My journey with RB began when I was selected for the Summer Internship Programme from our campus (Xavier Institute of Management). I had a pretty interesting project which required a lot of travelling to small towns all over West Bengal (which happens to be familiar territory for me). I had to create a model to attract consumers in these rural towns by setting up stalls, making announcements and creating buzz about RB products. My work during the internship paid rich dividends as I was called for an interview for the position of Management Trainee. By this time I had already started feeling a sense of pride to be associated with the RB brands. Every little village/town that I had visited showed great respect for brands like Dettol, Harpic and Mortein even if they did not use all these products. I had dreamt of joining this company right after my summer internship ended (getting a pre-placement offer also meant not having to sit for placement talks/interviews etc. – which indirectly means a whole lot more time to enjoy myself under less pressure while others slog for their final placements). These thoughts provided the impetus required to put in hard work for the presentation and interview. Well… Here I am!

My journey as Management Trainee started in June 2011 with my Distributor Sales Representative stint in Karnataka. Life suddenly changed from sports, studies, night long parties (read: hostel life during MBA) to visiting retailers and selling our products. From the very first day, I had a target and I had to over achieve that target. The first problem I faced was – local language. Within a week I tried to pick up a few key words so that basic communication required at a shop would not be hindered.  The stint was interesting. I got to learn a lot of things and had to learn them pretty fast. Things that seemed baffling and tough gradually started becoming easy. Before I had time to sit and reflect, I was done with the stint. By this time, I was already breathing numbers, targets, productivity, ECO and tons of other terms which seemed like meaningless jargons a few weeks back but now started to make sense.

Time to move on – currently I am in Gulbarga (unknown land, unknown people, unknown food, unknown language). The only thing I know are my targets, products, schemes etc! This stint has been very challenging so far – lots of complications which I had not been exposed to during the first month. Slowly, I am beginning to enjoy these challenges and learning the nuances of dealing with problems. It has been a fortnight since I came here – and now the place seems quite familiar – the bus routes, the forts, the hills, the restaurants (though I still cannot read what’s written anywhere, I can at least push myself to understand what people are talking about)!

It has been an exciting and eventful journey with RB so far and I am looking forward to what lies in store next. It has been a lot of learning and I am sure there is a lot more to come, which will put me in good stead by the time I complete my training period!

It’s been a long wait this year to get new roles following on from the management trainee programme! We (the management trainees) have been through all the stints and some of us have even started to get new roles. Word is out in the grapevine that the other trainees will be given their postings soon and I might be one of them

We will be posted as Area Sales Managers (ASMs) in different parts of India. You are given your targets, shortly before starting and your are tasked with developing business in that territory for the next two years. After which begins the most fascinating part of your career at RB. You learn to handle the business and the nuances of sales. The entire “process of sales” – a fantastic opportunity!

It’s a huge responsibility something that most of us have never experienced before and hence becomes (in my view) a very grooming phase of our personal and professional lives!

Something that I am really looking forward too !!

There are no simulations in RB, your learn on the job and you are expected to deliver amazing results. You need to be perfect – but then if you are in RB you probably are!

It’s a little quiet in the office today with everyone a little weary and worn out from the last few days of beaches, parties, celebrations, spa’s … oh and work presentations and conference. Yep, it’s that time again, the Australian Conference 2010!

We left Sydney bound for the Crowne Plaza, Terrigal early Monday morning, had a bite to eat and then got stuck into a bit of team building – what better activity than Bare Foot Bowls! Whilst I wasn’t able to bring my knowledge and expertise of the game to the table much (I can’t say bowling is my forte!), everyone still managed to have a fabulous time catching up, having a drink and using all their energy to get the ball closer than any of their teammates could – Reckitt Benckiser competitive? Never!

The next day was Conference Day, whereby each respective brand and account team presented updates to the business regarding strategies and new product developments for 2011, new TVC’s and advertising as well as results to date and plans to reach their balance to go targets. As a newbie in the Marketing department, it was really interesting to understand the differences between different brand approaches and idea generation – particularly the disparity of issues faced between Household and Health & Personal Care categories.

That night, 1920’s flappers, gangsters, and even Biggles, concentrated the building as we had our themed 1920’s party night. A fun night of Black Jack, Roulette, dancing and celebrating had by all.

Following our morning of presentations, everybody participated in an interactive group activity named “The Photography Challenge”. This task was a great opportunity for people in all different departments (Marketing, Sales, Supply, Regulatories, Finance) to work and compete together and assist each other with challenges such as being creative in a very short timeline (definitely a challenge that arises in all of our day to day workings in the office!). At the end of this activity, I presented my team’s photography to the business and outlined the creative and artistic rationale behind each image – our team managed to come out of top for this competition … must have been all that birthday energy!

Our next conference day (and my birthday, I might add!) consisted of an informative presentation on some potential new additions to the RB portfolio – Scholl Footwear (of which the ladies might recognize as the infamous “Party Feet Gel Cushions”), as well as Durex (I don’t really need to detail this one…!).

These additions to the portfolio would generate many new business challenges and opportunities for the RB Australia business, as distribution channels for these ranges expand outside the general Pharmacy and Grocery networks and into unknown territory such as fashion outlets, convenience stores and bars/nightclubs.

Another interesting challenge that we were given this day was the “Million Dollar Challenge” in which we were again split into cross-functional teams and tested with the question, “What would you do with $1mm?”. Each team were given a certain brand challenge (increase Pine O Cleen wipes penetration in the market, enhance consumption of Vanish in-wash, drive Finish tablets through increasing frequency of dish wash usage and tablet trade-up) in which we had to brainstorm and present 3 key ideas. Our team chose to increase Pine O Cleen wipes penetration mainly through trial and new users, for example alliances with MasterChef, wipes sampling through the new Coles recipe cards in store and partnerships with hospitals for new mothers bounty bags. Although we did not win this challenge, it was really remarkable to see that RB willingly will be supporting the winning team’s ideas on Finish by investing an incremental $1mm into the plan for 2011.

To top off our week at Conference that night was a Black and White Soiree Ball where everyone had the chance to let their hair down and party it up one last time before returning back to the office. We had a fabulous band called the Figaro’s performing Italian Opera music, a beautifully set up ballroom, awards for ‘best dressed’ as well as prizes for winners of competitions throughout the week. A really great end to a fun and enjoyable week away.

And back to the office we are.

Although a little more drained than before we left, definitely refreshed from a good break away – who knows where to next? I think we’ll push for New York and see how that follows through …

What a whirlwind of events the last week has been…

Just a few days ago I traded in my Account Management and Analyst responsibilities and began my new role as Assistant Brand Manager (ABM) for RB Australia’s biggest brand, Nurofen. No more ‘end of month’ pacing down the hallways – welcome new product development, budgets and media planning!

It’s a really exciting time to be joining the Nurofen team in Australia with so many new campaigns and strategies on the horizon for 2011. One thing I have realised coming into this role is that it’s not just 2011 projects I’ll be working on, but also 2012 and 2013 (and even a few last minute 2010 works that have yet to be rolled out!) – time management and planning are integral to everything in Marketing!

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Although I’ve only been in the role for just under 2 weeks, what would I say is the biggest change moving from Sales to Marketing?

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Instead of just focusing on a couple big trade projects, ABM’s are expected to manage a huge range of projects at any one time including:

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-         Redesigning pack artworks

-         Liaising with global teams to introduce new products into the market

-         Managing cost-efficiencies with packaging companies across the globe

-         Working with Trade Marketing, Design Agencies and Supply to recreate artworks for point of sale materials

-         Teaming up with creative agencies to develop television commericals (TVCs), print ads and digital ads

The list really goes on.

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A really interesting point about Brand Management at RB is that it’s not just the Marketing and Advertising that you are held responsible for – there is also the expectation that you keep track of financials, the budget and forecasts. This aspect of the job is a really unique learning opportunity that you wouldn’t receive at many other global FMCG’s. In the mere 2 weeks I’ve been here, I have already been taught so much about the way the different departments works together and how financials such as P&Ls and balance sheets lead the business.

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Away from the numbers side of it, I’ve really enjoyed my first couple of weeks in Marketing. I’ve gone on production shoots for new Nurofen print ads, started redesigning pack artworks, began working closely with our design agency for the launch of a new Nurofen product launch in Feb 2011 and helped launch a new TVC into the Australian market – I’m definitely no longer in Sales!

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I’ve now been on the R&D graduate scheme in Hull for almost a year, and have developed countless new skills and experiences that have got my career off to a great start.

So, instead of writing a list of everything I’ve learnt so far (which would probably take all day!) I have tried to choose 10 things I’ve discovered about working for RB which may be beneficial for those of you currently considering a career in FMCG:

Verity outside the Hull R&D Site

1. Lots of small cogs make a very big and successful machine!

Sometimes upon joining a company as large and far reaching as RB, you may be sceptical as to how much value each individual can add, especially fresh from university. RB doesn’t take on employees to merely fill headcount however, and I’ve been able to have real responsibility right from day one. I’ve found this both exciting and stretching, and it’s definitely one of the things I love the most about working here.

2. It’s all about the Powerbrands!

If you’ve been doing some research into RB you’ve undoubtedly heard of our powerbrands. We are very proud of these brands and everyone feels a sense of pride when they hear about a new product we’re launching, whether it is your own brand or not. It’s the powerbrands that inspired me join the company, as I wanted to become part of the powerhouse behind such iconic brands as Airwick, Dettol, Nurofen and Veet.

3. Exposure is good!

Whether it’s seeing how colleagues handled a tough call, or getting the chance to work on a section of a new project, the graduate scheme lets you get massive exposure to the business, and as a new graduate this is invaluable. Also on the flip side, by completing multiple roles during the two year scheme, your personal exposure to senior management is broad, so hopefully upon finishing the scheme this will allow me to gain a role in the category that best suits my strengths and ambitions.

4. Everything is a learning experience

If you are like me and a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to your work, often no matter how well a project goes, it could always have gone slightly better…and this is a good thing! To recognise that everything can always be improved upon means that you are never resting on your laurels and therefore always striving to achieve bigger and better things. This is the key to RB’s success! Take any of our brands as an example, and you will rarely see that we are happy with only selling the current project, but instead we are always striving to produce better innovations, which are more relevant to the consumer and employ the very latest technology.

5. Trust your judgement…

From day one I have had to use my own judgement to make decisions on projects. Taking full responsibility is a very exciting and slightly daunting at first, but it’s this personal ownership and entrepreneurship is what RB people thrive on, and I’ve definitely experienced this. Working for a company which allows you this freedom to make decisions on your own work and subsequently get recognised by swift promotions is why RB people are so driven and successful.

6…and if you are not sure then ask!

No one is ever going to kill you for asking them a question! It’s far better to ask someone with experience than guess, and with RBs culture of frequently moving roles you are bound to come across a new area at some point in your career. This is where RB’s culture of team spirit and cross sharing of knowledge comes to play. In R&D we often have projects with overlap and by sharing resources this allows both projects to project quicker.

7. Your career is what you make of it

RB has amazing opportunities available; all you have to do is take them! This was summed up on my first day at RB when my director told me “the only thing that will limit your career with RB will be yourself”. In this he meant that at RB you have the opportunities to progress quickly and travel all over the world if you feel you are up to the challenge and want to succeed, and one year later I really do believe this is true.

8. If you want to live abroad then just choose your country!

As RB has operations in over 160 countries globally, there are opportunities for relocations to all sorts of exotic places. This is one of the most exciting things about RB, unlike other companies we are actively encouraged to move abroad, and even get paid for doing so! I am looking forward to shortly undertaking my first international role in South Korea, and I’m hoping there will be many further international roles after this.

9. Make your university experience a role play for your real career

If you are still at university, or maybe finished and currently looking for work, one of the main tips I can give is prepare yourself. I’m not going to lie; working at RB keeps you very busy! So one of the best ways you can prepare yourself for this, and also demonstrate to recruiters that you’re up to the challenge is to fill your time now with hobbies, sports, voluntary work, part time job, the more the better, oh and still do well in your degree of course.

10. A culture of ‘only the best will do’ ensures that the best is produced

As I mentioned earlier, I like to make sure the work I do is to the very best of my ability, and this is a feeling that runs through RB. I have found that the company is very conscious when it comes to testing our products for quality, safety and overall value. Even the slightest of faults and the product will not go to market until it is reworked and meets our own high level of satisfaction. It’s this high benchmark we set for ourselves which differentiates us from the rest and keeps our consumers loyal to our strong brands.