Portfolio
Dane Merkel
Contents
1. Business plan
2. Application for employment
3. Reflective paper
4. 2x Engineering competency claims
S0229422
Term 1 - 2014
Business Plan
The business:
Business name: Albury PC Repairs
Owner: Dane Merkel
Albury PC repairs will offer professional computer services to the general public and small
businesses at a competitive price. Services will available in store and onsite. Custom
computers will be built to give customers the freedom to select the product that suits them.
Customers will be able to purchase individual hardware components, peripherals, OEM and
retail software, cables and consumables such as printer cartridges.
A $60,000 loan has been approved to start the business at 4A / 520 Swift Street, Albury.
Loan repayments are $994.52 per month based on a ten year business loan from Hume
Building Society with a fixed interest rate of 9.95%. The current IT business at the location is
closing due to the owner retiring. He has agreed to sell his current assets and customer
base for a total of $70,000 meaning no additional equipment is required to start the
business. The extra capital will be supplied by the manager of Albury PC repairs.
The vision of Albury PC repairs is to provide honest reliable service to customers of Albury /
Wodonga. There has recently been a number of IT businesses closing in the area providing
an opening in the marketing mix to compete with the large retail store. Customers will
choose Albury PC repairs due to the personalised service and high quality products they
receive compared to a retail store.
It is expected that while some of the customer base is lost to competitors, additional
customers from recently closed stores will be picked up. The population of Albury Wodonga
was over 100,000 at the last consensus. It is estimated that from this at least 70% of the
population owns a minimum of one computer that will require a service every 18 months.
Albury PC repairs aims to achieve 10% market penetration of the PC service market and 1%
of PC sales within the first five years of operating.
To achieve this three staff members will be employed to help provide these services.
1. Receptionist
The receptionist will be the first point of contact for customers. She will be responsible for
taking phone calls, taking messages, assisting customers in store, book keeping and
assisting with day to day operations.
The receptionist will complete Certificate IV in Accounting through Riverina Tafe in Albury.
Through this course the receptionist will be trained to use MYOB and accounting
procedures.
2. Qualified IT technician
A technician with Certificate IV in IT will be responsible for on-site service, supervising the
trainee IT technician in store and providing technical advice to customers by phone and in
store.
The qualified IT technician will complete a Diploma of IT (Networking) through Riverina Tafe
in Albury. This course will further develop the skills of the employee.
3. Trainee IT technician
A trainee will be employed to assist in day to day store operation, assisting with customer
enquiries and repairing computers under the supervision of the qualified IT technician. The
trainee will complete Certificate IV in IT through Riverina Tafe in Albury. Upon completion
the trainee will become qualified and have the option to progress to a Diploma in IT
(Networking).
After three years a new trainee IT technician will be employed to assist with the growing
demand on the business. The manager will complete a Diploma of Management through
Riverina Tafe in Albury. Upon completion further courses may be undertaken.
Market analysis:
Due to technological advances and the need to own a computer the IT industry is growing
stronger. By targeting sections of the market that are currently under utilised or non existent
in the area the business will increase its market penetration. No competitor in the market
currently builds complete custom systems to suit a customers needs, and small businesses
are being over charged on consumables. The top three competitors have been analysed on
their level of service, product quality, price and reputation.
1. Harvey Norman
Level of service: 2/10
Harvey Norman staff aim to sell a product to the customer and care about the customers
needs. They will often upsell to a customer that is unaware of exactly what they are buying.
The service is very impersonal.
Product quality: 5/10
Harvey Norman sells packaged brand name computers that often come with limited warranty
and obsolete parts. While excellent quality PCs can be purchased, there is a large cost
associated with a brand name and it is hard to customise these PCs to suit the customers
needs.
Price: 9/10
Harvey Norman has large buying power allowing it to sell products much cheaper than most.
They often have sales with prices Albury PC repair will not be able to compete with, however
they overcharge on consumables and software.
Reputation: 9/10
Harvey Norman has the reputation of being a cheap and fast solution. Due to their brand
awareness they are often the first choice that comes to mind when a customer needs a new
PC, however they dont offer PC repair or service.
Reputation: 8/10
Border Discount Computers has an excellent reputation for service and new computers,
however is located in West Albury reducing the impact they will have on my business.
If Albury PC Repairs can match the above companies while addressing their weaknesses
the business will build its customer base and become successful.
SWOT analysis:
Strengths:
Business already has large customer
base.
Unique services to be provided.
Qualified staff to provide excellent
service.
All equipment provided with the
business
Excellent communication skills
Opportunities:
Large customer base, other stores
closing gives the opportunity to grow
Customer satisfaction is low in the
area, please a customer and they are
likely to return.
Chance to learn new skills.
Weaknesses:
Lack of business experience
Young customers may feel I am
inexperienced
Little accounting background.
Poor budgeting skills.
Small operating budget for first year.
Threats:
Competitors in particular, large
retail stores. It is hard to compete
with their buying power.
Unqualified staff may be difficult to
train.
Marketing Plan:
Marketing for the first year will be provided predominately by word of mouth. 1000 business
cards will be printed by Sign-a-rama, a local company for $187. Once the business develops
and some free cash flow develops, advertising in the phone book will be utilised. After three
years expenditure will move to either television and / or radio advertising to increase brand
awareness.
Operating Plan:
Albury PC Repairs will operate on a cash on delivery basis for service and a cash on order
for new PCs. Business customers will be allowed 7 days to pay accounts. Services will be
charged at a fixed price with a free quote to be provided to customers with an average price
of $199. A 30 day quality guarantee will be provided on all services and full manufacturers
warranty on all products. Customers will be willing to pay slightly higher prices for the level of
service they receive at Albury PC Repairs compared to competitors.
Mark up on hardware products will be between 15-30% and 60-70% on consumables. The
business can resell consumables at such a low cost as it is not the core revenue generator
of Albury PC repairs. Software mark-up will vary depending on availability. These prices are
lower than competitors besides large companies with buying power such as Harvey Norman.
An investment account with an opening balance of $10,000 will be opened for emergency
cash flow. The account will accrue interest to be invested in the business.
Forecast revenue and assumptions:
A net profit of $80,101.75 is forecast for the first year of operating. This is expected to
increase each year for the first seven years of business as brand awareness and customer
base grows. Experience both managing a business and staff experience will allow tasks to
be completed more efficiently increasing store revenue.
In the 12 month cash flow breakdown it is expected the profit will fluctuate through high and
low economic periods. The high economic periods are expected to be;
It is expected that the business will make a loss on the months between these periods. To
reduce the economic low impact, customers will be notified by text message or email that
they are due for a service or anti-virus update every twelve months, with a special service +
software deal to be offered in the low economic periods.
Forecast expenses and assumptions:
For the first year advertising will be through word of mouth. Sign-a-rama, a local screen
printing company, will provide 1000 colour business cards for $187.00. In the second and
third year of business $3000 will be spent on advertising through Southern Cross Media on
the radio. After four years a further $10,000 will be allocated per year to television
advertising.
Accounts will be set up for audit fees, sundry expenses and cleaning costs to be paid
monthly. Rent is to be paid monthly to LJ Colquhoun & Dixon and insurance monthly to RSM
Group Pty Ltd. Pest control is planned twice a year (six months apart). Periodically (typically
3 or 6 months) postage equipment will be purchase, stationery and maintenance will spent.
Banking shall be with Hume Building Society, a local Albury bank. Fees of $20 a month for
external transfer will apply but there are no account keeping fees for a business account. A
credit card will be supply by Hume Building Society for $84.50 a year. Utilities are to be paid
monthly with expenses estimated based off similar size shops expenses from personal
experience. Utilities have been forecast to increase according to the current CPI of 5.4% p.a.
Software for the business will be purchased through Microsoft Technet program, costing
$276 for membership every three years. Telephone charges will be based on Telstras
unlimited business plan for $149/month. Stocktake is to be performed every six months, with
a write off account of $3000 p.a provided. Due to minimal stock being purchased without an
order this should cover and lost and / or damaged stock.
A five year contract with Paynters Group of Companies (PGC) will provide alarm system
installation and monitoring for $320 a month. This covers fees for responding to alarms at
the business. It is estimated that the current rate of technology will require new hardware
(including server and software) for the store will be required in three years. This is reflected
in the five year forecast expenses.
Staff are to be paid weekly, with a 9.25% superannuation guarantee to be paid monthly into
employees nominated account. Staff training and development is to be provided through
Riverina Institute of Tafe Albury Campus. Course fees are broken down below:
Course
Diploma of
management
Diploma of IT
(Networking)
Cert IV IT
(Networking)
Cert IV
Accounting
Employee
Manager
Cost
$1514.00
Additional Costs
$210.00
Total
$1724.00
Qualified IT
technician
Trainee IT
technician
Receptionist
$1514.00
$130.00
$1844.00
$1140.00
$130.00
$1270.00
$1140.00
$195.00
$1335.00
Chart of accounts
The chart of accounts for Albury PC repairs has been created based on the National
Standard Chart of Accounts published by the Department of Finance and Deregulation
(2011). Accounts applicable to Albury PC repairs have been selected as shown below.
Accounts not relevant to the business have been excluded.
Assets: 1-0000
Account
number
Account Name
Cash - unrestricted
Petty cash
Cash float
Accounts receivable
Inventory on hand
Other current assets
Account Description
Assets that are expected to provide economic benefit within
the next 12 months
Cash that is dedicated to a specific purpose
Cash that is not allocated for a specific purpose. Primarily for
operating expenditure.
Petty cash on hand (excludes cash at bank and till floats)
Cash used for trading each day.
Gross accounts still owing from debtors
Items held for resale
Any current assets not listed above
Assets that are expected to provide economic benefit NOT
within the next 12 months
Shares
Office equipment, hardware and software etc
Intellectual property, licences, patents etc
Any non current assets not listed above.
Liabilities: 2-0000
Account
Number
Account Name
2-1000 to 2-1260 Current liabilities
1110 Accounts payable
1120 Accrued expenses
1130 Loans payable
1150 GST payable
1170 Employee Benefits
1190 Superannuation payable
1260 Other liabilities
Account Description
Liabilities that are expected to be paid in the next 12 months
Gross amount owed to creditors at the end of a period
Expenses that are not settled by the end of a period
Bank loans, credit cards etc
Gross GST payable to ATO
Provisions for annual leave, long service leave etc
Supperannuation payable to employees funds
Any current liabilities not listed above
Liabilities that are not expected to be paid in the next 12
months
Revenue 4-0000
Revenue from sales
Revenue from investments and bank interest
Cost of goods sold 5-0000
10 Accounting fees
20 Advertising
50 Audit fees
70
100
220
240
400
410
490
510
Bank charges
Cleaning / Pest control
Computer expenses
Credit card fees
General insurance
Public liability insurance
Membership fees
Postage / Courier
The value of any stock rolling over from the previous period
Cost of purchases made
Cost of freight
Expenses 6-0000
Book keeping fees excluding audit fees
Covers all marketing, advertising and promotion
Fees directly associated with an audit
Charges associated with any bank accounts exclusing credit
card fees
Costs attached to cleaning and pest control services
Including software, internet email and maintenance etc
Fees assocatiated with a credit card
Building and contents
This account represents public liability insurance
Membership to any association
Stamps, envelopes and other postage related expenses
Expenses associated with printing and stationery including
printer consumables
Includes all rates and taxes
All rent paid for buildings
All costs associated with repair and maintenance
Wages for all staff employed
650 Security
One off expenses that may occur and are not included
elsewhere
Charges relating to telecommunications
Training and
700 development
720 Utilities
One off expenses that relate to lost stock, broken assets, cash
stolen bad debt etc
$
$
$
$
394,350.00
39,435.00
377.37
434,162.37
$
$
$
65,000.00
6,240.00
71,240.00
Accounting fees
Advertising
Audit fees
Bank charges
Cleaning / Pest control
Computer expenses
Credit card fees
General insurance
Public liability insurance
Membership fees
Postage / Courier
Printing and stationery
Rates and taxes
Rent
Repairs and maintenance
Wages
Security
Sundry expenses
Telephone charges
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
9,360.00
187.00
1,200.00
240.00
6,160.00
3,600.00
84.50
360.00
800.00
236.00
90.00
1,200.00
42,969.31
41,950.14
3,000.00
121,536.00
3,840.00
1,200.00
1,788.00
700
720
740
750
$
$
$
$
$
6,173.00
4,980.00
3,000.00
11,242.08
265,196.03
GROSS PROFIT
Capital on loan
Interest on loan
NET PROFIT
$
$
$
$
97,726.34
11,934.24
5,690.35
80,101.75
401
0
402
0
502
0
Revenue 4-0000
$
Sale of goods
394,350.00
$
GST
39,435.00
$
Interest
377.37
$
TOTAL INCOME
434,162.37
Jul
$
43,378.50
$
4,337.85
Aug
$
19,717.50
$
1,971.75
$31.01
$
21,720.26
Sep
$
15,774.00
$
1,577.40
$
31.11
$
17,382.51
Oct
$
23,661.00
$
2,366.10
$
31.20
$
26,058.30
Nov
$
55,209.00
$
5,520.90
$
31.30
$
60,761.20
Dec
$
74,926.50
$
7,492.65
$
31.40
$
82,450.55
Jan
$
19,717.50
$
1,971.75
$
31.49
$
21,720.74
Feb
$
7,887.00
$
788.70
$
31.59
$
8,707.29
Mar
$
11,830.50
$
1,183.05
$
31.69
$
13,045.24
Apr
$
31,548.00
$
3,154.80
$
31.79
$
34,734.59
May
$
39,435.00
$
3,943.50
$
31.89
$
43,410.39
June
$
51,265.50
$
5,126.55
$
31.98
$
56,424.03
$30.91
$
47,747.26
$
65,000.00
$
6,240.00
$
71,240.00
$
2,275.00
$
218.40
$
2,493.40
$
3,250.00
$
312.00
$
3,562.00
$
4,550.00
$
436.80
$
4,986.80
$
11,050.00
$
1,060.80
$
12,110.80
$
13,000.00
$
1,248.00
$
14,248.00
$
13,650.00
$
1,310.40
$
14,960.40
$
4,550.00
$
436.80
$
4,986.80
$
2,925.00
$
280.80
$
3,205.80
$
1,625.00
$
156.00
$
1,781.00
$
975.00
$
93.60
$
1,068.60
$
3,900.00
$
374.40
$
4,274.40
$
3,250.00
$
312.00
$
3,562.00
Expenses 6-0000
$
Accounting fees
9,360.00
$
Advertising
187.00
$
Audit fees
1,200.00
$
Bank charges
240.00
Cleaning / Pest
$
control
6,160.00
$
Computer expenses
3,600.00
$
Credit card fees
84.50
$
General insurance
360.00
Public liability
$
insurance
800.00
$
Membership fees
236.00
$
Postage / Courier
90.00
Printing and
$
stationery
1,200.00
$
Rates and taxes
42,969.31
$
1,872.00
$
187.00
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
84.50
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
236.00
$
45.00
$
$
4,164.11
$
234.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
680.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
300.00
$
3,289.11
$
234.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
$
3,289.11
$
1,872.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
$
4,164.11
$
234.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
300.00
$
3,289.11
$
234.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
$
3,289.11
$
234.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
680.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
45.00
$
$
4,164.11
$
1,872.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
300.00
$
3,289.11
$
234.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
$
3,289.11
$
1,872.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
$
4,164.11
$
234.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
300.00
$
3,289.11
$
234.00
$
$
100.00
$
20.00
$
480.00
$
300.00
$
$
30.00
$
66.67
$
$
$
$
3,289.11
Opening stock
200
Purchases
300
Freight
TOTAL CoGS
10
20
50
70
100
220
240
400
410
490
510
520
550
570
590
Rent
Repairs and
maintenance
600
Wages
650
Security
670
Sundry expenses
680
Telephone charges
700
Training and
development
720
Utilities
740
750
Superannuation
TOTAL EXPENSES
GROSS PROFIT
Capital on loan
Interest on loan
NET PROFIT
$
41,950.14
$
3,000.00
$
121,536.00
$
3,840.00
$
1,200.00
$
1,788.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
1,500.00
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
1,500.00
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
3,495.85
$
$
10,128.00
$
320.00
$
100.00
$
149.00
$
6,173.00
$
4,980.00
$
3,000.00
$
11,242.08
$
265,196.03
$
$
$
$
936.84
$
22,714.96
$
$
1,245.00
$
$
936.84
$
21,394.46
$
$
$
$
936.84
$
21,149.46
$
$
$
$
936.84
$
22,162.46
$
$
1,245.00
$
$
936.84
$
21,194.46
$
$
$
1,500.00
$
936.84
$
21,149.46
$
2,805.00
$
$
$
936.84
$
23,574.46
$
$
1,245.00
$
$
936.84
$
22,832.46
$
$
$
$
936.84
$
19,649.46
$
$
$
$
936.84
$
23,662.46
$
$
1,245.00
$
$
936.84
$
21,194.46
$
3,368.00
$
$
1,500.00
$
936.84
$
24,517.46
$
97,726.34
$
11,934.24
$
5,690.35
$
80,101.75
$
22,538.90
$
994.52
$
497.50
$
21,046.88
-$
3,236.20
$
994.52
$
493.38
-$
4,724.10
-$
8,753.75
$
994.52
$
489.22
-$
10,237.50
-$
8,214.96
$
994.52
$
485.03
-$
9,694.51
$
25,318.74
$
994.52
$
480.81
$
23,843.41
$
46,340.69
$
994.52
$
476.55
$
44,869.62
-$
6,840.52
$
994.52
$
472.25
-$
8,307.29
-$
17,330.97
$
994.52
$
467.92
-$
18,793.41
-$
8,385.22
$
994.52
$
463.56
-$
9,843.30
$
10,003.53
$
994.52
$
459.16
$
8,549.85
$
17,941.53
$
994.52
$
454.72
$
16,492.29
$
28,344.57
$
994.52
$
450.24
$
26,899.81
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
4010
Sale of goods
394,350.00
444,100.00
465,550.00
515,300.00
515,300.00
551,425.00
4020
GST
39,435.00
44,410.00
46,555.00
51,530.00
51,530.00
55,142.50
5020
Interest
377.37
391.61
406.39
421.73
437.64
454.16
TOTAL INCOME
434,162.37
488,901.61
512,511.39
567,251.73
567,267.64
607,021.66
Opening stock
200
Purchases
65,000.00
67,600.00
68,900.00
71,500.00
70,200.00
67,600.00
300
Freight
6,240.00
6,500.00
6,500.00
6,760.00
6,890.00
7,020.00
TOTAL CoGS
71,240.00
74,100.00
75,400.00
78,260.00
77,090.00
74,620.00
Expenses 6-0000
10
Accounting fees
9,360.00
9,360.00
9,464.00
9,490.00
9,620.00
9,620.00
20
Advertising
187.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
10,000.00
10,000.00
10,000.00
50
Audit fees
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
70
Bank charges
240.00
240.00
240.00
240.00
240.00
240.00
100
6,160.00
6,900.00
6,900.00
6,900.00
7,180.00
7,180.00
220
Computer expenses
3,600.00
1,500.00
1,500.00
6,000.00
1,500.00
1,500.00
240
84.50
84.50
84.50
84.50
84.50
84.50
400
General insurance
360.00
360.00
360.00
360.00
360.00
360.00
410
800.00
800.00
800.00
800.00
800.00
800.00
490
Membership fees
236.00
236.00
510
Postage / Courier
90.00
90.00
90.00
90.00
90.00
90.00
520
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,250.00
1,260.00
1,240.00
1,240.00
550
42,969.31
43,158.31
43,158.31
43,357.51
43,567.51
43,788.81
570
Rent
41,950.14
41,950.14
41,950.14
44,215.45
46,603.08
46,603.08
590
3,000.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
600
Wages
121,536.00
142,464.00
147,936.00
169,382.40
172,838.40
180,451.20
650
Security
3,840.00
3,840.00
3,840.00
3,840.00
3,840.00
3,840.00
670
Sundry expenses
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
680
Telephone charges
1,788.00
1,788.00
1,788.00
1,788.00
1,788.00
1,788.00
700
6,173.00
1,704.00
720
Utilities
4,980.00
5,248.92
5,532.36
5,831.11
6,145.99
6,477.87
740
3,000.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
750
Superannuation
11,242.08
13,177.92
13,684.08
15,667.87
15,987.55
16,691.74
TOTAL EXPENSES
265,196.03
283,561.79
289,977.39
329,646.84
330,285.03
339,155.20
GROSS PROFIT
97,726.34
131,239.82
147,134.00
159,344.89
159,892.61
193,246.46
Capital on loan
11,934.24
11,934.24
11,934.24
11,934.24
11,934.24
11,934.24
Interest on loan
5,690.35
NET PROFIT
80,101.75
5149.280276
$
114,156.30
4659.658433
$
130,540.10
4216.592523
$
143,194.06
3815.655752
$
144,142.71
3452.842251
$
177,859.38
Dane Merkel
62 McSweeney Cresent
Gordonvale, QLD 4865
Phone: 0438 556 989
Dear AAA Dummy Company human resources department,
RE: Electrical engineering co-op placement
I am writing to express my interest in the electrical engineering position in Rockhampton
advertised to Central Queensland University students through OPUS beginning on 23 June
2014.
I am currently a third year electrical engineering student with a GPA of 6.4 out of 7 with
experience in electrical engineering with Ergon Energy, IT industry and hospitality. This
experience has allowed me to develop excellent communication skills, both written and oral
and build a solid knowledge base within the field of electrical engineering.
A job with AAA Dummy Company would not only provide me with the opportunity to advance
my career in electrical engineering but allow me to utilise my skills in a team environment
whilst constantly improving. Seven years of experience in hospitality has given me the ability
to communicate effectively with staff and customers from a diverse demographic.
I have industry experience with Ergon Energy, where I was responsible for developing and
testing alternative methods of load control and assisting the control systems work group with
business cases and technical reports. This experience demonstrates my ability to learn new
skills and communicate this information to stakeholders.
If given this opportunity I am confident that my previous experience and skills can help AAA
Dummy Company achieve its goals of being a leading engineering firm in the Rockhampton
area and give me the opportunity to further develop my skill sets. I have attached my resume
and a letter addressing your companys key selection criteria to this letter and can be
contacted at any time by phone: 0438 556 989 or email: dane.merkel@cqumail.com to
arrange an interview.
Thank you for your time considering my application,
Yours Sincerely,
Dane Merkel
Excellent written and oral presentation skills have been developed throughout my education
and work in hospitality, IT and engineering. Through feedback and reflection my presentation
skills are constantly improving.
Working with Ergon Energy I was required to create presentations to give to other
employees explaining the work I completed or communicate project information to
stakeholders. A teleconference led by myself involving network planning, operations, control
systems and other relevant stakeholders was held for me to discuss the projects intent,
proposed plan and identify any risks other stakeholders may be aware of. The outcome of
the presentation was approval to begin implementing a new load management trial at
Innisfail. I documented the progress of the trial and created reports detailing the outcomes of
the trial. A further presentation to control systems and network planning workgroups resulted
in the trial being expanded to Cairns and the surrounding area where it would be evaluated
again at completion.
In my first year of university I undertook an industry project with Queensland Main Roads
involving potential modifications to major intersections in Mackay. The project required a
technical report detailing findings be created and a presentation be given to students,
teaching staff and engineers present in the community. I achieved a high distinction for this
course proving my ability for both written and oral presentation skills.
Preparing technical and non-technical reports, project scopes and other project reports at
Ergon Energy and at university further developed my written presentation skills. The ability to
answer customer or employee questions, and communicate with others both in person and
over the phone shows my outstanding oral presentation skills.
Organisational skills
Well-developed organisational skills have helped me to excel in all aspects of my life. I was
often required to open a bar when I was in the hospitality industry. Working in a busy cocktail
bar required planning to ensure resources would be available throughout the night. This
included organising staff members, stock, garnishes and cash.
While employed as an electrical engineer I was responsible for meeting deadlines on
multiple projects. I had milestones due on two separate load management projects and
some research for RTU equipment upgrades to complete in a fortnight, along with regular
meetings and day to day work. To manage this I utilised a daily diary, Microsoft outlook and
project schedules as set out in the project scope. Constant communication with the rest of
my team allowed me to achieve all target dates as required.
Working as a busy IT technician required me to be constantly multitasking between repairing
multiple computers, answers telephone calls, communicating with suppliers and customers
and general shop operations, including call outs. To effectively manage this I demonstrated
excellent organisational skills.
Successful completion of two years of university with a GPA of 6.5 out of 7, including
courses focusing on engineering skills, engineering mathematics and engineering physics
have has given me a solid engineering foundation which has been extended into electrical
engineering with further courses and experience with Ergon Energy.
During my time at Ergon Energy I was employed in the Control Systems workgroup and
involved in load management projects. I often used SCADA to obtain information used to
make engineering decisions. I found that occasionally there were errors in SCADA, which
often required application of the knowledge learned at university to manually calculate load
and current flows. I found some errors in transducer readings which were fixed once
reported.
I was also placed in charge of developing a new load management pilot which involved
changing the way controllable tariffs are switched. I was responsible for planning the pilot,
implementing and monitoring progress and creating technical and non-technical reports for
stakeholders.
Industry experience with Ergon Energy and as an IT technician has allowed me to develop
excellent MS Office skills including advanced features of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and
exposure to Access. Whilst working with Ergon Energy I utilised Word to create technical
and non-technical reports to be distributed to stakeholders, and often created a presentation
to accompany documents via PowerPoint.
I used Excel to analyse and manipulate data as well as presenting it graphically. This data
was often used to model expected results and could be modified once validated or in
presentations to stakeholders to show results of my work. I am experienced with advanced
features of Excel including formulas, conditional formatting and basic macros. Whilst
employed at Lavington Computers I used Access to keep track of our customer database
and current jobs. I was also involved with modifying the database to improve functionality.
Exposure to AutoCAD whilst at university has allowed me to develop a basic knowledge
base in both 2-D and 3-D modelling. I have experience in isometric and orthographic
drawings and am familiar with Australian Standards AS1100 relating to technical drawings.
Resume
Name: Dane Merkel
Email: dane.merkel@cqumail.com
Mailing address: 62 McSweeney Cres, Gordonvale, QLD, 4865
2009
Licenses/Certificates:
Professional Associations:
Dane Merkel
Page | 1
Work Experience:
2013 Present
Modelling of load profiles for substations, feeders, regions and the Ergon
network to determine system parameters for the load management program.
2012 2013
Operation of public and bistro bar, including drink and food service.
2008 2012
Diagnosis and repair onsite and offsite as call outs were available.
Dane Merkel
Page | 2
Competence
Excellent
Evidence
Involvement in telephone
conversations, face to face meetings
and teleconferences, both technical
and non-technical whilst employed at
Ergon, complemented by seven years
of experience in the hospitality
industry.
Written communications
Excellent
Excellent
Teamwork
Excellent
Leadership
High
Organisation
Very high
Very high
AutoCAD
Experienced
Experienced
ABB SCADA
Experienced
Dane Merkel
Community Involvement:
2014
2013
2013
Interests:
Snowboarding: I have been snowboarding every year for the past six years and hope
to travel overseas to visit snowfields outside of Australia.
Horse riding: I was a competitive horse rider when I was younger, winning events at
the zone level and representing state for dressage.
Rugby league: I have been playing rugby league competitively for six years.
References:
Professional Reference:
Professional Reference:
David Thompson
Andrew Kunst
Ergon Energy
Ergon Energy
Professional Reference:
Personal Reference:
Richard Condon
Arun Patil
Venue Manager
Dane Merkel
Page | 4
Reflective Paper
As an electrical engineer, I completed my first coop placement at Ergon Energy and would
like to expose myself to a different type of work for my second placement to give myself a
broader range of experience before graduating. Talking to students in years above me I
have heard nothing but outstanding feedback on LogiCamms in Mackay so I jumped at the
chance to watch Patrick Fishers training video.
The only experience I have with electric circuits is from the digital electronics course which I
enjoyed and have been interested as a possible career opportunity. Watching Patricks video
gave me some insight into the type of work that LogiCamms performs and taught me the
basics of programming a logic chip and testing the PLC. I believe the information I learned
from Patricks video, although only introductory, provides me some background knowledge
on the work performed by LogiCamms that I can use to show my interest in a company like
this.
The skill I have learned from this video however is not how to program a PLC, it is the
ensuring proper planning and monitoring of a project. The workplace videos I chose to
watch were from a range of industries but I found this was a common theme between many
of the videos from all industries. Patrick mentions the importance of understanding the
process that is to be followed before creating the required ladder logic, and finished the
video by emulating the circuit to ensure if performs as required. Without this check it would
be easy to make an error that would be difficult to pick up in a later stage of the project.
While working with Ergon Energy I found that the majority of my time was spent planning to
ensure I stayed organised and that a project ran to schedule. The same skill is shown in the
mechanical field by Sam Eborn who lists the steps to creating and completing and inspection
and test plan (ITP). The first step is to create a list of tasks to be completed in the ITP and
Sam explicitly says that it is important to have approval from the client before beginning a
project so that there are no surprises later in the project. This is then added to the project
schedule to allow the engineer to monitor progress and ensure the project is going to be
completed on schedule. The importance of monitoring is emphasised by Sam towards the
end of his video what he explains how waiting to get signatures can make the whole project
fall behind and things get forgotten. By utilising Gantt charts and constant project monitoring
it is simple to complete the ITP as required resulting client satisfaction and the company
meeting its targets.
This same skill of planning and monitoring can be seen again in the civil industry in Caitlyn
Carmody when she discusses supervising a concrete pour. Within the first minute Caitlyn
talks about pre-pour check lists and inspections being required. An ITP is discusses outlines
the activities to be completed, specifications and mentions again that an ITP is to be
submitted to the client prior to construction beginning. This is a form of project planning, that
without has the potential for catastrophic project failures, whether it be a schedule or budget
blowout, increased safety hazards or many other negative project impacts. Throughout the
entire concrete pour process Caitlyn constantly mentions confirming work has been
completed correctly and to standards before the next stage can begin. Controlling and
monitoring these variables in a further application of the skill I have learned. Slump tests and
strength tests are monitored to ensure the quality of the concrete is acceptable.
Throughout my placement with Ergon Energy I was aware of the importance of planning and
monitoring. Before making major changes I had to create documentation of proposed
changes and expected results and have them approved by my supervisor or relevant
stakeholders. Now that I have seen that this skill is applied throughout the engineering
industry as a whole, I feel more confident in entering a workplace and being prepared to
complete a project.
required by Ergon Energy and my review helped others in my work group to successfully
migrate to the new template.