Belinda McLaughlin

Cell: 083 4811 800 Email: belindawine1961@gmail.com

I am an energetic, self-motivated, can do, go getter who thrives on challenges and being of service. Creativity and going the extra mile to shine are my attributes that have made me successful in every sales and marketing position that I have held. I pride myself in being honest and am a person with integrity. Besides meeting targets, coaching staff and being part of the wine industry are my passions.

Education and Training

Belinda McLaughlinMost recently, many courses and programmes offered by Distell which covered products, sales leadership, self-management, not specifically only relevant to the wine industry but which are relevant industry wide. I achieved my CWA Certificate Course about 7 years ago, and am working on WINES OF THE WORLD.

I am proficient in Microsoft Office, used PowerPoint for my presentations, Excel for spreadsheets and Word for Correspondence. I am highly competent in Social Media and using the Internet for promotion.

My previous experience includes Advertising (print and digital and radio), Public Relations for an upmarket florist, liquor store and central mall in Kloof, KZN. During that employment, I also became proficient in wine buying and the Tops where I was based experienced the largest increase in turnover in the province for 3 years in a row.

I organised their wine tastings and educated the wine loving public on the large choice of wines available – sometimes up to 350 people When I left that position, it was to market to a larger area of KZN, including the Drakensberg resorts, where I had sales targets to meet as well as organise award winning wine lists and train staff on pairing and appreciation of wine and service in general. My targets at Distell were the highest in the province and I am proud to say that I achieved them. Although I am motivated by targets, as a team player I regularly, looked after fellow employee’s portfolios whilst they were away on leave I am looking for a position that I can settle in and excel at.

Hobbies and Interests Writing, Painting, Gardening, People, Charity events. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY BARNARDT BOYES WINES (Cape Town) – Jan 2016 to January 2017 This is a seasonal sales project, as product is not available for local sales all year round. I increased my business savvy by organising and preparing the appropriate information for the successful obtaining of liquor licences for 9 of the Carrol Boyes stores (so they can carry the Barnardt Boyes ranges in store.

I started their Direct Marketing sales for KZN and Western Cape, which entailed sourcing and employing agents who were under my supervision with regards sales. I organised their wine training and assisted the agents with their sales. I also made contacts for direct sales with Corporates and Restaurants for Carrol Boyes Wines. I attended the Wine Shows and Carrol Boyes Sales weeks to support the wine brand. I learned different aspects of the wine market, sourcing bottles, labels and getting designs printed etc. Learned a lot about the export market and logistics. FREE LANCE WINE DISTRIBUTOR AND SOURCING OF PRODUCTS – July 2015 to Aug 2016 My move to Cape Town to live my dream saw me leave my comfort zone of Durban. I had decided to move and then see the direction I wanted to go in, so I contracted to Hillcrest Kwik Spar and Hillcrest Tops in KZN to source them unusual wine and other products for their stores. They were named the best Tops and Kwik Spar nationally at their Spar Conference – so voted by their competition.

Belinda McLaughlin During this time, I was also an agent for wine farms such as Koelenhof, Ridgeback, Corder, Cavalli, Carrol Boyes Wines, Amani, and a few others which I mainly sold to the KZN market.

I freelanced for an annual conference for SERVEST Security, which saw me designing their wine labels and table centre pieces as they were looking for one of a kind items.

VIZUAL Security, used my services for their Christmas corporate gifts and wine labels.

SALLY WILLIAMS, I did Corporate gifting with Sally Williams and Carrol Boyes products. CAPE LEGENDS (Distell) – Durban – Jan 2006 to June 2015 This was the position that I learned so much about wine/retail/hospitality industry. Compiled wine lists that were award winning entries for Diners Club Wine List Awards. I was responsible for all the marketing, press liaison, promotions, gourmet dinners and wine shows and that they were run in a professional manner. Liaised with Logistics in four areas to maintain stock levels. Dealt with Key Accounts on a regional level: Makro and Tops, Pick ‘n Pay, Checkers, Ultra Liquors, Liberty Liquors, Protea Hotels, Three Cities Group, 5* lodges and hotels. Training of waiters and Hotel/Restaurant management in Food and Wine service and Food and Wine pairing. Kept up to date with current trends. Mini Budgets and presentations compiled. Conducted Wine Talks and presentations for up to 350 people. Reason for Leaving – to pursue my passion in the city where wine is the passion.

Education and Training

Year Matriculated ”0” Levels. 1977Last School Attended Girls High School. Harare, Zimbabwe

Year Course Institution1978 Diploma in Business and Secretarial Polytechnic, Harare, Zimbabawe

Belinda McLaughlin

1984

Studies. English Language, Bookkeeping, Office Practice, Correspondence and Report Writing, Oral Communication, Shorthand, Typing, First Aid, Defensive Driving, Occupational Safety, Speech and Drama. Honours.

Trade Fairs and Promotions Training Seminar "Secretary Of The Eighties"

Trade Fairs & Promotions

1999 Cape Wine Academy Preliminary Wine Course

Correspondence

1997 Interflora Flower Arranging and Management Certificate

Interflora Durban

2003 Cape Wine Academy Certificate Wine Course

Correspondence

2005 THETA Facilitator and Assessor Accreditation done

Seta Durban

2006 Distell Sales and Marketing Induction Distell Cape Town2009 Distell Product Knowledge (Spirits) and

The Art of Selling – Distell Cape Town

2009 Distell Sales Leadership and Development Course.

Distell Cape Town

2010. Distell Brand Knowledge Distell Cape Town

2010 Distell Self-Management Program Distell Cape Town

Skills Matrix

1Had appropriate training only

2Limited practical experience

3Solid practical experience

4Well-versed, extensive experience

5Expert, extensive experience

Type of Experience Skill level

Advertising 3

Belinda McLaughlinPublic Relations 3

Wine Buying 5

Sales 5

Organising Events

TrainingMarketing

4

54

Projects

Name Brief Description Role

Triumph Through Tears Book

Book written on uplifting oneself through hardships.

Author

Good Wine Begins and Ends with a Smile

Booklet written on wine in layman’s terms for understanding the wine making process, cultivars, how to pair food and wine.

Author

Wine Training School Uplift and help matriculates to get jobs in the hospitality industry.

Trainer and coordinator of job interviews.

FNB Wine Festival Kloof, KZN

Organised wine festival with Rotary/Roundtable/Lions Clubs to raise money for Kloof Old Age Home. This is still a successful annual event, I started and organized for the first 8 years. 3000 people attend this event.

Marketing/Organising/Coordinating.

Mr Price Pro Ballito Surfing Competition – Coastal Living

International Surfing Championships. A week long with activities included daily.

Organised wine auction, cooking demos, cocktail competitions, wine and food festival – run over 3 days.

References and relevant certificates are available on request.

REFERENCES

DISTELL WINE MAKER REFERENCE

Guy Webber – Stellenzicht – 0827498401Others available on request.

BUSINESS REFERENCES

Belinda McLaughlinMike Egling -Tops @ Hillcrest Owner/Manager – 0829476818Mike Myers - Marketing/Owner Butcher Boys Franchise – 0829298726Glynn Peacock - Operations Manager Champagne Sports Resort – 0825158984Ian Walmsley - Owner Booths Liquors – 0828000246Margie Stolwart - Owner, The Wine Cellar - 0829238781