Figuring out my new job

[Sworn]

Hey everybody.

I've gotten into an opportunity to implement PD concepts big time!
After doing one labor job after another, I finally got the chance to land a job that requires my BRAIN.
It's administration and bookkeeping for a business that sells technical staff (welders, technicians, fitters, engineers, etc....) to clients for their factory halls, constructions, machines and whatnot.
Eventually I also get to set up the planning, get a chance to create insight into what's really going on in this business.
It's very exciting and challenging now. They basically kicked me into a pool of crap that needs to be solved administratively and bookkeeping wise. I have yet no skills in administration or bookkeeping, so it's also a bit (mch) of a nightmare!!

Now, first off I'm trying to figure out what type of business EXACTLY i'm into. Believe it or not, I'm on my own in the office here 70% of the time and I've started to feel funny about what type of business im in at the very beginning, simply because I knew NOTHING.

What's also exciting is that I get commission for every resume of an worker that get's sold to a client.
I'm trying to find specific information that teaches me the right information for getting good at this job, but I find it very hard to find people that have something similar.

Some of my goals are: Finding a structure where I can register all the moves that people make. that contains classifying orders, invoices,
But ESPECIALLY finding a way where I can easily register all the relevant information so I know where every worker is working,

And/or example businesses. I have the feeling Im trying to reinvent the wheel here. People who went before it appeared didn't have and attitude of trying to become good at the job rather than just doing what they were supposed to do.

I feel very responsible for this job and I want to gain quite some experience. But I'd love to find ways to gain some leverage.

Any idea would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance

Kevin

[CStrunk]

You should probably set up a database. (By probably I mean definitely) They probably have Microsoft Office which has Excel, Word, Powerpoint, and Access. Use MS Access for the database. Do a search on the internet for guides on how to make efficient databases. It can be kind of complicated if you've never dealt with it before. I would suggest picking up a book (an older edition on half.com for less than a dollar would do) on something that teaches you Access. I forget what book I used, but check under the subject "Management Information Systems".

Then again, you might not have enough sales to justify the use of a database. I'm not sure. I do know that you could probably impress your boss by using Access and being able to print out pretty reports.

If you're working 9-5 and you have freetime, learning it would be a pretty sweet choice. I work at a large bank in Manhattan and although I don't work with Access, I work with SQL Server, which (don't hate me if I'm wrong) is similar to Access but in a different language and beefed up and a little more complex.

If you can't tell, I'm a fan of Access. [ Access word count = 7. Not bad. ] Just a suggestion. It's a great opportunity to learn though. Good luck with it all!

[Sworn]

Hey yeah Access/database big time! I was thinking of that also have the lynda.com and trying to get a grip on how we store our data without the software which I understand is essential before you even touch the software.
On top of that, my boss already a database professionally designed but having it installed on our computers is going to take a while so in the meantime I want to be the hero.

what it all comes down to is figuring out which objects are relevant, identifying the type of data etc,....
what is also it comes down to when it comes to my job: knowing the movements of my co-workers and figuring out a system that traces it very well so everything in the bookkeeping and administration comes tied together.

At this moment I figure getting to know more about the type of business is essential for figuring out the objects in my database.

Any useful resources on recruitment (especially laborers) or anyone who can help me get an inside look on how it's supposed to roll?

The learning curve is damn steep! its very hard to get the feeling that im doing well here actually so I kinda need some input from outside.

CHeers

[silicon toad2000]

visit your clients factories and talk with them about what they need. Get into their business, talk to the boss and the staff.
Heh heh, if you send them someone that's useless you'd want to hear about it from the staff, they are generally less diplomatic than the bosses as such the truth about the situation is much more stark than the filtered version you get from the bosses.

[CStrunk]

Technology learning curves can be very steep. However, its all the more rewarding when you finally get that program to compile or macro to run! Don't let it discourage you at all. If all else fails, there is an internet full of professionals with time to kill able to help you.

[Sworn]

Hey guys,

Been a while. My time management skills need A LOT of work. SO does my work but it's getting kinda cool lately.

I know I'm in the recruitment business for engineers and technical laboreres (welders, technicians...) that we sell to companies' factories and projects.


SO what would motivate me is to find Personal Development strategies/Personal Development in sales stuff combined with recruitment.

It's very exciting in a funky way. My boss wants me to get into the sales department right away while Im learning administration from scratch

I have freaked out in the past and has made me a tad bit stronger already in these first three months, but ideas/book recommendations are welcome.

I already do plan to read E-Myth: why small business fail

Engineers are hard to find an in high demand here. So getting any skills in selling ourselves to engineers would be a heavenly thing

allright gotta go again;,

cheers,

Sworn