Nomination "Fonetrader has been dealing with Hugh Symons for many years now and has forged very strong and lasting relationships with all the key members of staff. Our account manager Tony Marsh is very proactive and eager to help in any way possible. We deal with Hugh Symons on a daily basis and the service is always first class. Tony continues to make us feel valued and as we continue to broaden our portfolio we hope this continues." Darren Magnus, Fonetrader
Q What was your first paid employment?
Working for my father at Yeovil Ski Centre as the centre manager. My first pay packet went on a remote control aircraft!
Q How long have you worked for Hugh Symons?
A year now, though I used to work for the company five years ago. After leaving to try my hand at different roles, I realised that I missed Hugh Symons and waited for an opportunity to rejoin the business. I maintained contact with the management team over this time and with expansion in the field sales force in early 2006 I was offered one of the new roles.
Q What is the best aspect of your job?
I love the diversity of the different businesses that I deal with and the range of great characters that run them. No day is ever the same, pounding those miles!
Q And what is the worst?
Traffic jams.
Q What will you do next?
I had been trying to get back into HSC for three years, so now that I'm here I want to work hard make the most of the opportunity to grow my dealer base whilst enjoy being part of the team. Living near the office and working remotely gives me the best of both worlds.
Q Your home is on fire and you can rescue only one thing. What is it?
My personal laptop – my life is on that thing!
Q What’s the first record or CD you bought?
Bruce Willis, Under the Board Walk! The last music that I bought was Snow Patrol.
Q If you could change anything about the mobile industry and your role in it, what would it be and why?
I think that this is the year for the networks to clarify what they have planned for the indirect channel. With so many recent changes in policy related to quality-driven KPIs, dealers are really nervous about what future they have to play in the changing world of indirect. In an ideal world I would like to get long term strategy views from the networks so I could help my dealers plan better for the future.
Q Cats or dogs?
Dogs. I lost my dog last year at a grand old age of 17 - RIP Bianco
Q Marmalade or Marmite?
Has to be Marmite.
Q Chelsea or not?
Sorry, who? Up the Gunners!
Q If you were a mobile phone, which would you be and why?
Nokia N73 - it's got it all.
Q You’re designing a mobile handset for the future. What functions would it have and why?
I think that mobiles have far too many functions; I use only a small part of what my personal W850i can do. For work the best function is mobile email, it makes me work so much more efficiently.
Q What’s the question you are asked most often in the average working week?
What the networks are planning for the future.
Q What keeps you awake at night?
My next door neibours -- mind you, it sounds like they are having fun!
Q Who inspires you and why?
I would never say that only one person inspires me, apart from my Dad. There are many people that have elements of inspiration that I like to pull on.
Q And finally – what do you think about being awarded DM of the month?
I feel very chuffed that Darren values the service I offer Fonetrader so highly, and I'm thankful that Hugh Symons have backed up Darren's views and put me forward for DM of the Month. It's good to be recognised for the work you do.
Working for my father at Yeovil Ski Centre as the centre manager. My first pay packet went on a remote control aircraft!
Q How long have you worked for Hugh Symons?
A year now, though I used to work for the company five years ago. After leaving to try my hand at different roles, I realised that I missed Hugh Symons and waited for an opportunity to rejoin the business. I maintained contact with the management team over this time and with expansion in the field sales force in early 2006 I was offered one of the new roles.
Q What is the best aspect of your job?
I love the diversity of the different businesses that I deal with and the range of great characters that run them. No day is ever the same, pounding those miles!
Q And what is the worst?
Traffic jams.
Q What will you do next?
I had been trying to get back into HSC for three years, so now that I'm here I want to work hard make the most of the opportunity to grow my dealer base whilst enjoy being part of the team. Living near the office and working remotely gives me the best of both worlds.
Q Your home is on fire and you can rescue only one thing. What is it?
My personal laptop – my life is on that thing!
Q What’s the first record or CD you bought?
Bruce Willis, Under the Board Walk! The last music that I bought was Snow Patrol.
Q If you could change anything about the mobile industry and your role in it, what would it be and why?
I think that this is the year for the networks to clarify what they have planned for the indirect channel. With so many recent changes in policy related to quality-driven KPIs, dealers are really nervous about what future they have to play in the changing world of indirect. In an ideal world I would like to get long term strategy views from the networks so I could help my dealers plan better for the future.
Q Cats or dogs?
Dogs. I lost my dog last year at a grand old age of 17 - RIP Bianco
Q Marmalade or Marmite?
Has to be Marmite.
Q Chelsea or not?
Sorry, who? Up the Gunners!
Q If you were a mobile phone, which would you be and why?
Nokia N73 - it's got it all.
Q You’re designing a mobile handset for the future. What functions would it have and why?
I think that mobiles have far too many functions; I use only a small part of what my personal W850i can do. For work the best function is mobile email, it makes me work so much more efficiently.
Q What’s the question you are asked most often in the average working week?
What the networks are planning for the future.
Q What keeps you awake at night?
My next door neibours -- mind you, it sounds like they are having fun!
Q Who inspires you and why?
I would never say that only one person inspires me, apart from my Dad. There are many people that have elements of inspiration that I like to pull on.
Q And finally – what do you think about being awarded DM of the month?
I feel very chuffed that Darren values the service I offer Fonetrader so highly, and I'm thankful that Hugh Symons have backed up Darren's views and put me forward for DM of the Month. It's good to be recognised for the work you do.
If you’ve had good service from a distributor, don’t hold back – call the editorial team at Mobile Business: T: 01895 454539 • E: editor@mbmagazine.co.uk