‘I respect Elon Musk... He’s not afraid to fail’

Q&A Where business people discuss their motivation, ambition, experience - and themselves. In the spotlight this month is Dan Tebay, head of corporate sales at regional recycling and waste management specialist Cawleys.

All I could picture was a portakabin next to a landfill site. On arrival, it was very different.

What was your first job?

My first job was working for Clarks Shoes which I started when I was 15. I actually lied on my CV to say I was 16 as I was keen to start making some money and gaining independence.

Why did you choose your particular career?

When I left school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do other than wear a nice suit and drive a flash car so I did a university degree in Business & Management.

Our third year was a work placement and I somehow - begrudgingly, at the time - ended up working for a waste company. Before the interview all I could picture was a portakabin next to a landfill but on arrival, it was very different. I haven’t looked back since.

What’s the best job you’ve had and why?

The job I am in now. Cawleys is an excellent employer and has rewarded my hard work with two promotions in the six years I have worked here. Not just that but also the extra incentives where Cawleys go above and beyond to look after their staff. I have never been treated as well by another employer.

…and the worst?

Probably my first sales job after leaving uni. Looking back, it was actually below minimum wage going door knocking but it helped build my character and started me on my sales career, which is the positive I take from it.

What’s the best advice you’ve received in business?

To manage a customer’s expectations. Never overpromise or underdeliver.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

As a salesperson, my performance is measured by how much revenue I deliver in a given financial year so it has to be the largest contract I won which was a distribution centre for a large retail chain. It was worth double my annual sales target by itself.

…and the low point?

I was once put on a Performance Improvement Plan in a previous job as I was struggling to meet my target. In the end I knuckled down, put in the extra hours and pulled myself out of that particular hole, thankfully.

Who in business do you respect the most?

I struggled to think of someone less mainstream but Elon Musk has to be right up there. He’s not afraid to fail, dust himself off and go again. Persistence wins every time.

What annoys you the most in business?

Probably customers being mistreated by their incumbent supplier. We provide a better solution and when they tell their incumbent they are leaving, the supplier say they will match the solution and pricing I put forward… and the customer stays with them.

What’s the best thing/worst thing about where you work?

Best: Knowing our service delivery will back up what I tell my new customers it will be - more reliable than what they are currently getting. Worst: The office being almost 40 miles from my home, although this has become a bit of a non-issue since Covid, thankfully.

What’s your career ambition?

If we’re talking ultimate career ambition, to become CEO of my beloved Liverpool FC.

…and your life ambition?

To achieve financial freedom as early in life as possible Dan Tebay

What has been the best moment of your life?

Holding my first-born child for the first time.

…and the worst?

Quite a dark question for this interview...

How do you relax?

Messing around with my kids. Getting a sweat on exercising. Letting loose listening to music

What’s your guilty pleasure?

A nice bottle of full-bodied red wine and a good charcuterie board… and cigarettes.

What’s your worst fault?

I love my sleep more than a father of three is supposedly allowed to.

What’s your most treasured possession?

The watch my wife gave me on our wedding day

What are you afraid of?

‘Manage Anything that would mean I a customer’s don’t get to spend every day with my wife and kids. expectations. Also falling from a huge Never overpromise height or being lost treading water in the vast ocean. But or underdeliver.’ they are fairly generic fears, I reckon.

What annoys you most in life?

When driving, letting someone into my lane and they don’t signal to say thank you. I find it really irritating.

Tell us something you regret.

Anything I regret is far too dark to be mentioned in this interview

Tell us a secret about yourself.

No thanks… I’m starting to think this interview is a sting operation. LOL.

MY FAVOURITE...

FOOD Medium rare steak, blue cheese sauce, salt, red wine. MUSIC / SONG Anything by Jamie Webster. BOOK The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. FILM American Gangster. TV PROGRAMME Match of the Day. RESTAURANT Boisdale. DESTINATION Ibiza.

Which two historical figures would you most like to talk to and why?

n Whoever was in charge of Egypt when the Pyramids were built. Their precision always blows my mind. n Jeffrey Epstein, to see what he really knew.

What are the first 3 things on your bucket list?

n To see the ancient wonders like the Pyramids and Puma Punku/Machu Picchu n Diving the Great Barrier Reef n I have never been to New York and I want to get a sandwich from Katz deli

What music/song would you like played at your funeral?

Living in a Box by Living in a Box.