My first job was a Petrol Pump Attendant. I was serving people with something they needed, but I also loved going the extra mile by offering to check the water level or cleaning their windscreens or putting air in the tires. The feeling I got seeing the looks of appreciation then has stuck with me since.
I didn’t know what I really wanted to do for a career but eventually decided on a sales career and had great training with a telecommunications company before an ex-employee offered me some part time sales work selling commercial microwave ovens and glasswashing machines. This led to an offer to be Managing Director of a new subsidiary catering equipment company in Aberdeen. Other opportunities continued to arise after a few years before I embarked on my current business in 2000.
My wife and I celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary on June 24th last year. We have a son and daughter. My son Paul is happily married and lives 5 minutes away. He has two teenage sons. Our daughter is single and lives in Aberdeen. I love singing and playing guitar. Have lots of fun entertaining with a Barbershop Singing Chorus in Care Homes, etc.
Q: Where were you born, where were you raised, and where do you currently live (City, State/Province, Country)?
I was born and brought up in Fort William on the west coast of Scotland and have been living in Stonehaven just South of Aberdeen since 1977.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song or movie and why does it resonate with you?
This is the first verse of a song by George Strait called “The Older I Get.” “The older I get, the more I think, you only get a minute, better live while you’re in it. It’s gone in a blink, the older I get.” This resonates with me because a favourite quote/affirmation of mine is “I chose to live in the present moment and appreciate each day for what it is, a precious gift.”
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your business?
I have been running a Digital Marketing Agency since the year 2000 specialising in Local Marketing. I got my first book published in 2020 called “The Book on Local Marketing” which gives 10 online secrets for generating leads locally. I have recently launched a new software to allow website owners make their website stand out from the crowd by greeting all visitors with a personalised video welcome and then encouraging them to take various actions like Book an Appointment, etc.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
I had tried a few business opportunities and a business consultant asked me in the late 90s what I knew about the Internet. I said “Nothing.” He said, “Find out all you can about it. It’s going to be big.” So I started to learn and am still learning today.
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I love learning new skills and helping other people. I love being able to have online meetings with many interesting people all over the world.
Q: What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Learn a skill to help people solve problems and put it into action. Get really good at it and then learn another skill, get organised to be really efficient and never stop learning.
Q: What is one of your favorite places to be or travel to?
A little village called Kenmore in Perthshire, Scotland.
Q: If you could choose anyone (past or present, fictional or real) with whom to have lunch, who would it be and why?
I would love to have lunch with Bob Burg and Kathy Tagenel as they have made me so welcome in The Go Giver Success Alliance Community and I am getting great wisdom.
Q: Who inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
My wife keeps me on my toes.
Q: How did you first discover “The Go-Giver”?
I was introduced to book by John Thornhill who is a top marketer in the UK and runs a programme called, The Partnership to Success. The first step he suggested was to read “The Go-Giver.”
Q: Who would you like to see featured on The Faces Of The Go-Giver Community and why?
Eric Stofman. I found him very interesting when we spoke at one of the events. Would love to learn more.
Q: Finally, how can we know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection or prospective customer/client for you?
Right now anyone who realises the importance of the human touch and building relationships like Coaches, particularly Health and Wellness Coaches, Financial Advisers, Web Designers, Home Services Businesses.
Please include your website link if you have one!
https://webecommarketing.co.uk
