Clearview National January 2019 - Issue 206 | Page 10

DIRECTOROFTHEMONTH
No two days are
ever the same
Our director of the month for January
is Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens DipM
MCIM, Commercial Manager, DHF
(Door & Hardware Federation)
When did you join (or
start) the company?
I joined DHF in October 2015
in the role of Marketing Manager
and was promoted to Commercial
Manager in September 2018
to head the new Commercial
Department.
Describe your working
day (from the time you
leave the house, etc.)
My ‘work’ day starts at 06:45
and by this time, I’m already
on the BBC News website to
check whether there is anything
industry-related that DHF can
respond to or comment on.
Whilst travelling into work, I am
thinking about the day ahead,
and I always write a ‘to-do’ list
each Monday morning.
What I love most about my
role is that no two days are ever
the same. I may well have a day of
meetings, or a free day in which
to complete tasks, but by Friday, I
am already planning the following
week’s activities.
I’m a very focused person and
don’t tend to break for lunch; a
bad habit I know. I love being
busy and am excited by the
progress that DHF has made,
both as an organisation, and
with regard to its place in the
industry.
What is your workspace
like? (tidy/organised etc.)
I am a naturally organised
person and always know
where everything is, although
throughout the day my desk can
look a little chaotic. Every now
and then, I’ll have a ‘purge’ of
paperwork and clear my desk
completely, which makes me feel
more ordered.
First thing you do when
you get to your desk?
I switch on my computer, take
my coat off, then make myself a
peppermint tea. Checking my
calendar, emails and making a
‘list’ are a close second.
What websites help you?
The newly-branded DHF
website launched in July 2017
and is a continual source of
information. Further websites
are the HSE website and our
members’ websites. I also spend
time on the CSCS website as
DHF moves towards issuing
CSCS cards. And of course,
twitter and LinkedIn are our
chosen social media platforms.
Most useful business tool?
(Sat nav/apps etc.)
As a tool, Google Analytics
is helping me to do the website
analysis part of my job and
through this, we can determine
which pages on the DHF website
are most frequently visited,
and more importantly, which
ones need refreshing. This level
of information is invaluable.
Additionally, the DHF website
is a particularly useful; the ‘back
end’ allows me to run queries
about how many of our members
have logged in and used the site
and helps me to calculate the
10 » JAN 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
conversion rates of those applying
for membership and those
booking onto a training course
from the enquiry stage. on the cake of a hugely successful
year. Of course, our achievements
are a team effort, and we have a
great team here.
Best business decision
in your current role?
To take my new role! The
Commercial Manager position
sees me managing the marketing
and commercial training
functions, both of which are
linked. Additionally, launching
online payments for training
courses which will really help
with the booking process, and
I am now looking into the
accreditation for our courses; a
really significant move forward
for DHF.
I would like to believe that
some of the decisions I have made
have had a significant impact on
the organisation’s development,
growth and success. A branding
overhaul in 2017, which
encompassed a new website,
literature and logo has presented
DHF to the world as a more
professional entity. In September
this year, we moved to our new
premises with an on-site training
academy, which was the cherry Favourite role
models and why?
When I was studying Business
and Marketing, I wanted to be
like the late Sir John Harvey Jones
and be a business trouble-shooter
– there’s still hope for me yet!
Beyond that, my parents; they
were wonderful people and taught
me to be honest and believe in
what I was marketing. That’s why
I’ve been so selective as to whom I
have worked for in my career.
From the industry, I do admire
Suzannah Nichol MBE, CEO of
Build UK. She is a very inspiring
woman and whenever I hear her
speak, I feel motivated.
How do you unwind?
I love nothing more than to
visit the theatre or cinema or
dine out with my family. We visit
the local village pub most Friday
evenings to unwind and catch up
with other locals.
www.dhfonline.org.uk