This week, I have completed work experience with Positively Putney BID. It has been such a unique and varied experience ranging from inputting contact details in the BIDs CRM system to giving out reusable cups (potentially my highlight). When I first got the email with the office address, I expected a quiet, uneventful week. How wrong was I!
On Monday, I arrived at the office and straight away I was out making reels advertising dry cleaners. Who knew there were so many dry cleaners in Putney and the reel has already had 4000 views. Instead of returning to the office, I went out on the brilliant boat trail taking place between mid March and mid April. Running round the streets of Putney finding these beautifully crafted boats that the local schools have decorated. As well as seeing the boats, I got a feel of the warm, welcoming businesses in Putney, getting a great sense of the vast range of services they offer. After completing my 10,000-step goal, we returned to the office to talk with the plain clothes security officers. I was so surprised on how many different services the BID cover. I listened to the plain clothes officers, who told me about their ideal day and an insight of the crime in Putney and how they were working to reduce it.
On Tuesday, I met the whole team and had a meeting with the BID ballot advisor. BIDs have to go back to ballot every five years and Positively Putney’s ballot is later this year. We talked about what to do to raise interest and how to encourage businesses to vote yes for the BID. Essentially, how to help put people on your side – a useful skill in life – which was very interesting. Over lunchtime, we had a drop-in session for businesses to learn more about the BID ballot at The Railway Pub, treating ourselves to their delightful drinks. Also, I got to meet the awesome owners of Putney’s businesses, and they shared how they attract consumers and how to develop further.
Wednesday was the day I was looking forward to. Reusable cups day! Who would have thought what I would get up to in an apparently office job? Well, seeing masses of cups (9000 in fact) blew me away as well as the incredible design of the cups. Pubs within the Positively Putney BID area have been using reusable cups since 2019, getting new ones before Boat race Day and then using them throughout the Summer. Metro bank always store the bulk order of cups and then they get distributed to the pubs. We sat in the sun for two hours, waiting for the local pubs to collect their cups. Next, we took away the pallets carrying them for ten minutes down Putney High Street back to the PP office which counted as my strength workout for the month!
Thursday, we had an interesting meeting with West9 Graphic Design Company where we discussed what the new logo might look like. It was awe-inspiring in how much thought goes into the logo and understanding what it represents. For a pleasant change I stayed in the office in the afternoon, entering contact details into Vicinity the BID CRM system, learning how the BID uses it.
Unfortunately all good things have to come to an end and Friday was my last day. We started off finishing outstanding work and then went to the East Putney Tavern to have a chat with the owner. What a cool pub that was – I highly recommend it. We talked about local news and how business was going for them hearing first hand what he does to get more business. Some methods are less extravagant than others – for example keeping the pub open to 4am if England end up in a 2am match during the football World Cup in June.
And sadly my week of awesome activities had come to a close. Looking back, I see the skills I have developed from building muscle to learning how Vicinity works. This week has been varied, surprising and interesting, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I didn’t expect to enjoy myself this week as much as I have, it has been absolutely awesome.
Written by Zeke, aged 14 work experience student.