My alarm goes off at…
05:00am (I know that is early!) I don’t snooze my alarm; I get straight up and get ready. I get up this early so I can squeeze in a gym session before starting work, as it helps me focus for the day and keeps me motivated.
The other reason I get up even earlier is to spend a bit of time with my dog and my partner before the day starts. For me, it’s important that when he is home, which can sometimes only be for a few weeks at a time, we make the most of that time together and always have breakfast at the table, even if that means him getting up early too.
The first thing I do is…
make myself a coffee. If I haven’t had caffeine straight away, you definitely don’t want to speak to me in the morning!
I prepare for the day ahead by…
planning the night before. I always have a list of what I want to achieve ready, so when I sit at my desk, I know exactly what I’m working on and which customers I need to call first.
I can’t leave the house without…
my AirPods. I use noise cancellation to block out distractions like background noise and pen clicking so I can stay focused.
My typical day –
After the gym, I head straight into the office and grab an 8am coffee. I like to get in a bit early so I can see what’s come in overnight and get ahead of anything urgent before the day properly kicks off.
The first thing I do is check tank levels for customers on our telemetry systems, then plan out my day around that. From there, I start with my own customers for check-ins before moving into cold calling. Once I get into a rhythm, I aim for around 45 to 60 calls a day, a mix of new prospects and follow-ups.
It’s a very reactive role, so in between calls I’m constantly keeping an eye on deliveries going out and working closely with the operations team if anything needs sorting quickly. No two days are ever the same, so you must be able to switch focus fast and deal with things as they come in.
I usually finish around 5 to 5.30pm, then I reset and plan what I want to focus on the next day. It’s difficult to plan everything in detail, but I always set myself clear targets, so I know what a good day looks like before I even start.
How does the energy transition impact your day-to-day role?
In my day-to-day role, the energy transition is becoming more visible through conversations with customers. More businesses are starting to ask about lower-carbon options like HVO, so it’s something we talk about more often than we would have a few years ago.
It doesn’t change the fundamentals of the job, but it does mean being more informed and confident when discussing different fuel options and what they mean in practice for customers.
My most memorable work moment…
was going out on the road with the Business Development Manager and seeing a customer I had worked hard to bring back onboard finally reactivated and back with us. It was great to put a face to the name and hear first-hand feedback on what we were doing.
I also had the chance to meet some prospective customers face-to-face and do what is essentially cold calling in person. It gave me a real appreciation for the work my colleagues do out on the road and the relationships they build day to day.
The worst part of my job…
I wouldn’t say there’s a worst part; I enjoy my job thoroughly. That said, there can be small frustrations during peak seasons when resources are stretched, and orders are occasionally affected due to things like illness or vehicle breakdowns. Nobody likes a change of plan, but it’s part of the job and you just adapt and work through it.
The best part of my job…
is my colleagues and my customers. I really enjoy picking up the phone and speaking to my accounts, finding out what’s going on in their business, whether they’ve had a redesign of their trucks or switched from John Deere to Massey Ferguson.
I’m there to take their orders, but also to understand how things are going for them day-to-day. I have a genuine interest in all my customers.
My colleagues also make the job what it is. They’re a great group of people and we all have a laugh together, which makes for a great working environment.
I relax after work by…
going for a walk with my partner and my dog, Ozzy (if you’ve ever spoken to me, you’ve probably heard me mention him in every sentence). We’re very lucky to live close to the beach, so we’re often there.
I spend all day glued to my desk, phone and computer, so getting outside and switching off properly really helps me relax after work.
My favourite meal is…
instant noodles. I know they’re not exactly a proper meal and there’s no protein or veg involved, it’s just noodles, plain and simple, but they just taste amazing. Especially a Pot Noodle!
On my bedside table is…
a bedtime Bonio for the dog and a cup of coffee to take to bed with me. I also keep two books by my bedside: Historic Pubs of Portsmouth and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
The latter is a children’s book, but it has some inspirational quotes that leave me in the right mindset for the next day. My favourite is: “What do you think success is?” asked the boy. “To love,” said the mole.
The last thing I do each day is…
write an email to my partner telling him about my day and sending a little update on the dog for when he isn’t with us. I then write out my plan and goals for the next day so I know exactly what I want to focus on when I start.
I’m normally in bed by… around 9.30pm. I like an early night so I’m well rested for the day ahead.
Image credit: Charlotte Lewis,WP Group
