Professional Skills in Ledingham Chalmers

Ledingham Chalmers,

professional skills and

personal development

Word count: 1088

Executive Summary

The subject of this report, estate agencies, and Ledingham Chalmers in particular, were chosen because at some point in everybody's life, property is going to be in the picture, and most likely all business linked to that will be handled through an estate agent's. The reason for choosing property, over so many other possibilities, is that the professional skills required in each of the fields connected to property managing are fairly similar, or at least carry a few basic similarities. Hence, it was easy to draw an outline of the skills required.

Although the word 'easy' was used to describe the work, the thought of doing was easier than actually doing. The most common problems encountered were the lack of specific information on-line and making an appointment with the Human Resources Manager, which proved to be impossible. However, the information presented in this report was acquired from the people working closest to the public; people working at the property section in Johnston House. They gave information about their skills when they were recruited and the training they have been given along the years.

The basic skills needed were basic IT skills (use of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office tools), good organisational skills, and most importantly, good customer service skills.

In the end it was concluded that the most important thing considered in recruitment were not the professional skills but the personal qualities an applicant possesses.

1.0 Introduction

This report aims to explain the importance of professional skills in modern working environment, concentrating especially on one industry; property and estate agents. The main objects of the general module were to outline the difference between professional skills and personal skills, and then research it individually in specific organisations, in this case Ledingham Chalmers. It was also expected for the students to do their own research, using their skills and guidelines given during the course.

Taking the subject area into consideration, the most effective way of research was to do it on - line, and by visiting the recruitment manager and the property team. Unfortunately the Human Resources Manager did not give any reply even after several visits in person, phone calls and emails. Therefore the main sources were the internet and the people who have been recruited, i.e. the property team. The outcome of these interviews was an outline of the specific company's strategy on recruitment and a view of the skills required in succeeding in a career in this particular industry.

2.0 Property and estate

2.1 Why Property?

In the beginning of this assignment the group involved had a brainstorming-session concerning all the possible industries to choose from. After dismissing a few good ideas, there were three strong competitors left; banking, property and mobile phones. Every one of the members of the group had some kind of experience within these sectors, and an interest in making one of them into a career. After carefully considering facts such as accessibility of information, locality, personal interests and sectors within the industry, it was decided to choose property.

The main reason for choosing property was what we thought was easy access to information. Jobs for estate agencies are not only advertised on the particular company's website, but also on recruitment agencies, etc. It turned out not to be that simple, for the information given in these adverts was generally vague and too general.

Another reason for choosing property was that it was connected to the subject studied; law, and several of the group members had an interest in having a career in property, and of course, at some point in everybody's life property is gonna be of some concern.

2.2 Ledingham Chalmers

2.2.1 History

Ian Edward, A Brief history, http://www.ledinghamchalmers.com/firm/history.htm [13th December, 2005]

One of Aberdeen's most prestigious law firms started out as two separate law firms: C.&P.H. Chalmers and Edmonds&Ledingham. Charles Chalmers, the founder of C.&P.H. Chalmers was born in 1790 and produced 6 children. After starting two earlier companies, Charles started a firm with his son Patrick Henderson Chalmers in 1875. Francis Edmond (born in 1805) had a similar history, forming Edmonds&Ledingham in 1890 when Alexander Ledingham joined the practice.

Both companies were leaders in their field, C.&P.H. Chalmers in landed estate work and Edmond&Ledingham in the development of commercial and residential property. Hence, in the 1980s both firms expanded, taking up new partners and oil&gas - related work. In 1988 C&P.H. Chalmers established a branch in the Falkland Islands. In the summer of 1990 the firms started a discussion that resulted on the 1st of January 1990 to the merger of these two practices into Ledingham Chalmers.

2.2.2 Ledingham Chalmers today

Ledingham Chalmers has branches in Inverness, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stanley (Falkland Islands), Baku (Azerbaijan), Istanbul (Turkey) and the most recently opened one in London.

As these branches' location might suggest, Ledingham Chalmers specialise in the oil and gas industry, which takes up more than a third of their workload, and in