Body Shop New Zealand: Admin Impact

Trend Radar

You need 3 min read

·

Post on Jan 22, 2025

35 visitor like this post

Share

The Body Shop New Zealand: Admin's Unsung Impact – My Story

Hey everyone! So, I've spent the last five years working in admin roles, and a big chunk of that was with The Body Shop in New Zealand. I figured I'd share some insights, because honestly, admin work gets overlooked a lot. It's not all spreadsheets and filing, you know. It's actually pretty crucial to a company's success, especially somewhere like The Body Shop, which is all about ethical sourcing and community trade.

Beyond the Spreadsheets: The Real Admin Impact

My first job was pretty entry-level - data entry, mostly. Sounds boring, right? Well, it wasn't entirely boring. I quickly realized that even the most seemingly insignificant piece of data – like accurately recording sales figures – was vital. Think about it: if the sales data's wrong, how can they plan their stock? Or their marketing campaigns? It's a domino effect, man. Accurate data entry is the foundation of good business decisions.

One time, I messed up. Totally my fault. I transposed two numbers in an order, and it resulted in a huge delay in getting a shipment to a store. It was super stressful, and I felt terrible. The store manager wasn't happy, obviously. But that mistake taught me a HUGE lesson about double-checking everything, and using the available tools for verification. This situation highlighted the importance of accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced retail environment like The Body Shop.

Supporting the Community Trade Ethos

The Body Shop's whole thing is community trade, right? They source ingredients and products ethically from all over the world. It's fantastic, but the admin side supports that directly. We handled tons of paperwork related to fair-trade agreements and supplier relationships. This involved managing complex contracts, ensuring all payments were made on time and in accordance with their ethical sourcing guidelines. That's a big responsibility!

I even got involved in tracking the progress of community trade projects – something I found really rewarding. This often involved data analysis, report writing, and keeping track of multiple projects simultaneously, which definitely improved my organizational and project management skills.

The Tech Side of Things

We used a bunch of different software programs – everything from inventory management systems to CRM software. I didn't know how to use most of them at first, and learning them was tough sometimes. There were frustrating moments, like that time I spent hours trying to troubleshoot a software glitch, only to realize it was a simple user error. facepalm. But learning to navigate these tools improved my technical skills and problem-solving abilities immensely. And, honestly, it's a pretty marketable skillset.

From Admin to Something More?

The Body Shop's focus on ethical business practices genuinely influenced me, and it showed me that admin isn't just about busywork. You're integral to the smooth functioning of an organization, and you contribute directly to its success. That realization was huge for me.

If you’re thinking about a career in admin, especially with a company like The Body Shop that has a strong ethical component, I say go for it! It can be challenging, but incredibly rewarding.

Key Takeaways:

• Accuracy is key: Double-check everything!
• Data is power: Learn to use data analysis tools and interpret your results.
• Tech skills are important: Familiarize yourself with various software programs.
• Organization is vital: Practice strong organizational and project management skills.

And hey, don't be afraid to make mistakes. Learn from them and move on. That's how we grow. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!