This great piece was written by a very talented GCSE student, Tegan, who recently joined us for a week of work experience during which she spent a day with Mondrem's Events Marketing Lead, Norbert de la Mara.
07:00
Crash! A trotter slams down on the screeching alarm clock; a curly tail is forced from the comfort of the warm bed, and a slice of sun peaks through the curtains. Clouds of dust hover in the air, now illuminated, fighting off the lingering shadows. The icy shock of splashing water onto his face sends a chill down his spine – he is awakened.
Norbert de la Mara has started the day.
With a yawn and a stretch, Norbert (the t is silent - it’s French) finds two, inky black eyes staring back at him in the mirror. His complexion is perfect, as usual, sporting a rosy glow; his ears are just the right amount of floppy. He grins and trots contently out of the bathroom.
Here comes his favourite part of his morning.
Swinging open the wooden door of his wardrobe, a bouquet of bountiful beauties greets him, casting rainbows of colour around the room. Crimson, cerulean and veridian beams of light radiate around him. A ring of rubies rest atop a silver band to his left, a nest of sapphires to his right - how could choose just one? But the golden crown in laced with emeralds in front of him captures his heart He places it daintily on his head, knowing he will be the best dressed in the office today.
He devours some fruit and cereal and sets off for work bright and early to beat the traffic. As it is a Monday, he decides to treat himself to a cheeky cup of popcorn as he drives.
Gazing out of the window, his route takes him past Delamare Forest, a place of deep sentimental significance for Norbert, and he ponders for a while over his heritage. Once vast and bustling with life, the ancient forests of Mara and Mondrem were home to his ancestors: the wild boar. Freed from domestication, free-spirited scavengers, they ran unchallenged through the forests of Cheshire during the medieval era. Norbert laughs sardonically to himself as he thinks of his life indoors, yet is comforted by the knowledge he is putting good out into the world through his job.
He pulls up in his designated spot in Keele University’s Science and Innovation Park, ready for a new day with Mondrem Group.
08:00
Norbert is greeted by the sounds of gasps as he enters the office. His colleagues gawp at his headpiece in awe, then quickly remember to close their jaws, and they smile at him. Good ol’ Norbert. He passes the founder of Mondrem Group, Mike Astbury, who chuckles, as he sits at his desk.
Norbert opens Capsule, the CRM tool Mondrem CIC use to gather their customer interactions and spends some time reading emails and tying up loose ends from last week’s work. The office is quiet, but there is a productive atmosphere as the team settle into their work. Keyboards rattle, mice click. He sips his coffee and joins the daily brief, an online meeting where everyone can share what they are doing and any support they may need. The headset is a tight squeeze over the tiara, but Norbert manages it.
10:00
In the Winter Garden Meeting Room, Norbert is joined by fellow marketing coordinator at Mondrem CIC, Izzi.
He fires up the big screen and together they review the week’s progress, launch new projects and set deadlines. This week they are to focus on a new social media presence for the business – which Izzi is more than happy to manage - to reach more potential customers and gain interest from the public. Of course, Norbert is an expert in this field, with thousands of followers supporting his digital campaign to overcome gender stereotypes (another reason he loves his tiaras), but he decides to sit this one out. Instead he sets his own goals in planning the company’s next event.
After reaching a shared understanding, they draw the meeting to a close and return to the office.
12:00
Lunchtime!
The canteen in the neighbouring building sell sandwiches and snacks so he heads over and finds a seat. As he nibbles a cheese roll, he observes the diversity of people at Keele. Students, lecturers, business owners and staff all chat about their days and news. He reads the inspirational poem on the wall above him and marvels over how fortunate he is to be surrounded by so much innovation. He asks himself how he can ’break the mould’ - though perhaps he already is.
13:00
This afternoon Norbert is tackling the ‘e’ in the company’s “FOREST” methodology, meaning ‘effect’, or simply put, making change. He does this by mapping out the different events Mondrem could host to engage with customers and attract others to use their services.
Perhaps a grand ball would be fun? Perhaps not, that felt too old-fashioned.
What about a dinner? Possibly, but he wants something where people were free to mingle and chat easily.
Then it hits him - a party!
He would have to convince Mike first, so he orders a box of party hats before pausing his research there.
16:00
To ensure he is working at his best, Norbert takes a short break from his computer and takes some time to look after his wellbeing. He does this by visiting one of Nurture CIC’s projects, not far away on the Science and Innovation Park. It is a place of rich biodiversity and almost as colourful as his wardrobe.
The Woodmeadow Walk is gorgeous in the summer sun. A gentle breeze causes the long grass to sway. Bees and butterflies drift from flower to flower. He takes a deep breath in this place of happiness. Not a single cloud is in the sky and the sound of chirping birds fills the air while he takes a casual stroll.
17:00
Time for a catch up with Mike before he leaves the office. Norbert pours his finest persuasion tactics into his latest pitch and Mike says he’ll think about it. He tries to hide a smile as he can see his boss getting increasingly excited by his idea - but it’s too soon to tell.
He says goodbye to the team, satisfied he has completed a good day’s work.
18:00
The drive home flies by, and Norbert de le Mara looks forward to a long, hot mud bath.
Until tomorrow, when he gets to do it all over again!
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