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My week: Bob Skinner
A recent week in the life of Bob Skinner, HSBC Commercial Banking's area commercial director for the Fens:
A recent week in the life of Bob Skinner, HSBC Commercial Banking's area commercial director for the Fens:MONDAY
In my role as area commercial director for the Fens, I work across an extensive geographical area, spanning Peterborough, Skegness, Stamford, Rutland and the many market towns in between.
It's my responsibility to look after the 13 commercial managers, six business development managers and numerous support staff located across the area. Perhaps an easier task if they were all based in the same building, but they're all based in different towns, right in the heart of the local business communities. My week, therefore, means a lot of travelling, getting out and about in the region, supporting the staff, and meeting our business customers.
Today, I'm in our commercial centre in Cathedral Square in Peterborough. The management information comes on screen, giving me a chance to reflect on how the teams did in the previous week and identify what we might need to focus on in the coming week. I can also see precisely how much time was spent with customers, getting out there and actively helping support local businesses.
Across the UK, our relationship managers are spending 30 per cent more time with customers than they were last year – and our four relationship managers and their support in Peterborough are, week in week out, seeking solutions to help local businesses weather the current economic storm.
TUESDAY
I speak to my managers throughout the week – allocating one-to-one catch-ups as well as constantly being "on call" for them. Early on in the week we discuss when and how they might need my help over the coming days.
Despite the challenges posed by the domestic market, this isn't dampening businesses' desire to make the most of opportunities overseas. International business is something HSBC knows more than a thing or two about, having 9,500 offices in 85 countries worldwide.
We've teamed with UKTI to hold an event for exporters. Today, I meet with senior commercial manager Steve Watson to meet with UKTI to discuss the event we're holding on September 15 at the East of England Showground, in Peterborough. The theme is Export of Recyclables, and it'll be open to all businesses that are looking for information and guidance on this topic.
I also meet with a Peterborough-based manufacturing business that distributes its wares on three different continents. As an international business it wanted to know more about how we could help it to manage its finances globally. With our 8,500 relationship managers across the globe poised to help businesses negotiate international trade, banking and specialist financial solutions, it's certainly something we can help this business with.
WEDNESDAY
Today, I spend the day in the north of my area, Spalding and Boston, meeting with staff and customers. I sit down with my team and discuss the businesses in their portfolios. We consider how we might help particular customers with their specific needs. Every case is different, a one-size-fits-all financial solution is just not appropriate for the wide range of local businesses we serve.
At lunch I head out with the Boston Rotary Club, which I'm a member of. I'm committed to being an active member of the community, and these meetings aren't just a great way to get myself known locally and to network – although it's obviously hugely useful for this too – it's a chance to interact with some of the area's most prominent businesspeople and get some great insights into the issues that concern, interest and motivate them. THURSDAY
Part of my job is to ensure we offer a full professional service to our customers, so we have business specialists who look after invoice finance and trade services among other fields. I hold meetings with them this morning to see what they're working on and ensure there is ongoing dialogue between them and our relationship managers.
It's well documented that many small and medium sized businesses are finding times tough. We are there to help businesses in difficulty, but we'd much prefer to work with companies to identify potential problems before they escalate and offer them the advice and solutions to help.
This afternoon I work with my team to identify customers that might benefit from our assistance. We choose to be proactive on accounts showing signs of stress, and reach out to them.
FRIDAY
The week might be drawing to an end, but, as ever, my day is peppered with phone calls and queries – all part and parcel of being there as a sounding board and guide for staff based all across the Fens.
I'm lucky to be supported by seasoned professionals senior commercial manager Steve Watson, and commercial manager Roger George, who are both based in Peterborough – between us we have more than 100 years of banking experience.
I meet with the managers today to look at how everyone has pulled together over the week – the successes as well as the areas we need to focus on the following week. We schedule in meetings with business customers and potential customers, we identify networking opportunities (and keep our fingers crossed for a golf day and some fine weather) and we make time for staff development.
It's a great team, professional and dedicated, and I'm proud of their performances and commitment to the local business community. It will have been a busy week, and undoubtedly next week will be just as busy, but hopefully just as rewarding.
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Weather for Peterborough
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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Wind direction: East
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