This month, Fuel Oil News speaks with Donald Mackay, Head of Operations for the WP Group, to discover how Donald spends a typical day.
MY ALARM GOES OFF AT…
6am, but it takes my 54-year-old bones 10 minutes to get moving.
I have always liked to get into the office early, so I am in the car for about 6.45am. It is a routine that has cemented itself over the years and if I deviated from it, it simply would not feel right.
THE FIRST THING I DO IS…
Quickly check my work phone, just in case there are any emergencies or significant issues.
Parts of our operation are 24/7, so knowing early how the day might go helps me get ahead of things.
I PREPARE FOR THE DAY AHEAD BY…
My preparation for the day ahead is never done on the day. I regularly review my diary so I am on top of what is coming up, whether it be specific places to be or meetings I am attending.
I use my diary to map out key pieces of work I need to complete too. It is called “big work” and if you diarise it, more often than not you will complete it. I picked this up from a leadership seminar I attended a number of years back with my previous employer.
I find this routine of planning really helps me stay on top of my workload and provides great balance.
I CAN’T LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT…
Mobile phone, laptop, and my bag with all my bits and bobs in it. I am also in a good routine of taking my lunch with me every day.
MY TYPICAL DAY –
I am sure so many people have said the same thing, but most days are different. Saying that, the more structure you can put into your operation, the better it will perform. I have never bought into the mindset that operations is chaotic by nature.
I believe you can structure most things by having good systems, processes and procedures in place, so if things do go wrong, it does not feel insurmountable. That means I have the capacity to get on with my wide remit as Head of Operations.
One day I could be with my colleagues in the leadership team working on strategy. But another day could be within our Airport Energy Services operation, going into Heathrow Airport to review the critical work we do with keeping the ground support vehicles operating 24/7.
MY MOST MEMORABLE WORK MOMENT…
I would have to say it is the summer socials we have with our drivers. Each year, covering each of our locations, we organise to have a lunch, a BBQ, or even a breakfast with our tanker drivers.
I find these extremely rewarding. They are a great leveller, and a real opportunity to properly get to know everyone. I love it.
THE WORST PART OF MY JOB…
When it does not quite go to plan. In our industry, we go above and beyond for our customers, but there are times when a customer might have an issue. How you deal with it is vital and I am very lucky to work with a great team that are super agile, customer focused and eager to learn from any customer issues, so we continually improve.
THE BEST PART OF MY JOB…
Engaging with my colleagues. And by colleagues, I mean everyone within our business. I have been with the WP Group for 18 months now. I know every person in our business, and I firmly believe that is a huge benefit in my role.
I am a very approachable leader, and how you engage with people leaves an impression, and I want that impression to be a positive one. Each day, I try my utmost to achieve this.
I RELAX AFTER WORK BY…
Spending time with my wife Sarah and son Charlie. We are a tight unit, and Charlie will be leaving home soon to enjoy university, so family time is precious at the moment.
MY FAVOURITE MEAL IS…
So many to choose from. Probably a fish supper, but it needs to be from a Scottish chippie (north of England at a push). I am afraid the south has not yet mastered the art of “just dip it in batter and get it in the fryer”.
ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE IS…
How They Broke Britain by James O’Brien. Politics has always been something that I have been interested in.
I find it fascinating that if you can win a popularity contest, you can reach the highest positions in the land with zero talent and no idea how the real-world works.
THE LAST THING I DO EACH DAY IS…
I have started using an eye mask. With sunrise being so early at the moment, rather than waking up before 5am, the eye mask definitely helps me sleep longer. Game changer. Try it.
I’M NORMALLY IN BED BY…
I try to get to bed for around 10.30pm, and most of the time I am pretty successful at that. However, if I come across any golf highlights, I could be creeping up the stairs after midnight!
Image credit: Donald Mackay, WP Group
