTrained with Kathleen, a Pottery Barn associate. Attended an in home design consultation in Hemet, Ca Job responsibilities: Drove to customers house in Hemet, Ca Brought along fabric swatches as a visual reference for customer. Asked customer questions in regards to how they envisioned their home to look. In return made design suggestions based on responses. Measured for correct furniture or rug fittings in the home. Reflections: For this particular consultation the customer did not make a decision in regards to purchasing any home furnishings however, liked the suggestions Kathleen and I had made. For example the addition of a luxurious rug in the living room and adding height elements to her newly renovated kitchen island. **Out of respect and privacy of the customer I did not take pictures of her home. BM
- 13. THOMAS KELLER BAY UPDATE Job responsibilities: Broke down current cookware display. Located proper merchandise and built the Thomas Keller All Clad edition in the cookware bay. Pulled product from the stock room, ticketed each product with PDT and placed according to visual package. Reflections: Since the cookware bay was missing many pieces from its prior layout I had to consult a manager with what to do with the leftover from cookware sets. With the instructions to start fresh and pull everything from the bay, I filled it with new and unopened cookware sets which properly represented the Thomas Keller cookware brand. BM
- 14. SOUS CHEF- JUNIOR CHEF CLASSES Job responsibilities: Assisted head chef with preparing food (chopping, storing and cooking) Set up proper equipment to be used during class instruction Set up kids tables Interacted with children during class- teaching them how to prepare Asian pot stickers After class broke down table, washed dishes and put away any equipment taken out for the class Reflections: For the next junior chef class, make sure the class does not overfill. When classes overfill it makes it difficult to conduct a large class. BM
- 15. W3| SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE For the third week I took on a variety of roles in my internship. These roles included a design consultation, visual updates and a sous chef. With the exception for the design consultation training I am beginning to take on more responsibility solely, which I enjoy. Gained knowledge with: Deign consultation process New shipment of products Electronics i.e. Cuisinart food processor and Vitamix S30 blender Creative collaboration with Pottery Barn Associate BM
- 16. EASTER FLOOR SET Job responsibilities: Utilized La Coupole Rectangular Iron Bistro Table with Marble Top to build front table display. Pulled product from stock room and ticketed each item with PDT. Placed product according to visual package. Reflections: Set a personal goal to complete each visual in a reasonable time. UP CLOSE DETAILSIDE DETAIL BM
- 17. EASTER FLOOR SET CONTINUED Job responsibilities: Tore down current front “Asian Fusion” table. Wrapped table top with burlap fabric. Pulled Easter product from stock room and placed according to visual package. Reflections: Sometimes product is not received before visuals are due; consult manager for replacements. FRONT DETAIL BACK DETAIL BM
- 18. CITRUS BAR UPDATE Job responsibilities: Located cooks tools feature. Pulled current tools from biscotti jars and replaced with required ones from visual package. Back stocked unrequired tools. Reflections: This update was very tedious and involved an array of tools to be located. Set a time goal and accomplish it. FRONT DETAIL BACK DETAIL BM
- 19. NESPRESSO UPDATE Job responsibilities: Referred to Nespresso coffee feature. Pulled outdated product and replaced with new; specifically the white Nespresso Vertuoline. Reflections: Electronics require to be ticketed with PDT scanner. Do not bring un- ticketed product onto sales floor as it creates confusion for customers and employees. FRONT DETAIL SIDE DETAIL BM
- 20. W4| SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE During week 4 there was a large emphasis on visuals for the store. For the first half of the week our visual team built the new required floor set from the visual package for the Easter holiday. Creative collaboration with visual team and new floor set Awareness of new products and shipment received BM
- 21. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths 1. Passion for home industry. 2. Friendly and welcoming disposition. 3. I never stop doing my best just because someone doesn’t give me credit. 4. Punctualality 5. Embracing of change Weaknesses 1. Tendency to be a poor listener. 2. Uncomfortable speaking in front of large groups. 3. Little motivation at times 4. Balancing the demands from school, work, internship and household 5. Kind disposition often mistaken for weakness. Opportunities 1. Earn Bachelor of Science degree in May 2015. 2. Complete internship via Williams-Sonoma. 3. Building a future career in corporate for WS. 4. Seeking additional internships. 5. Corporate wide home consulatation training. Threats 1. Colleagues have extensive product knowledge and seniority within Williams-Sonoma. 2. Industry chnaging directions towards home. 3. Family obligtions limit chances of relcating for dream job. 4. Student loan's 5. New employee hires BM
- 22. SWOT COMMENTS When referring to my personal SWOT, I can analyze this information for my future career path. In addition I am able to improve my personal and professional work ethic in the following ways: Acknowledging all aspects of my SWOT Pinpoint which areas I excel at and which ones need improvement. Focusing on transforming my weaknesses into strengths Practice effective listening skills and become a self-motivator. Concentrating on what others are saying in addition to always having a positive outlook in any situation. Focus on building strengths Passionate about the home industry Note opportunities and threats Better aware of the challenges that may arise at any time and can better prepare for threats in advance. BM
- 23. BM WORK ATTIRE