Ben: From Data Apprentice to Programme Manager at ApplianSys

Ben joined ApplianSys in 2022 as a Data Technician Apprentice, fresh out of his A-levels in English, Business, and Tourism. Drawn to the company by familiar faces and inspired by stories of apprentices who rose to managerial positions, Ben saw ApplianSys as the perfect launchpad for his career.

Why did you choose ApplianSys for your apprenticeship?

I was really inspired by the success stories at ApplianSys. Seeing how others started as apprentices and worked their way up to managers made me believe in my own potential here. The friendly environment and the opportunity to work with familiar faces also played a big role in my decision.

What's different from school?

At school, I focused mainly on my studies and had little exposure to the professional world. Here at ApplianSys, every task I complete contributes to real-world projects, impacting the company directly. It's rewarding to see how my work helps the company and our customers, and I appreciate the openness and transparency in how we operate – I get to see the bigger picture and understand how different parts of the company work together. Working here has also been a smooth transition to adult life, helping me navigate the professional world with greater confidence.

How do you find the work culture at ApplianSys?

The people here are amazing. Everyone is welcoming and eager to share their knowledge. The open and collaborative culture makes it easy to communicate and work with everyone, regardless of their role or level in the company. It's like being part of a big, supportive family where everyone is keen to help you succeed. The trust that others place in me has significantly boosted my confidence. Knowing that my colleagues believe in my abilities has helped me trust myself more.

What skills have you developed during your apprenticeship?

I've developed a broad range of skills, both professional and personal. From technical competencies in data management to soft skills like communication and teamwork, my growth here has been multifaceted. The performance management scheme has been particularly helpful in setting and achieving my goals. I'm especially proud of how I've managed to teach others – it's something I never thought I'd be good at, but ApplianSys has provided the perfect environment for me to thrive. Each new challenge here is an opportunity to expand my skill set. I'm now working on different subjects and exploring various departments, which gives me a true understanding of how a company operates.

Can you share a memorable moment from your time at ApplianSys?

One standout moment was being entrusted to lead a big project and be accountable for it just a year into my apprenticeship. It was a significant responsibility and came with a lot of pressure, but it was the good kind of pressure that pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and grow. This experience really underscored the trust ApplianSys places in its employees, even the juniors. It felt empowering to know that the company believed in my abilities.

How do you see your future with ApplianSys?

Although I'm early in my career, I can already see how the skills and experiences I'm gaining here will be invaluable in the future. The versatility of the job and the mix of challenges keep me engaged and constantly learning. Even if I eventually move on from ApplianSys, I'll carry with me a wealth of competencies and experiences that will serve me well in any role. I feel prepared for whatever comes next, thanks to the solid foundation I'm building here.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship at ApplianSys?

If you're someone who enjoys learning and taking on new challenges, ApplianSys is the place for you. The company offers a unique environment where everyone is expected to learn and grow, and opportunities to take on responsibility come early. The support from colleagues and the collaborative atmosphere makes it a great place to start and build your career.

Callum Haywood: From theory to real-world software development

Is being a developer at ApplianSys what you imagined it would be?

One of the most surprising aspects of the job is variety, in terms of the complexity and where, within the software, I'm working. In minutes I can go from tweaking a bit of JavaScript at the high end to investigating a bug deep in the system. If I'd found a web development job, it's likely I'd have been working at the high end all the time.

What's different from Uni?

The biggest difference is that my work is actually used... in the real world! At university I'd put a huge amount of time and effort into a project and I'd be really proud of the end-result. But the only other person who would see this is my lecturer and once the module was over, I'd not think of the project again. Now, every little thing I do makes it into a product that is deployed thousands of time, all over the world!

Is developing software for real a lonely job?

Whilst we don't explicitly do 'Peer Programming' we have a very collaborative team. Everyone's always turning around and nudging their neighbour for help. The whole team is happy to help each-other. We have a system of 'Code Reviews' whereby, before any code is committed to the system, a colleague checks it over to ensure the code remains consistent, coherent and human readable. I've even reviewed code from our Senior Developers and they all seem to value my input.

Outside the development team, what's it like at ApplianSys?

Everyone's very friendly and welcoming. The company is very 'open', we have a Monthly Team meeting where all sorts of information is shared that I would have assumed would be kept under-wraps. Because I know how we're performing financially, where our sales are coming from and any issues we've had in Operations, I can really see the impact that we have on each other's work. That's fascinating!

What skills have you developed whilst at ApplianSys?

Managing time is a big deal. Obviously, I had to stick to deadlines at Uni, but they tended to be further in the future for bigger tasks. In the real world you have far more smaller tasks, each with it's own deadline. It's really highlighted the value of time and shown me how much can be accomplished in a comparatively short space of time.

Where can your career at ApplianSys go from here?

Well, I've been here less than 1 year so initially I expect to continue doing what I'm doing right now but faster, better and on even more complex tasks. One of the best things about our Development team is that everything is out in the open so I have visibility of engineering direction and can contribute to the thinking on things like System Design and Architecture. Perhaps I'll move on to take responsibility for those areas in future.

Amna Ali feeds her thirst for knowledge

What led you to a career in tech?

I wanted to work with technology since middle school. I read a book about Thomas Edison and was immediately attracted to understanding how things work. And, in network technology, the answers are rarely simple so it provides an ongoing challenge that I find really satisfying.

ApplianSys products need to interact with a range of solutions from other vendors, so I'm on a constant learning curve, maintaining at least a little knowledge about lots of products.

So you spend all of your time fixing problems for customers?

No, there's a lot of collaboration with teams across ApplianSys. And ApplianSys has a very open culture so anyone in a team has a good view of what's happening elsewhere.

We work with product developers in cases where a customer highlights a deeper issue with a product or if it needs in-depth technical understanding. Here, developers explain what they're doing to resolve an issue & how they fixed it. Similarly, because we talk to customers throughout the day, we often relay new requirements / products suggestions to them.

Teamwork isn't limited to technical colleagues. We work with salespeople on complex opportunities, consulting with prospective customers on how our solutions will operate in their networks.

What are ApplianSys customers like?

Because ApplianSys has customers all around the world, I speak to a huge variety of people on a daily basis. In other places you might find yourself working in teams that only support customers from a specific geography. I'm attracted to different cultures and like to know people all over the world, so this is really satisyfing.

Support at ApplianSys is at least a 50/50 split between problem solving and customer service, especially as our customers have a huge range of technical expertise. Elsewhere, nearly all of my customers have been very technical: they would often understand my products as well as I did. Because ApplianSys products are designed for all levels of expertise, some of our customers have quite low technical knowledge so you need to think carefully about how to best communicate with any one customer.

What would a candidate need to succeed at ApplianSys?

Most important is a desire to learn. You won't learn about web caching at university so there is a lot to learn during induction, and you need to keep learning every single day.

Sometimes it's necessary to work overtime to help a customer - so you need that level of commitment, and feel proud of a job well done.

Chris Newman gets the genuine challenge he needed for career progression

Is ApplianSys what you expected before you joined?

You take the things that an employer tells you during an interview with a big pinch of salt. I'd heard that ApplianSys takes personal development seriously, seriously rewards hard work and will be a properly stretching challenge. 5 years in, I can honestly say these are all true!

In what ways has ApplianSys developed you?

It's more that the company culture and appraisal processes are structured to help you develop yourself. Appraisals are not the quick sit down with your line manager, check how things have gone and get a 2% payrise whether you've earned it or not. It's a genuine 360 degree appraisal in which you get in-depth feedback from around the business on your performance against a large set of metrics. The culture is such that everyone is comfortable giving helpful criticism and the plans you make during review with your line manager are broken down into monthly milestones allowing for quick check on progress throughout the month. So there's little guesswork involved in how you've developed.

Does that make it harder to get pay-rises?

Perhaps. In fact, payrises are not strictly tied to the Appraisal process, you can earn them at any time though hard work and accomplishments. At one point I earned 3 payrises within about 18 months and these were each double digit raises. And because nobody gets rewarded for the sake of it, you can be satisfied that you've genuinely 'earned' your raise. The personal development and reward systems are properly linked. Having recognised previous achievements, the company systematically raises the bar needed to achieve more and I get clear direction from my boss about the specific improvements needed to do so.

What do you like about working at ApplianSys?

For me, the high degree of transparency is key. Where I may previously have had the 'freedom' to influence, a lack of visibility has made that impossible to achieve in practice. At ApplianSys, data on activity across the company is freely communicated, colleagues at all levels are easily accessible and sharing knowledge or ideas is actively encouraged. So, when I spot competitors doing something unusual or opportunities for New Product Development it's easy for me to open discussions with the right colleagues even when that's the CEO. And there are tools and processes in place for these to be discussed, actioned quickly or recorded and parked for a rainy day.

How have you developed at ApplianSys?

Marketing at ApplianSys is very hands on with little agency use, so I've continued to improve core skills. But most importantly, the collaborative nature of the company has given plenty of opportunity to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Large projects gave first exposure to line management activity and I've gone on to lead the marketing team, with a great deal of training (and no small amount of patience) from other ApplianSys leaders. We have regular management training sessions in which we share experiences, challenges and successes. So I've learned from those with more experience and from those with less.

I've also led New Product Development activity which is hugely exciting and not the kind of entreprenuerial tech experience I expected from a relatively humble office in Coventry! The company operates in extremely competitive markets, often against far better funded competitors so beating them with solutions that you've genuinely helped to build is hugely satisfying.

Alastair Scobbie: Personal development and progression opportunities for the long term

What attracted you to working at ApplianSys?

When I first joined ApplianSys in 2011, I was 16, fresh out of school and eager to dive into the professional world. I started as an Operations apprentice, where I quickly found myself in an environment rich with opportunities to learn and grow.

ApplianSys stands out for its dynamic environment and commitment to empowering young professionals by offering real responsibilities early on. The company rewards hard work, good performance and loyalty with trust and opportunities, and has always encouraged me to be ambitious for my life and career.

Describe your journey at ApplianSys.

My journey at ApplianSys has been incredibly varied and fulfilling. I started as an Operations apprentice and quickly advanced to become department Team Leader, gaining valuable insights into leadership and operational management. Over time, I transitioned into the role of Operations Manager, where I oversaw production schedules, managed logistics, and even spearheaded our office relocation project and Information Systems developments.

After 7 years growing into my career in Operations, I was given the opportunity to shift with my long term career progression in mind. I was made the company Accountant, so I had to learn book-keeping and management accounting fast! This was a chance to expand my skill set in a completely different area. My interest in numbers made this transition both exciting and smooth.

After a few years, I shifted again into Sales – something I would never have imagined when I left school! I started as a Customer Account Manager, leveraging my operational and financial insights to better serve our customers. As my sales skills developed, I advanced into Sales Account Manager role, combining my extensive product knowledge with a deep understanding of how the company operates. It turns out, I love sales as a job, as it combines thinking on so many levels with lots of people interaction, is goal oriented, so I can always see progress, and I can be effective because I already have so much knowledge about our products and company.

What skills and attributes contributed to your progression?

Throughout my time at ApplianSys, a consistent theme has been my curiosity and input into the company as a whole rather than just sticking to my assigned role. Whether it was in operations, accounting, or sales, I always sought to understand the bigger picture and how I could contribute more effectively. This approach has helped me adapt to different roles and responsibilities. I believe that my ability to learn quickly, coupled with a genuine interest in the company's success, has been crucial. Read more...

The company has a lot in place to support your development. I am quite good at being honest and open, including with myself and my supporting managers. So this has been important to making those conversations about my development and continuous improvement good ones.

How did ApplianSys support your development?

ApplianSys cares about the development of its people, particularly young people. Many companies will say this, but inside ApplianSys it soon becomes obvious that senior managers have been deliberate in making this a reality via the systems and culture they have created over the years. Read more...

Central in this is the people side of its performance management framework, which first got Investors in People accreditation when the company was tiny back in 2006. So I am talking about the processes which guide personal development and link it to personal objectives and performance – it's very joined up. It stems from the appraisal process, which is very development focused and forward looking and outputs annual and quarterly iterations of our personal development plans.

My managers did not just focus on me improving the competencies I needed for the immediate role, but emphasised me building strengths and addressing weaknesses with an eye on the long term. For example, in my early 20s my manager identified that leaving school at 16, I was good at solving "simple" problems, but less so at "complex" or "difficult" problems, compared perhaps with a typical graduate who has learned to play with abstraction and use frameworks more via studying for a degree. So he focused on explicitly teaching me to "handle complexity".

Using the appraisal process, our culture sees managers focusing on the whole person. The annual conversation starts with a review of our life goals, then career goals, longer term motivations and then moves on to focus on the detail of where we are now.

This general approach is something I have truly valued as I have moved through my teens and my twenties and dealt with all the maturing processes and life events that involves. In my case, the conversation has always included pushing me to aim high and fulfil my potential and life dreams. The long-term vision has always been on me developing as a manager generally, potentially someone who could run a business one day.

So specifically, my long-term development was first supported by being given management responsibility very early. At 20, I was included in the company management team and my line manager was the CEO. The company is very transparent and shares the big picture with everyone anyway, but this meant I was inside the management tent and learned a lot.

After that, I did not just advance vertically in the one function, but after a few years in one function made lateral moves, embracing different positions and broadening the scope of responsibilities. This multifaceted development approach has not only broadened my skill set but also deepened my appreciation for how different aspects of the business interconnect.

It has made me a much broader business person, rather than simply a functional expert at a relatively young age. So I continue to be on track for senior general management roles in the future.

What advice would you give to someone considering a role at ApplianSys?

If you're someone who thrives on variety and enjoys stepping out of your comfort zone, ApplianSys is the place for you. The company values individuals who are eager to learn and aren't afraid to take on new challenges. Here, the more you invest in your work, the more opportunities you'll receive in return. It's a place where your efforts are genuinely recognized, and the small company size allows you to see the direct results of your contributions. The opportunities here came from showing interest and going the extra mile, so be proactive and take charge of your own development journey.

For people like me who start at the beginning, my case shows that it does not just develop young professionals over the medium term of a single job role of a few years, but also supports and encourages the development of people over the long term as they mature.

Alex: From Apprentice to Sales with a Passion for Problem-Solving

Alex started his journey with ApplianSys as a business admin/customer service apprentice, who was shy and lacking in confidence, and since then he has truly developed personally. Initially, he didn't see himself in sales at all. However, ApplianSys' belief in investing in people allowed him to explore various roles, leading to a supportive and natural progression into sales.

Why did you leave ApplianSys in 2019, and what brought you back?

I left ApplianSys in 2019 for personal reasons, I worked as a Purchase Ledger Assistant in Cardiff. However, I always missed the unique culture and opportunities at ApplianSys. In 2021, I returned as a Customer Account Manager, and it felt like coming home. The company's commitment to personal and professional growth was something I didn't find elsewhere.

What attracted you to working at ApplianSys?

I began my journey at ApplianSys as a business admin / customer service apprentice. I was drawn to the company because it offered real, hands-on experience, and working with customers across the world was a big attraction. The environment here is incredibly supportive, and I appreciated how ApplianSys valued practical skills and a willingness to learn over formal education. When I rejoined, the welcoming and familiar environment of ApplianSys was a major draw for me. I was excited about the opportunities for personal growth and the supportive, steady pace at which I could advance in my career.

How did your journey at ApplianSys unfold?

When I first started at ApplianSys I didn't think sales was for me, but the open-mindedness at ApplianSys allowed me to explore it and find out what it was really about. My progression within the company felt very natural, and it wasn't long before I transitioned from customer service to customer account management to sales. The journey wasn't rushed; I was given the time and space to learn and grow at my own pace, which was a big factor in my success.

How did ApplianSys support your growth in sales?

At ApplianSys, sales training is mostly done internally by experienced managers, who have real world experience in sales, which creates a very supportive and continuous learning environment. We also receive external training sessions, but what I value most is the internal coaching and the freedom to develop at my own pace. This approach has significantly contributed to my development in sales.

What makes the sales environment at ApplianSys unique?

Unlike many sales departments where you're pressured to meet targets or risk losing your job, ApplianSys provides a supportive environment where you're encouraged to learn and improve over time. The focus here is on deep sales, meaning we can really get to know our customers and tailor our approach without the constant pressure of immediate results.

Salespeople are responsible for the entire customer journey, allowing us to build strong, personalized relationships and truly understand our customers' needs. This holistic approach to sales is both intellectually rewarding and fulfilling.

What do you like most about working at ApplianSys?

I appreciate the open communication with managers and colleagues, which makes it easy to discuss ideas and seek feedback. The company's flexible structure means that our responsibilities can evolve based on our preferences and strengths. This flexibility, combined with the strong sense of community and support across departments, makes ApplianSys a fantastic place to work.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career at ApplianSys?

If you're motivated and eager to learn, ApplianSys is a great place to build a career, regardless of your background. The company values practical skills and a proactive attitude over formal education, which creates a diverse and dynamic team. The supportive environment, combined with the opportunity for continuous learning and growth, makes it a truly unique workplace.