10 QUESTIONS WITH…
Each month, we ask a flooring industry professional 10 Questions. This month, we chatted to Frank Hobbs, Commercial Business Development Manager at Distinctive Flooring.
Also, his philanthropic work is second to none. It’s refreshing to see the world’s second richest man ploughing his net worth back into so many noble charities.
Q5
Q1 Q2
What was your first job? My first job was working as an
import/export clerk at Glover Brothers in Bishopsgate.
How did you get into the industry?
Rather by default! My then wife’s father had a retail carpet business in Manningtree, and he asked me to work with him to develop the commercial side to his business.
This gave me a lot of experience, helping me to build a practical background in project management, installation/ preparation methods, as well as developing new end-user business.
Q3 Q4
What has been your proudest moment?
The birth of my daughter at 12:37 on Saturday 14 September 1985 – I couldn’t quite believe that I had helped to create such a beautiful and joyous baby.
If you could hire any one person to be part of your
team, who would it be and why? Bill Gates – a man who I have admired since his start up of Microsoft with co- founder Paul Allen. He worked 16-hour days for five years to produce one of the world’s most successful companies.
I admire his sheer dedication and attention to detail. It’s his commitment, enthusiasm and perseverance that would be a huge asset to my team.
46 | 10 QUESTIONS
What’s the best advice you could give to
someone new coming into
the industry? One of my top tips is to be honest - both to yourself and to the company that employs you.
But, the best advice I could possibly give is to be honest to your customers. It’s their loyalty and trust that will build a reputable brand. And they’ll definitely see through any of your fakery.
Q6 Q7
If you could be any character from film or
TV who would you be? Easy: James Bond. He’s confident, daring and dashing — who wouldn’t want his sharp intelligence, smart attire and general charm?
What do you think are the positive and negative
aspects of the flooring trade? Positivity is one of my strong points. I absolutely love the fact that each day
brings new challenges to conquer. One of the most positive aspects for me, however, is the opportunity to cover the world one floor at a time.
As for the negative aspects? I don’t do negative - I think it’s important to be optimistic if you’re to be effective and practical in any role, but especially a sales-based one.
Q8
What do you think the future holds for
flooring design? One of the latest developments in the industry that I’m really excited about is virtual reality. It’s already making waves in the industry, supporting the consumers as they decide on which tiles are best - sometimes a sample just doesn’t cut it.
I’m also excited to see the new developments with robotics and software design capabilities - they will make the impossible possible, and hopefully in my business lifetime.
Q9
If you weren’t in flooring, what career
would you choose? I would definitely be an explorer.
Q10
Mark Brooks, Northern Sales
Representative Flooring, EGGER (UK) Ltd asked: What product or service in the industry do you
wish you had invented and why? I wish I had invented a furniture lifting system. They’ve revolutionised how a modular product can be installed in today’s workplace by allowing old flooring be pulled up and replaced without having to dismantle or reassemble furniture. Simply genius!
www.distinctiveflooring.co.uk
Check out next month’s issue to see what Frank asked our next industry professional…
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