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Editorial - aquilaheywood

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Name: Azam Cullasy
Employer: aquilaheywood
Promoted to: Business Development Consultant
Joined As: Graduate Implementation Consultant
Qualifications: MA Economics and Arabic
University: University of Edinburgh
Start Date: August, 2007

0830 - 0900: Check emails The first thing I do when I get in is grab a drink and check my emails. This is important because with lots of projects on the go at the same time, it is essential that I keep up to date.

0900 - 1200: Configure a client system Our solution for the market is unique in that it covers such a broad range of functionality allowing it to be configured to meet our Clients needs. This is a major advantage because it saves the client money by them avoiding the need to build a customised solution from scratch; they get an innovative, proven and robust system to support the development of their business plans. This part of my day involves analysing the client's products and business operating model with a view to configuring administrator to match their requirements. I enjoy the intellectual challenge of assimilating their information and using my initiative to develop a solution. It is also a useful test of my pensions knowledge since I need a thorough understanding of the market proposition I am building for the client.

1200 - 1300: Lunch Some of the other graduates and I often go for lunch together. I have made some great friends here and we often meet up after work as well.

1300 - 1530: Meet client After a morning working on a solution for a client, the afternoon may be spent meeting a different client. I particularly enjoy this side of my role because I must present myself confidently and be decisive in discussions about my product's capability, pension rules and my understanding of the customer's requirements. There is always someone more experienced with you though, so it's not too daunting and it is a good way to learn and build the team.

1530 - 1700: Test the enhancement Occasionally, a client may have a unique requirement and our development team will help them by designing an enhancement. Once an enhancement has been developed, I test it to make sure that what has been built matches the customer's requirement and to be absolutely certain that the solution is working as required before I demonstrate it to the client.

1700 - 1800: Update Documentation All parts of the system are extensively documented. Once an enhancement has been delivered this new functionality will need to be recorded in the systems guide so the whole team is aware of it. There are also monthly briefings where the whole team meet to discuss changes and client's potential requirements.

Working at aquila
I chose aquilaheywood because of its strong reputation. The first thing that struck me was the quality of the staff - everyone has lots of market experience and knows our product thoroughly. This makes it easier to ask questions and also contributes to the high quality output the company produces.

My colleagues are supportive and ready to help me when I need them. For the first six months you are assigned a mentor who supports you through the initial training and helps you decide what career path you want to follow. There are internal training courses available which are designed to build both product and business knowledge. The company also sponsors my enrolment on the Certificate of Financial Planning exams.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year at aquila. I have learned an incredible amount and met some fantastic people. I joined the company as an Implementation Consultant but within nine months I started to move across to the business development team. This flexibility and openness is one of the major advantages of working at a company like aquilaheywood.

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