Tom Blest

Experience

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  Kwik-Fit

  Sept 2007 - Mar 2012

  Retail Sales Manager

  I started here on a two year Apprenticeship, learning about the fast fit industry on vehicles. I completed my apprenticeship within 16 months. I gained basic customer skills, telephone techniques and also working as a team. I was then promoted to a supervisor as my manager believed that’s where my skills lied which I later proved. I helped organize staff rota’s, holidays and setting tasks for each member of staff. Also I had targets to reach of which I often achieved. My customer service skills improved dramatically with the more experience I gained. I also learnt telephone techniques which I had to follow when mystery shoppers visited to check we were following the correct procedure. A year later I was promoted to Bristol as a centre manager. This position involved me visiting other Kwik Fit branch’s to develop them, to help increase sales and to improve staff morale. I was then further promoted to the Exeter branch, where I developed my management skills by taking charge of seven members of staff. During my time at the Exeter branch all sales targets were met and the business grew significantly. Show less

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  Star Tyres

  Apr 2012 - Sept 2012

  Front of House Manager

  I started here working as front of house. I dealt with the answering of phones, running a busy centre and also booking in work for the mobile vans. I was responsible for the overall day to day running and smooth operation of the company. This included ordering parts, liaising with suppliers and also with customers. I often handled money and I was in charge of invoicing.

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  Hemyock Motors

  Sept 2012 - Feb 2013

  Front of House Manager

  I started here working as front of house. I dealt with the answering of phones, running a busy centre and also booking in work for the mobile vans. I was responsible for the overall day to day running and smooth operation of the company. This included ordering parts, liaising with suppliers and also with customers. I often handled money and I was in charge of invoicing.

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  EMCAS Claims Management

  Apr 2013 - Nov 2013

  Senior telesales agent

  My role here was a call centre agent. I dealt with outbound calls to potential clients, aiming to help them claim back on mis-sold insurances on a range of financial products. I had to overcome objections, use my knowledge of the products, emphasize the company’s benefits to gain customers interest and help them understand what we do. We were set daily and weekly targets as an incentive of earning more money. I exceeded these targets and then passed my three month probation a month early. I then got promoted to another department in the company. In this role I had to ring customers making sure they received the paperwork we sent them and answering any queries they may have. Also I had to check spelling, make sure the customers data was correct and check the claim to ensure it fitted in our criteria. I was also giving further responsibility as a first aider, which I know have for three years. Show less

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  Redcrier Training Solutions

  Nov 2013 - Sept 2014

  Course Advisor

  My role here is to deal with inbound and outbound calls. With the outbound I would be calling care homes and care agencies, explaining to them about our training material and trying to arrange a course advisor to go and see them for a no obligation meeting. This proved to be difficult at times due to the care sector being very busy and stressful for managers. Once we had the clients interest we then had to qualify the lead to make sure it was worth going to, so this was done by asking relevant questions. Once qualified and the correct information has been taking down, this is then written into a course advisors calendar at a suitable time and date.The inbound calls I had to deal with are usually queries of accounts, training certificates or an opportunity to sell more training material. Every month I've worked hear I earn good commission due to hitting targets and exceeding them. I find this job a little repetitive and looking for something with slightly more get up and go. Show less

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  Estadia Sales Training and Telemarketing

  Sept 2014 - Jan 2015

  Sales Executive

  Working on telemarketing campaigns, booking customers on Sales training courses, dealing with customer enquiries.

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  Mydentist (UK)

  Jan 2015 - Nov 2016

  New Business Development

  Responsible for generating leads to enable Acquisitions Team to achieve challenging targets for growth. Being the first point of contact for dental practice owners, the role is key to opening up conversations and relationships which will lead to appointments and subsequently acquisition. A target driven role, with an emphasis on long term relationship development, whilst demonstrating professionalism and an interest in the individual and their business. Key responsibilities include: defining target pool based upon practices meeting target criteria, attempting contact with all practice owners meeting relevant criteria, develop conversations and ask questions in order to 'plant the seed'​ about joining {my}dentist, identify practice owners 'prospect profile' in order to sell {my}dentist key proposition, manage contacts and build relationships over a period of time so prospects will eventually sell to {my}dentist, write personalised letters and emails, take and make phone calls out of hours in order to progress prospects. Show less

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  EVS VALETING LIMITED

  Nov 2016 - Feb 2019

  Area Manager
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  U-Drive - Car, Van & Minibus Hire & Leasing

  Feb 2019 - Jan 2020

  Branch Manager
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  Halfords

  Jan 2020 - now

  • Senior Manager

    Nov 2024 - now

  • Garage Fusion Manager

    Jul 2024 - now

  • Branch Manager

    Jan 2020 - now