Thursday, March 29, 2012

Supporting The Community, Atlas Welcome Work Experience Student

Last week we supported one of the Nantwich local schools during their work experience term. We were delighted to welcome Megan Green into our team and we hope she enjoyed her time at Atlas. Megan was given the opportunity to see what happens within most departments and we were particularly impressed by her attitude; she wanted to positively contribute to tasks rather than just spectate.

Below you can find a brief synopsis of what she got up to (in her own words).

“My name is Megan Green and I am a student at Malbank School. I have recently taken part in a week’s worth of work experience, so I can understand how to work in the various departments and discover what job roles are important within the business. I am specifically looking at how the companies communicate with internally with each other and with their customers.

During the time I have worked at Atlas I have been working alongside some of the people who work for Atlas Business, for example, I have done some sales research which allowed me to understand that customers do not come to you, you have to find them and research into their company’s background to see whether they will be useful to your company.

I have observed and taken part in the filming of the Access Payroll user training video. Video not only proves more interesting than reading instructions, but also makes it clear and easier to understand how to install Access Payroll software at the beginning of the new tax year.

I have been given tasks to work on independently which gave me some invaluable experience of having a job. I have updated information on contact details using ProspectSoft CRM. This meant I had to do the procedures of going through all of the contacts, checking to see if they were correct and then changing the details that were incorrect.

The time I have spent here at Atlas Business, has taught me that verbal communications is one of the main parts to this business. The telephone is used by all the workers in this company every day. Video conferences are used to allow meetings to take place, which gives the people within the business a chance to discuss their ideas. Presentations are also used to show people’s ideas thoughts and theories.

I have also discovered that personal image is an important part to being involved in a business, it shows professionalism and gives a great first impression. Having good organisation skills makes information easy to find when there is something to guide you. For example, keeping important documents in files and labelling them, keeping things in order so when you come to find them it is not very difficult, using highlighters to highlight specific information and keeping all tasks up to date. Writing notes down is another example of being organised, as you are able to write down information that is needed, to either pass on to a colleague, file or use yourself.

My time at Atlas Business has been an enjoyable and very useful experience. It has changed the way I think about having a job and has allowed me to understand that every role a person has is important and makes a big difference. I will be able to take the skills I have learnt with me and use them in any future careers I may embark on.”

Megan, everybody at Atlas that had the pleasure of meeting you said that they enjoyed working alongside you. We wish you all the best with your school work, exams and chosen career path. Keep in touch!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Windows 8: Are Microsoft Looking at Another Vista?

Microsoft are currently preparing Windows 8 for its final version launch, later in 2012. Advanced consumer preview editions are with some users now, some of whom have questioned quite how atuned to people's needs the new operating system is. Watch what happened when technology writer Chris Pirillo asked his Dad, an 'average consumer', to use the system for the first time.

The closing lines of the video should really strike fear into many an Microsoft executive's heart. Should we, as users, be worried?

Friday, March 09, 2012

Leeds Office Move

Atlas are delighted to announce that we have agreed new tenancy at better-appointed offices for the Leeds arm of our business. The offices, which also have more parking facilities, will be occupied by our Redcliffe CSN team from Monday 12th March. The new address for all correspondence heading to Leeds is;

Unit 7
Madison Court
George Mann Road
Leeds
LS10 1DX

We hope you're able to join us at the new offices very soon.