Robert Harfield

Communication

I like instructions to be simple and clear I believe I communicate effectively

If someone is relaying information to me I like to understand fully what is required Always asking questions if need be

Both my wife and my daughter are both neurodivergent, so tact is essential in homelife I can sense the mood of a room and adapt accordingly

In my A to Z role, I dealt with customers in person, over the phone and email I am friendly and confident I mostly found it easy to grasp the customers' needs, conversing in a friendly direct manner until we were at an agreement

In my years of experience I have learnt that most people like to be spoken to in a confident and friendly manner, almost a conversational tone

I can sense when people are struggling to communicate and will often reach out to them if I feel they need it I will try to be friendly, gently spoken and patient

Raising my own children I was very in tune to when something was troubling them I would encourage them to tell me whilst remaining friendly and calm I know the importance of being approachable as I struggled as a child to speak to adults In time I hope people will see me as someone they can easily communicate with and confide in without hesitation

Approachable

I like to feel I am very approachable with a calm and friendly manner I greet people with a smile and my attention If I see someone is waiting I will acknowledge them so they don’t feel ignored It’s something I like, so I make sure I do the same for others

Teamwork

As I mentioned in my bio I am happy to be a teamplayer and play my part I trust in others to tell me what is required and will happily get on with it

For many years I worked as part of a 2 man team We both understood our very different roles to form a complete service Yet, often I was asked to step into my manager's role when he was away or out of the shop Good communication and planning was essential as we were a very small team We had had many years of running a business together

In musical theater I know how important it is to be a team player Other people rely on you for their queues and placing so it is vitally important to learn your part correctly and also do not under perform or equally over perform It is vital that you stick to what the directors have set so you collectively perform what the original creators of the show envisioned As an ensemble you collect your reward together at the end, in the form of applause and appreciation To work as a successful team brings a good camaraderie feeling to all

Forward Thinking

I like to plan things through from start to finish before I begin a task To help foresee

any potential problems I do this for home as well as work

In my previous role of sign manufacturer I had to plan customers needs from initial concept to installation I would think through every step and form a clear plan, problem solving any potential problems in my head before I began I would only begin work when I was happy it would be successful…

At home I will think ahead if we're planning something out of the ordinary Such as, planning days out or special events I am not a very spontaneous person and like to have things thought through properly

Responsibility

Responsibility is one of my core values I feel dutiful to anyone who is under my care

In my family, my children are my priority I use my high responsibility value to make a safe and secure home for them A safe platform from which they can express themselves freely with encouragement and without judgement

This includes paying all bills and cooking a good variety of healthy meals I also make sure I am present and available to them at all times so they feel they can reach out if they need to

Time Management and Planning

I am used to working to deadlines both at work and in my home life As previously mentioned I tend to plan before I start, factoring in the time element as well

At A to Z Signs we were only a small company, so maximising time use was very important I would often send a job to the large format printer and use the same time to do artwork for the next job Getting two jobs done together As well as being available to answer the phone or see a customer in person If new enquiries came in whilst I was concentrating elsewhere I would make notes to follow up on it when more time was available

At home I plan for a full week's worth of meals To save money where possible by combining ingredients and also for less frequent visits to the shops