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Chris Batten CEO ipatter
Blogs / Social Media
1 Feb 2012
- Norwich
A year in the life of the ipatter CEO - 01 Feb 2012
For some reason I didn't sleep well and I wake feeling like I should spend just a few more moments in bed. It's still dark and I can hear the wind, happy days. Up and in the bathroom. Shave and shower, god I need to loose some weight, i'm sure I had muscle there once.
No time for breakfast today, I need to get on the road as I am working with Andy on induction, our first two full time office staff, a part time Business Development Consultant and maybe a full time one too. Note to self; must get the new office up and running for the new guys.
The journey in is a combination of traffic frustrations and making calls (hands free) to my Sales Team and Regional Managers, to get there day started on the right footing. One of the calls reveals one of our team is having some confidence issues and might leave us. I'm not going to panic, all my team are important to me but I have faith in them and we all have wobbles from time to time. I will call and see if we can re-light the fire.
Andy starts the day proper, by going through the product with the new guys. I've heard him do this many a time but each time is a pleasure because his enthusiasm and passion remind me of why I'm doing this.
Just before lunch I dip out for a quick dental appointment and make a few calls to the team, stop off at the gym. My Personal Trainer takes me to my maximum heart rate and now I look like a Swan Vesta! On the way back I'm back on the phone to try and rescue my shaky sales person, no luck they're not answering. I leave messages that I know they will pick up. No need to panic, we selected well and they will talk when they're ready.
Return to the induction course, update Andy and then take over and introduce the new Networking product to the new team members. Oh yes, they get it first time, brilliant. we finish in good time and the troops leave the meeting room. I pack up my things and walk to the Car to make more calls.
Finally I get to talk to my faltering sales person, we talk, plenty of candour and we agree to meet and talk things over tomorrow. We both feel much better after the chat. Time to drive to home office and catch up on emails and administration. On the way I call my Regional Managers and andy giving them all an update.
Home, bring the bin in, walk the dog, get a cold drink, change and start the administration. During the admin take two more calls about business and call it a day at 20:30, time to relax.
My top tips for the day:
Passion is everything, no passion no results if you can't get passionate about the job you're in you're probably in the wrong job!
People will reflect your attitude so make sure you always have the right attitude. It should be no shock to discover, if you're negative those around you will be too. If you're happy they will be too, if you're sad they will be too.
Never stop communicating, you can solve an amazing amount of issues if you just take the time to talk. Never think me always think them, see it from their perspective first and then yours.
Can't wait for tomorrow, a few challenges but it's going to be a good one, I can feel it.
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Hi Kev, is that an experience you'd like to share so others can learn too? Good to see you on the site Kev.
All the best
CB
Communication is definately the key, don't let things linger - a lesson I learnt the hardway!