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Angela Blake
I am currently employed at the Japanese trade and investment promotional governmental agency, JETRO (JAPAN EXTERNAL TRADE ORGANIZATION), as a Marketing and Projects Coordinator. JETRO is a government-related organization which forms part of METI (Japan's Ministry of Economics Trade and Industry) that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. My current role allows me the chance to manage projects, research and network, which I thoroughly enjoy.
Show profile Hide profileMy interests and career experience span from graduating with a degree in dance, to teaching at a high school, to a branch manager role for a student staffing and activations company, to operations manager for large exhibitions / trade shows. I am now a projects coordinator in a government investment promotions agency, namely JETRO (JAPAN EXTERNAL TRADE ORGANIZATION). In retrospect, I am able to see how the skills applied in all these roles, were those acquired and applied at university in my studies - namely research, technical and analytical, spatial / abstract and finally project management. I am also in a position now to review how I have very successfully learned many of my current skills on the job. My working style is an integrative, strategic and holistic one, in that I approach my role from the viewpoint of wanting to ascertain where and how my direct tasks and responsibilities impact and align with others departments / roles, and how to better align these into the bigger picture / vision for the best end result. I work with my short-term and long-term vision running parallel simultaneously. My current role relies on the skills in my previous positions, yet also allows me the chance to research and network at government, embassy and NGO level, which I thoroughly enjoy. I am academic, operational, creative and entrepreneurial / strategic in nature and spirit and enjoy the chance to be able to merge these sides into my job.
My position at IIR did not exist before I arrived at the company, rather it was one that I was tasked to create from scratch. In the process I learned an enormous amount regarding the events & exhibitions industry. I had the privilege of building strong loyal relationships with my suppliers, clients and colleagues - and the coordination of these relationships in securing successful events. I have built a strong network which I hope to continue maintaining and growing further. I enjoyed the scope of Operations Manager in that it encompassed strategic thinking, problem solving, liaising and motivating inter-departmentally the event's team, as well as inspiring the clients to engage actively and creatively in order to gain their own final result from the events they sponsored. I worked closely with the marketing department on materials that went out, often creating my own material to distribute directly to exhibitors. I supported this role by acting as a representative for event organisers on the EXSA board, a position I filled from January 2011 to January 2012. I was also awarded the IIR Employee of the Year Award in November 2011.
My goal is to continue learning, exploring and creating in the workplace. I strive to marry my spatial / abstract / strategic thinking abilities with my analytical / logical ones to achieve a balanced approach to my work. I have recently completed the PMI accredited Project Management Professional (PMP) Preparatory Course in March 2015. I am also investigating current accredited Digital Marketing qualifications to become more formally proficient in the digital and social media landscape.
My interests and career experience span from graduating with a degree in dance, to teaching at a high school, to a branch manager role for a student staffing and activations company, to operations manager for large exhibitions / trade shows. I am now a projects coordinator in a government investment promotions agency, namely JETRO (JAPAN EXTERNAL TRADE ORGANIZATION). In retrospect, I am able to see how the skills applied in all these roles, were those acquired and applied at university in my studies - namely research, technical and analytical, spatial / abstract and finally project management. I am also in a position now to review how I have very successfully learned many of my current skills on the job. My working style is an integrative, strategic and holistic one, in that I approach my role from the viewpoint of wanting to ascertain where and how my direct tasks and responsibilities impact and align with others departments / roles, and how to better align these into the bigger picture / vision for the best end result. I work with my short-term and long-term vision running parallel simultaneously. My current role relies on the skills in my previous positions, yet also allows me the chance to research and network at government, embassy and NGO level, which I thoroughly enjoy. I am academic, operational, creative and entrepreneurial / strategic in nature and spirit and enjoy the chance to be able to merge these sides into my job.
My position at IIR did not exist before I arrived at the company, rather it was one that I was tasked to create from scratch. In the process I learned an enormous amount regarding the events & exhibitions industry. I had the privilege of building strong loyal relationships with my suppliers, clients and colleagues - and the coordination of these relationships in securing successful events. I have built a strong network which I hope to continue maintaining and growing further. I enjoyed the scope of Operations Manager in that it encompassed strategic thinking, problem solving, liaising and motivating inter-departmentally the event's team, as well as inspiring the clients to engage actively and creatively in order to gain their own final result from the events they sponsored. I worked closely with the marketing department on materials that went out, often creating my own material to distribute directly to exhibitors. I supported this role by acting as a representative for event organisers on the EXSA board, a position I filled from January 2011 to January 2012. I was also awarded the IIR Employee of the Year Award in November 2011.
My goal is to continue learning, exploring and creating in the workplace. I strive to marry my spatial / abstract / strategic thinking abilities with my analytical / logical ones to achieve a balanced approach to my work. I have recently completed the PMI accredited Project Management Professional (PMP) Preparatory Course in March 2015. I am also investigating current accredited Digital Marketing qualifications to become more formally proficient in the digital and social media landscape.
