Danny Hague, who having spent the majority of his working life in the glazing industry, is not ready
to sit back and take things easy now he has reached the senior position of group commercial director
at Cheshire based Advantage Windows and Conservatories.

Hague has come up the hard way. From his roots on a tough estate in Warwick he learnt many of his
skills through direct selling for Anglian Windows. He still believes that was the best training he could
possibly have had for a career in sales management. After he left Anglian, spells followed with major
companies in systems and trims and both commercial and trade fabrication.

The Installer decided to shadow Hague on a typical day on the road. We caught up with him at a hotel
near the factory in Poynton, Cheshire, where he stayed overnight after the previous day's board
meeting had run late into the evening.

06:15 It is too early for breakfast.
The day begins with a two hour journey to Leeds to visit
one of Advantages biggest customers.

08:15 Hague commences a meeting that covers a whole
range of issues that are vital to his customer's business.
The main topic of conversation is about how Advantage
can help with future growth plans.

10:45 After an intense two and a half hour meeting, Hague
emerges to be greeted by no less than 11 messages on
his mobile phone. He spends the next 30 minutes making
action notes from his meeting and clearing his messages.

11:15 Hague sets off for his second meeting of the day
in Doncaster.

12:15 Hague attends his second meeting with a customer
who wants to discuss marketing support for his planned
new showroom.

14:00 Having completed the best part of a two hour meeting,
he then heads to Woodall services on the M1 to catch-up
with his national sales manager Matthew Judge.

14:15 Hague meets Judge to catch up on the activities of
the field sales team. They have just enough time to grab a
sandwich and a coffee in between taking several phone
calls and liaising with the factory to see how the day's order
book is shaping up. Matthew Judge has worked with Danny
Hague on & off for over 10 years and is used to a fast pace.

19:00 The Installer left Hague and Judge as they were
checking into their hotel and preparing to meet their client.
Both looked tired but pleased with their day's achievements.
Tomorrow they would both be on the road again 200 miles
away in different parts of the country.

A few extra questions from

So Danny is that a typical day?

Danny: Yes it is. Even though I am a director of the company, I see my role as being very actively
involved in the field, assisting my sales team of Matthew, Clive Ellis and Joe Makin to look after
our existing customers and also going after new business.

: How many miles do you cover and is this a typical day?

Danny: Number one – I would estimate between 45-55 thousand miles per year.
And two – with this amount of fieldwork results in a great deal of paperwork. I still need
to spend time in the office but I have a PA – Jane Steele to assist me with that part of my work.

: How do you keep track of all the calls you get during the day?

Danny: You learn to prioritise your time. My philosophy is that the customer is king.
If a customer needs me he'll get me. You never know what will happen next. I get anything from
a customer wanting to discuss the progress of an order to a new prospect looking at potentially
spending tens of thousands of pounds per year. You just have to make yourself available.