In this feature, we find out what makes Kevin tick, what are his daily habits, and what items can’t he leave the house without.
Name: Kevin Ellis
Organisation: Grant Engineering UK Ltd
Job title: Renewables sales manager
Location in the UK: National
Your company/business in one line: One of the UK’s leading heating specialists
My alarm goes off at …
I don’t need an alarm; when I’m at home, I get woken up anytime from 4.30am to 6.00am depending on what time my young son wakes. When travelling I don’t normally set an alarm but normally wake naturally around 5.30am.
The first thing I do each day is …
I change my son’s nappy, let the dog out and then have a strong coffee. If I am away on business visiting clients, the first thing I do is enjoy the silence!
I prepare for the day ahead by …
Checking through any emails that may have come in overnight and actioning them if required. I also check over my to-do list and diary to plan the day’s workload to get the most out of the time I have.
I can’t leave the house without …
My phone and wallet. If I have these two things I can either buy what I have forgotten or phone the wife to drop it off.
My typical day…
My days are never typical. My work days are all so different and varied. Sometimes I work from home or the office but most days are spent out on the road visiting existing and potential customers and these range from small installers to large utility companies. I also arrange a time to see the regional and area sales managers when I am in their areas, this would normally involve an evening meal and a catch-up. I can be in the car at 5am or still in the car at 10pm, that’s what I like about the job, no two days are the same.
My most memorable work moment …
Mine was really recent and it was at the National ACR and Heat Pump Awards winning ‘Heat Pump of the Year’ with Grant’s Aerona³ range. It was a huge testament to all the hard work the team have put in over the last few years.
The award is for the company from the external sales team to the employees in the warehouse, it was an honour to be able to go and collect the award which gives recognition for the work we have all put in.
The worst part of my job …
Paperwork. You ask anybody within the business what they wait for the most from me and it will be that. Mainly expenses and the back-office stuff, I know it needs to be done but I am not a massive fan and would like to have someone do this for me.
The best part of my job …
…is selling – that buzz you get when you have had a good meeting and you get an order on the back of it. I love building relationships and getting to know our customers, nothing beats that for me. Also being part of an excellent team of sales managers, after the last few years with Covid has really made me appreciate that having them around to bounce off of and be on the end of a phone is invaluable.
I relax after work by …
I love cooking and it gives me time to reflect and unwind. Some music on and a glass of wine whilst making dinner is always a good way to switch off for a few hours from a busy day.
On my bedside table is …
A baby monitor, a bottle of water and normally an Andy McNab book – currently reading ‘Cold Blood’. I can’t wait to get rid of the monitor though…
The last thing I do each day is …
Check my emails to make sure I do not have to change the following day around and then read some news and sport. I love catching up on the football and cricket before bed. I always kiss the kids and the wife good night, regardless of how much they have annoyed me during the day, they are why I get up every morning and a few times in the night as well.
I’m normally in bed by …
I really don’t have a set time, if out with customers it can be 2am or 3am but if at home it would normally be before 12 but it depends on my workload. I don’t really have an off button so if something needs doing, I will stay up and get it done – there is no way I am sleeping with anything on my mind.
Would you like to feature in our ‘Day in the life’ segment? Drop us a line at natalie@andpublishing.co.uk and we’ll be in contact.