CAREER DEVELOPMENTCASE STUDY

Tell us about your role as Customer ServicesDevelopment Manager

I line manage and mentor all designers and developers inthe Customer Services Team. As part of my role, Icoordinate all design and development resource for theHelpdesk and all customer account work, ensuring thatwe can service our customers and accounts effectively. Iwear a number of other hats including generating allcustomer account quotes, writing specifications andwhen the scheduling allows, some development too.

Tell us about your background and education

Right from GCSE level I was interested in computing andhave always enjoyed programming in a number ofdifferent languages. Therefore, I studied ComputerScience at De Montfort University, then went straightinto a Progress Development role at a Leicester-basedcompany after graduating. After this I joined PrimaSolutions which offered new opportunities andchallenges, so have always been involved in thedevelopment of Progress software in particularthroughout my career.

What does your Prima Journey look like?

I started at Prima Solutions as a Progress Developer,and was then encouraged to move into design andspecification writing. I was given the opportunity tomentor new developers and designers, graduallytaking on more responsibilities such as helping themwith their Personal Development Plans. As part ofthe design role, I began to take a senior position andgot involved in creating quotes for various customerrequirements across Customer Services.

I was then given the opportunity to line manage thedevelopment and design resource in the CustomerServices Team, with Andrew Gretton managing thesupport half of the Customer Services Team. Thecreation of the Operational Management Team alsoallowed me to ensure the coordination of standardsand quality across all areas of the business.

What has allowed your career to develop here?

Quite simply, it's the supportive managementstructure. The directors are very open and genuinelybelieve in people (and my natural talents of course!).

With genuine support for career progression andtools such as the Personal Development Plan, youhave real opportunities to shine, but ultimately it's upto the individual to show what they can do.

There's also a great bunch of people that work hereand everyone is approachable. This supportiveworking environment is another big contribution topeople's career development here.

How has working at Prima benefited your career?

To get up to management level in such a short spaceof time has only been possible in the way that PrimaSolutions has supported me in my career. Althoughit's been a challenge to get where I am today, I cansafely say that I'm never going to get bored at Prima!

YASSIR HUSSAINCUSTOMER SERVICES DEVELOPMENT MANAGER