Brilliant Job - Now translate the skills to a different use

The fact that British Forces continue to be engaged in a series of extremely successful operations should come as no great surprise. During only one year since the end of the Second World War a Serviceman has not lost his life on operations, despite numerous deployments around the world.

The nation is extremely proud of and grateful for its Servicemen and women, and they continue to ride high in its estimation despite the occasional lurid headline as some individual spectacularly misbehaves.

However, there are a number of similarities between military operations and commercial life that may not be apparent to the Service person; and many people in uniform can regard themselves as a breed apart with different standards than those outside. It may be useful, therefore, to examine the similarities

Intelligence and information on the opposition are obviously critical in both cases. It is madness to attempt military actions without knowing as much as possible about the enemy. Similarly, it is completely crazy to attempt the launch of a new product, to pitch for a contract or even apply for a job, without knowing as much as possible about the organisation you are up against. Military intelligence gathering includes intentions, units, strengths, weapons, ammunition, resources, logistics and morale. The civilian equivalents are business objectives, companies in the group, financial muscle, products and services, research and development, share price, relationships with stakeholders, and industrial relations.

In both cases, a clear aim is ideal although politics and practicalities may cloud it. There will inevitably be limitations on this aim – some imposed externally and others due to internal considerations. A company will always have to refer to its legal objects and powers (its charter) to ensure that it can proceed as it might wish, while a military organisation has the Geneva Convention and UN or NATO restrictions to consider.

The overall aim, or mission statement, is then broken down into a series of tasks in an order of priority. Resources of all kinds are matched with these tasks and battle is commenced.

The major difference is that commercial business is engaged in operations every day of its life, while at least the military gets the occasional chance to regroup, rest and retrain. And business operations are every bit as cut-throat, their managers just as hard and demanding. Loss of employment is an ever-present danger, and there may be comparatively few positions in which to hide the merely adequate employee.

Just as many military people enjoy being on operations as the tempo increases, being involved in civilian competition can be great fun. Developing a new business, going head to head with the opposition on a pitch, developing a new product, making a sale can all bring a buzz to the individual involved. Building up a small business is an adventure in itself. Running a successful business calls for the same personal qualities as those so highly regarded in the Forces.

Service leavers should treat civilian employment in just the same way as they do a military deployment. Prepare every detail and leave as little as possible to chance. Take advantage of all the opportunities available to get ready. Study all available information. Do the necessary reconnaissance. Learn about the objective and the competition. And always be balanced to deal with the unexpected.

Translated, this means that you should enhance your learning and your skills while you are serving, through personal development; and learn about civilian opportunities through research, networking and membership of institutes and trade bodies. Examine the market and decide what organisations you would like to work for and what sort of job you want to do. Ensure that your qualifications match your ambition; if they do not, get some more. Get help to prepare your CV and covering letter. At the interview, be relaxed and open – and, if you want the job, fight for it.

This month we look at the basics of starting your own business, outlining just some of the considerable help available to the budding entrepreneur. The perennial favourites of careers in diving, and sport and fitness deserve at least a glance from every fit and active Service person, while it may be easier to prepare for a future in the prison and probation services than many people might imagine. Technical authorship can offer opportunities and a relatively easy transition, while the specialist worlds of computing and IT, and logistics and distribution can be accessed by those with the necessary skills – and those who do not have them can always use the Learning Credit system to obtain them.

It is a big, wide world and Quest can touch on only a few of the possibilities in enough depth to cover just some of the essentials. The research is up to you … as with any military campaign.