Patricia Thompson

Solutions Advisor – Maths and Science Resources

Solutions Advisor, selling Maths and Science solutions to high schools, post-matric programs, non-profit organizations, and other educational institutions. My role encompasses a range of responsibilities aimed at delivering optimal solutions to meet unique needs of each client.

Key Responsibilities:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including learners, parents, Heads of Departments, educators, principals, NPO stakeholders, and government representatives.
• Presentations and Proposal Development: Conduct meetings, host presentations, and attend educational events to present tailored solutions. Once I understand their unique needs and context, I create detailed proposals, outlining areas of synergy, overlap, and opportunities, including costing.
• Sales and CRM Management: Oversee complete B2B sales process, from initial contact through to deal closure. Manage all sales activities using Zoho CRM, including deal tracking, analytics and reporting. Maintain meticulous records and provide regular updates to Sales Manager and CEO.
• Remote Work and Time Management
• Targets and Reporting: Responsible for achieving weekly KPI's, quarterly and annual sales targets, weekly KPI's. Provide detailed monthly reporting, insights and feedback on client needs and competitor insights.
• Travel and Cold Calling: Calling and qualifying leads, weekly travel to schools and organizations for in-person meetings, networking events, and school events. Fulfill a weekly quota of telephonic cold calls to new prospects to expand client base.
• Documentation and Scheduling: Utilize Google Calendar to manage schedules and Google Sheets for reporting and proposal preparation. Work efficiently with Google Live Docs for real-time collaboration and document management.
• Budget Tracking and Management: Use Google Spreadsheets to record, track and manage COA Budget, manage and keep track of all expenditure and manage annual planning to ensure budgets aren't exceeded.
• Leadership of COA: As Chairman of COA, was responsible for vision, budget, planning and executing all duties

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience engaging with diverse stakeholders
• Proficient in using Zoho CRM, Asana, Slack, Google Docs, Google Calendar, and Google Sheets
• Proven ability to manage remote work effectively and meet deadlines
• Experienced in B2B sales, proposal development, and achieving sales targets
• Skilled in networking, presenting, and cold calling

My role demands high eq and insight to manage customer relationships, a high level of organization, attention to detail, and proactive engagement to ensure that educational institutions receive best possible solutions to support their objectives.

Phase Head Castle Babycare

As the Manager of Castle Babycare, I led a dedicated team to provide exceptional care and education to children, ensuring a nurturing and professional environment for both staff and families. My role involved comprehensive management duties, parent engagement, and maintaining the highest standards of service to stakeholders

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Managed a team of 15 staff members, ensuring efficient daily operations of Castle Babycare services. Provided guidance, conducted training, set goals, and developed individual and team success plans, all while ensuring adherence to safety and compliance standards.
• Parent Engagement: Built and maintained strong, trusting relationships with parents through ongoing communication, providing reassurance about their children's safety, well-being, and education. Facilitated a positive and supportive environment by addressing parent concerns promptly and effectively.
• Conflict Resolution: Mediated and resolved any parent concerns or misunderstandings with professionalism, maintaining strict confidentiality throughout the process. Demonstrated transparency, fairness, and accountability to earn the trust and respect of both parents and staff.
• Adaptability & Professionalism: Developed flexibility and professionalism in managing unforeseen circumstances, creating a calming environment for parents and staff alike. Fostered a collaborative work environment while maintaining appropriate boundaries and handling disciplinary matters when necessary.
• Child Interaction: Regularly interacted with children in classrooms and on the playground, building personal relationships with each child to ensure they felt secure and loved.
• Parent Interviews & Marketing: Conducted new parent interviews, sharing the school’s ethos and values to prospective parents, ensuring a professional and welcoming first impression.
• Reporting & Administration: Oversaw the accuracy and timely completion of school reports and comments. Managed all school WhatsApp groups, ensuring compliance with POPI (Protection of Personal Information) regulations and maintaining effective communication channels.

Skills Summary:

• Team Leadership & Management: Expertise in leading teams, setting goals, and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Parent Engagement & Communication: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with parents, addressing concerns effectively.
• Conflict Resolution & Mediation: Proficient in resolving conflicts and mediating discussions while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• Flexibility & Adaptability: Skilled in managing unexpected challenges with a calm and professional approach.
• Child Interaction: Experienced in engaging with children on a personal level, fostering a positive and secure environment.
• Interviewing & Marketing: Competent in conducting parent interviews and effectively marketing the school to prospective families.
• Administrative Skills: Adept in managing administrative tasks, including report oversight and digital communication compliance.
• Technical Proficiency: Knowledgeable in the use of digital platforms for communication and administration, including ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

• Following up on all outstanding school fees and following all legal processes pertaining thereto
• Doing Credit Checks on prospective families and based on the results thereof accepting or declining new applicants
• Using Excel and Pastel Evolution, to create spreadsheets to determine outstanding fees, phoning defaulters, and following up until fees were either paid or once all legal routes exhausted, families were given notice
• Having built relationship with our families, I found the transition extremely difficult, because I really cared for our children, and to then give families notice was heart-breaking
• However, I needed to remove my emotion from the process and follow the legal course until completion, with direction from our Head office legal department
• Ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and impartiality always, as well as stringently following the legal process
• Always ensuring the families were treated with respect and dignity during the process and that the children were never prejudiced.

• Assisted with walk in admissions, liaising with staff and parents
• Compiled all locum teaching schedules and ensured they ran smoothly
• Locum teaching when staff were off
• Worked on Pastel Evolution, Windows, Excel, Synergy
• Invigilating Exams
• Marketing of school on Open Days, and assisting with parent interviews
• Assisting Bursar with Debtors and Creditors, and when the Bursar left suddenly, I performed her duties for about 4 months until a suitable replacement was found
• Assisting learners with any needs they may have from assistance with subject choices, to counselling, to normal day to day queries and needs
• Establishing rapport with parents, and ensuring a relationship of trust was built, and that our parents knew we were worthy of their trust by being a woman of my word.

• Admin
• Invoicing and reconciling of payments
• Managing and balancing petty cash
• Liaising with clients
• Answering of phones
• Marketing new products to clients
• Supporting Sales Team
• PA to KZN Branch Manager
• Banking.

• Locum teaching of classes up to Grade R
• Fund Raising and Marketing
• Admin
• Invoicing and reconciling of school fees on Quick Books
• Managing and balancing petty cash
• Liaising with parents
• Answering of phones and dealing with parents queries.

• Collation of Financial Reports
• Researching Validity of Companies' Backgrounds
• Liaising with and Managing Out House Reporters
• Liaising with clients and ensuring deadlines were met
• Telephonic handling of new business and enquiries
• Marketing new products to clients
• Supporting and assisting Sales Team
• Obtaining Bank Codes /Deed Certificates/ Judgment Reports
• Maintaining Confidentiality always.