Driver Of The Month: January
We’re back, and this time we introduce our Driver of the Month for January: Chris Cowley!
In a hectic month for the company, where movements are at all-time highs, Chris has stood out as the most influential driver across the network. While continuing to be very helpful amongst the Ops Team, Chris has delivered an excellent service across the board and is showing no signs of slowing down, matching Engineius’ ethos of always aiming higher.
We spoke with Chris earlier this month to talk about his time with Engineius to date, and what sparks him to do so well in the role.
What do you love most about the job?
I enjoy the ability to choose my own work and set my own hours, allowing me to fit work around family life. A good balance between work and leisure is important to me as I’ve got a 3-year-old daughter that I want to spend as much time with as possible! I also enjoy interacting (socially distanced, of course) with different people, be it customers or other drivers I meet on the road. The freedom of being able to do jobs of your own choosing is rare in a workplace.
How do you ensure you deliver vehicles on time?
I do my research on the pick-up and drop-off sites before accepting the job, making sure they are both accessible by train or bus. I use the public transport function of Google Maps all the time to help with that. If possible, I make sure I factor in contingency times to allow for delays due to weather (snow in particular). I try not to fit too much into a day, as a small delay can have knock-on effects and cause problems later on.
What has been your best experience with Engineius so far?
I recently persuaded an old friend of mine to come and drive for us as he was looking for a change of career. We managed to both pick up a movement over to Belfast which gave us the opportunity to have a catch up on the ferry and flight back to Manchester - and get paid to do so!
How many miles do you do on average a week?
I’ve been managing about 1000 to 1500 miles a week. This doesn’t seem to have slowed down during the recent lockdowns.
What do you think are the secrets behind getting to where you’ve got to?
Preparation is key, and knowing the roads and rail links is important, especially when it comes to events such as train cancellations or road closures. Knowing the geography of the country helps too. This is something that is getting better for me, and I’m seeing places I never knew existed. I’m getting much better at working out which jobs I can tie together to get me closer to home at the end of the day. Knowing I’ve got the help of the Ops Team at the end of the phone is a great help in every driver’s success.
What drives you to succeed in this job?
Earning money! There are plenty of jobs available to do this. Since I joined, I have also been made to feel really welcome, and I admire the management team as all interaction is done remotely. This welcome feeling has made me want to succeed to help the company grow. I have heard from the team about future plans to expand and I want to be part of the journey.
Do you reconcile your jobs and expenses on a regular basis?
Yes, I have almost an OCD habit when it comes to expenses - I’ve got a filing system at home that I think only I could understand! I try and make sure I upload my receipts as soon as I get them to save me forgetting and hassling the Ops Team with an email later on.
What are you most excited for this year?
I’m looking forward to the world getting back to some sort of normality. I can see this business growing from strength to strength and this, in turn, will bring with it increased movements and more choice for jobs, and more earning potential.
What makes Engineius a special place to work?
As I’ve said earlier, there aren’t many jobs where you can pick and choose your own work. If I need to take a day off for something then I know I can. This makes planning your life so much easier. I come from a working background where I’ve worked random roster patterns, so I couldn’t commit to anything for more than a month ahead (not that there’s much to plan for at the moment). Being able to continue working throughout lockdown is also a great advantage.
What is the best advice you can give other drivers?
Make sure you plan ahead for your jobs, know how you’re going to get to and from jobs, and expect the unexpected. Make sure you allow enough time for delays with the pick-ups and delays en route. Don’t try and fit too much into a day, as this can cause problems. I’ve learnt this the hard way! Finally, prepare to work hard in order to see the best results.
By winning Driver of the Month, you not only have the opportunity to feature on the company website, but you will also win £20 in One4all vouchers. Keep up the great work and who knows, you may be our February Driver of the Month!
Interested in becoming an Engineius driver? Find out more here.