A week in the life... Mike Lord

In a new feature for Bdaily, Mike Lord, chair and chief executive of Stiltz Homelifts, provides an insight into his typical working week, highlighting how he balances commercial sector demands with life outside the office.

Monday: What gets you motivated for the start of the working week?

The radio alarm clock is tuned to Times Radio and set for 6am. 

I get up, feed and walk the dogs, then feed myself while having a quick read of the papers. 

I love my job, helping to create the success that Stiltz Homelifts is having. 

It exports globally and is on track for $100 million turnover; that’s what gets me up and ready for the working week.

I catch up with my PA Lucy. We review calendar updates, urgent emails, my to-do list and travel plans, plus the stuff people need from me.

Monday is typically an office day where I’m at our West Midlands headquarters, and includes internal meetings. 

This could be health and safety, a ‘group people’ meeting or a catch up with our IT strategy team. 

The meetings tend to run in the afternoon, so our US people can join. 

Other meetings can include a briefing session with our  research and development team, to keep me up to date with product developments, or a chat with one of the senior team, which might include making decisions on capital projects.

Tuesday: The diary is full of meetings and commitments – how do you balance such responsibilities with productivity?

 My role isn’t just about my responsibility or my productivity – it’s about everybody else’s too. 

Tuesday tends to be an ‘out and about’ day. 

I might visit one of our other offices in Berkshire or Yorkshire. 

I might call in on a key dealer or arrange an industry catch up with colleagues from the British Healthcare Trades Association.

Wednesday: Halfway there – how do you stay focused and re-energise yourself for the days to come?

No need to re-energise for Wednesday, as I am just as motivated as I was on Monday morning.

Wednesday tends to be the big meeting day, perhaps looking at strategy or operating plans. 

We might review sales by territory, consider projections and determine market progress in terms of lead generation and conversion. 

Thursday: The weekend draws closer – how do you stay on top of your to-do list as the end of the week gets nearer? 

The to-do list never gets shorter, as there's always a new project starting. 

But some of the things I didn't get around to looking at drop off the agenda. 

Experience has shown those probably shouldn't have been there anyway.

I am also lucky to have an amazing PA; Lucy makes sure nothing important is forgotten.

When I have time, I walk around to see what's going on in research and development or other departments. 

I’ll have ad hoc discussions in the office and share findings with the chief finance officer, sales director and other senior leaders. 

We make a lot of decisions this way. It keeps things moving along nicely.

Friday: The last day – how do you approach Fridays, and how do you unwind after the working week that has just passed?

Friday is about catching up on admin, but also planning for the next week, such as making notes for meetings. 

I always aim to end each week with a positive mental review of what we’ve achieved as a team. 

I have a Friday night takeaway with at least some of our seven adult children.

It’s a busy mealtime, with everyone talking about what they’ve been up to and their weekend plans. 

This is often followed by a very competitive snooker game, with lots of family banter.  

Saturday and Sunday are slower; long dog walks, outside chores and maybe a mountain bike ride, plus evening socialising. 

• If you would like to take part in this feature - or Bdaily's other profile platforms - email editor Steven Hugill at steven@bdaily.co.uk

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