Professional_Knowledge_and_Abilities

Professional Knowledge and Abilities Over the years I have often referred to different societies, organizations, and associations when doing research on certain topics. Some of the topics focused on my current job, some on my lifestyle, and others simply for personal knowledge. The one area that I never employed such resources for is the retail industry. I worked in the retail industry for approximately three years when I was younger, and made a return to it 18 months ago. This time around I am a supervisor and hold my own department within the store that employs me. I take pride in the condition, appearance, organization, and most of all sales within my department. I do so because my future career possibilities within the corporation are dependent upon my performance in this position. I have thus begun to seek out and use the knowledge and resources available to me via industry-related associations and organizations. Two organizations that I recently have discovered are the National Association for Retail Marketing Services, or NARMS, and the National Retail Federation, NRF. National Association for Retail Marketing Services The National Association for Retail Marketing provides education, research data, networking, and specialized programs to members of the retail marketing industries (NARMS, 2010). NARMS offers a wide variety of resources, from human resources information to trend reporting to podcasts and media. They also provide a job search database, obviously specific to the industry. The resource available that will offer me the greatest amount of useful knowledge are the Times and Trends reports available through their web page. NARMS currently offers many reports on how the economy has changed the consumer and how the retail industry can strategize to accommodate those changes. They also offer reports on Baby Boomer spending and eco-trends (NARMS, 2010). Each of the reports can be valuable to my success in my career. National Retail Federation The National Retail Federation works to “advance and protect the interests of the retail industry and to help retailers achieve excellence in all areas of their business” (NRF, 2010, para. 1). The NRF has one particular area within their website that will be advantageous to me and that is the Merchandising section. This section focuses on what trends are hot, how big retailers are being successful in their merchandising, publications, a reference center, and a list of standard color and size codes (NRF, 2010). All of this information can be extremely useful to me as I advance my career. Paving the way to career success The knowledge that I can acquire through these organizations can assist me both in my current position and in my future career endeavors. My career goal is to become a merchandise buyer for the company that currently employs me. I can use the information obtained from the NRF and NARMS to assist me in recognizing and staying ahead of trends in consumer purchases and fashion as well as in predicting seasonal sales of merchandise. The knowledge can better prepare me for what I may face in the future as I work toward my promotion. I can show my superiors that I am not only educated and experienced but also that my knowledge and desire goes well beyond that of the average individual in my position. Many of those who hold my position within my company give the impression of satisfaction with their position and pay; therefore not putting forth any extra effort and only doing the job description requires of them. On the contrary, I have passion to succeed and have a strong passion for the industry and for accomplishing my dreams. I refuse to give up until I reach my mountain top and will use very asset available to me to do so. Conclusion Although I have often referred to different organization, associations, and societies for information over the years for knowledge, I have never before used that information to enhance my career success. I have discovered the National Retail Federation and the National Association for Retail Marketing Services and I will use the information for that purpose. They have quickly become a valuable source, and I look forward to using the information to my advantage. References National Association for Retail Marketing Services. (2010). National Association for Retail Marketing Services: The International Retail Marketing Community. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from http://www.narms.com/ National Retail Federation. (2010). National Retail Federation. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from http://www.nrf.com/