Day 2

Today I was focused on the EPB profiles, I had to see who didn't have one and find and resent picture of them for the website. The criteria was very specific so the photos were very hard to find. This included:

• A plain white background
• Slightly facing the left
• Had to look very professional

Many had had pictures taken in the past however without a white background and a photographer wasn't planned for the near future. Therefore, I was assisted while editing the background of the pictures I had chosen on Photoshop.

In the afternoon, I went to a venue in Hyde Park called The LookOut to view for an event. This is a very open planned space used as a nursery but that can also be used to host events especially in the summer months due to it having a lovely outdoors space. However, for what we wanted to do this was not ideal.

My Timetable

As I am only doing a month placement there is a lot to fit into my timetable so I benefit most from my time at RLB.

I start work at 9:00, have 1 hour for lunch (normally taken between 12-2) and finish at 5:30. Meaning I work for 7.5 hours a day. Due to not living in central London, I have to get the over ground in every morning to Euston Station, then change to get to Liverpool Street Station with a quick 2 minute walk to the office. I have to wake up at around 6:30 and get the 7:13 train in order to arrive on time.

As soon as I arrived I was given a clear schedule of what I would be doing each week with a large variation and a clear target.

Marketing is a very broad subject therefore within a business consists of many different things, which are shown in my timetable:

• Create a slide show with photos and facts for the 10 year anniversary
• Re-organise sector hubs with correct naming conventions Update templates with new 2017 logos
• EPB profiles on the website updating with new pictures and CVs for those who don't have one
• Create a Full Competitor Analysis on PowerPoint to present at the end of placement
• Review and remove old photos of Directors and Partners
• Edit Photos to make them more professional and appropriate
• Create a Blog to present at the end of placement
• Social Media- Twitter and LinkedIn

First Day

Today when I arrived, I was given many pieces of paper explaining the London office and the procedures. Common things such as appearance and dress, how to use the printer and photocopier and security of the building. Then I was given a booklet about my placement, who I would be working with and key information.

RLB have a placement student support system which made me feel even for comfortable in my surroundings. This is someone you work close with throughout the placement, and who you can go to with any issues or concerns. This is also known as a Buddy.

I was also given a company laptop to complete my work on while on my placement, and was then shown how to use outlook (emailing program), The Hub (Internet based hub, available to all employees) and Folio (where all documents are stored online). All programs I am not very familiar with.


Due to having been given all my tasks at the beginning of the placement, I started with a range of things so I could of a feel of the amount of material I had to complete in my time at RLB.


The people sitting around me were all doing different things and tried to give me a taste of their work as well, showing me their computer screens and work that they thought would interest me.

First Impressions:

Everyone in the office is really friendly. Due to it being open planned, all sectors of the company have a designated sitting place but due to it being in one room it is very relaxed. Therefore, everyone can see everyone. Many people walked passed asking if I wanted a drink, which I thought was really nice and welcoming.

What I want to get out of my placement/ take away from it:

Being a global company RLB with more than 120 offices across the world this really appealed to me when applying for this placement.

Due to not doing a placement year at university, I need experience within the work place in order to stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs in the future. Therefore I thought if I started in my first year I could try and experience different industries within my 3 year course.

I have never been in a office based environment before, so this will be very new to me.

The things I want to take away from this placement are:

• Insight into the real business world/ Construction industry
• New skills within the marketing sector
• How my degree would fit into the real life situations
• What it entails to be part of a marketing department

About The Company

Rider Levett Bucknall is a leading independent organisation in cost management and quantity surveying, project management and advisory services.

And are known for the following achievements from the early days of pioneering quantity surveying, to landmark projects such as:

• The Sydney Opera House
• HSBC Headquarters Building in Hong Kong
• The 2012 London Olympic Games
• CityCenter in Las Vegas

While on my placement I will be based in the London office just off from Liverpool Street Station.