What’s your favorite thing about working at Somero?

The people – whatever the role, Somero people just make stuff happen.

Seeing the sales growth and industry impact Worldwide has been and continues to be gratifying. Equally so, is the transformation of the Customer Support and Parts Supply Service we now provide. During recent years, this has improved to the point where I sense “customer confidence” is at its highest yet.

What’s your favorite aspect of your job?

It’s impossible for me to choose just one. However, being involved in many different aspects of the company’s endeavours with like-minded colleagues at all levels, adds an appreciable pleasure and variety.

Helping colleagues develop their abilities and careers, combined with assisting Somero’s clients to achieve the optimum from their investment in our equipment are equal favourites that I would have inscribed on my tombstone, along with “I told you I was ill”.😁

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Again, too numerous to mention just one!

Simplifying floor construction related topics, so that the information is easily understood and relayed in a way that promotes an individual’s self-confidence and motivation.

Answering the questions I always ask myself, “Have I done enough? Have I done it well enough? Has it helped enough?”

Maintaining diplomacy when a situation demands plain and direct speaking, is a personal challenge that I should not omit. 😇

What life experience has influenced your success at Somero?

Selling the first S-240 Laser Screed commercially in the world and witnessing the impact Somero technology has had on the floor construction industry globally since 1986. I was lucky to being trained by and work extensively with Dave Somero (inventor of the Laser Screed) in the formative years, which put me in good stead when working extensively on site promoting and applying the technology to best effect.

How do you like to start your workday?

A cup of coffee and a cigarette, followed by another cup of coffee and another cigarette, usually accompanied by compiling/updating my priority to-do lists. I’m old fashioned & perhaps a little weird, so I like physically writing my list on paper to better activate my mind and have to admit to enjoying striking off the completed tasks – you just don’t get the same sense with a computer, or iPad based list!

How do you like to spend your time off?

Presently, I’m enjoying spending more time fishing with my father. He was the “unsung hero” that from the very beginning, financed the Laser Screed operation in Europe and Scandinavia and I believe, one of the reasons I do my best to help colleagues develop and succeed in their roles.

In addition to this, my hobbies are many: home improvement projects, beekeeping, game shooting, motorcycle touring, gentle off road mountain-bike riding, scuba diving and rock climbing are all attempted when I have time and are a brave attempt to stave off the effects of advancing years. There are some in my life who would say, I haven’t grown up yet!

What was the best book you’ve read or movie you’ve seen recently?

The Concrete Society’s TR34 4th Edition – Concrete industrial ground floors a guide to design and construction. Hastily avoiding to appear as an antagonist and receipt of the Pink Slip, I would add that this is a book I constantly reference during the course of my work; have done for years!

They don’t appear to make good movies anymore, or I’m too stupid to understand the weird endings that are all too common, I’d rather pick one all time favourite, which would be Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. The depiction of William Wallace is good despite not being 100% historically accurate. The film reminds me of the Scottish countryside, particularly the West Coast & Highlands, which is fantastic when it’s not raining and have spent a lot of time there over the years. My only reservation is it being another depiction of the English receiving a good kicking, which I know appeals to many of my colleagues who presently reside in the British ex colony!!

What are you most excited about for both Somero and the future of concrete placement?

Getting to the other side of this current Coronavirus situation, new product launches and getting the company’s interests back on track.

Seeing colleagues being presented with new challenges and opportunities to grow and advance their role. 2020 is not going to be an easy year, but we have a lot of “In-Company” talent that I believe have the motivation and will help achieve what needs to be done.