Mark has a background in the armed forces and was well aware of Lidl from his time growing up in Germany. He’s not only developed personally but supported others to develop as well.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
In my spare time, I like to play a lot of rugby, I coach my two boys and I also play for our team in the local area.
I'm most passionate about the development of my two young boys and being a real role model, investing my time in their progression and how they can be better adults in the future. My role model is actually my father. It took me a long time to realise how much it takes to be a dad and the amount of time and investment he put into me as an individual. And I didn't really appreciate it until I became a father myself.
I'd say my strengths are that I'm a I'm a real team player. I want to look for opportunities to make people's lives better and can I make my life easier, I’m also quite decisive. I like to make decisions quickly. I also like to collaborate with others and really get to the crux of the issue and work out together.
How did you hear about the Lidl Graduate Programme?
My previous background was I was in the armed forces. I also grew up overseas in Germany, and Lidl was a was a brand that I was obviously aware of. I used to love going out with my parents and shopping, and it was definitely something that was on the forefront of my mind as I was going through my degree process within the services.
Towards the end of my degree, I wanted to expand upon my experience and translate that into the civilian world, and I thought that Lidl was the right employer and brand for that. They had a great reputation and I felt like I could really develop in this organisation. So I took the plunge and I applied!
How would you describe your Grad programme?
I would describe my grad programme as challenging, but fun.
It's really given me an insight into how such a large-scale organisation operates, and how I can apply what I learn, not just in a professional manner, but in a personal manner as well. It's given me a real balance and structure to how I want to operate in the future.
I think the program is and isn't what I expected. I expected it to be challenging and to learn a lot about the business, but actually it's given me way more. There’s the opportunity to go and visit other locations and understand how they operate - there's so much room to manoeuvre. People are always willing to answer questions outside of their remit which is great.
It’sgiven me a real opportunity to develop who I am and actually highlighted skills I didn't know I had. I didn't realise how focused I was on efficiencies; how we can save time, money, make jobs easier for people. How I can make someone's life better just by changing something in the business or having the right conversations. I've really enjoyed it.
How do you get on with the other Grads?
I get on really well with the other grads. I share the grad program with another grad here in Peterborough, and we have a very strong relationship in which we can float ideas around how the program is structured, and what we're doing day to day. There are opportunities to find out what she may have learned that I haven’t, and then she will then teach me I'll do the same for her. That’s the same for the other grads around the country. If I have an issue I can reach out to another grad. And they're always willing to help. I think I get on really well with them.
What traits do you think make a good Lidl grad?
I think being flexible, being adaptive, and being willing to collaborate. Things aren't always going to go as smoothly as you predict. And it's just about having those open conversations and figuring, out as a team, how do you work those inefficiencies out, how do you iron out those issues and make life easier and better for everyone else. I think a grad with solid, flexible ways of working and an understanding of how other people and other cultures operate is really beneficial for the program and for the business.
What excites you most about your future with Lidl?
The thing I'm most excited about for my future with Lidl is opportunity. I really want to expand my knowledge of how the business works holistically, and I've still got time in the grad program to understand how other departments work. But there's definitely scope for me to move around and really understand from different perspectives what works for them and what doesn’t. So now I have a better understanding of the business and I can kind of strive for what I want to do in the future.
What words would you use to describe Lidl?
Opportunity, challenging and rewarding.