A


D A Y


IN THE LIFE A fulfilling day


After 17 years in the police force, Nicola Collis-Smith turned to NIC Services Group for a better work-life balance. Here, she describes a typical day…


NIC OL A C OLLI S - S MITH Fra nchisee at


NIC Services Group


Nicola Collis-Smith wanted a career change that would allow her to spend more time with her family while building a valuable business. She launched the South Wales branch of NIC Services Group in 2016 with her daughter, Charlotte. Not only does she now run an extremely successful business but she also has the fl exibility and work- life balance that she set out to achieve.


7:00AM


I start the day like any other mum, getting the family organised! But I also fi t in a quick check of my emails while I’m having breakfast.


8:30AM


Since becoming a franchisee I'm able to take my son to school, something I could rarely do during my career with the police force.


9:00AM


I arrive back at the offi ce ready to start my working day. I read and respond to emails and make phone calls to both my team and to any clients. Charlotte, meanwhile, is out on the road carrying out audits as required with our clients to ensure the contracts are all running smoothly.


10:00AM


Charlotte and I meet up to discuss any challenges that may have arisen and our plans for the day. 11:00AM


Around this time I'll go out on a site visit. Today, it's a wedding venue where we provide a full cleaning service. I am meeting the client to ensure everything is running to plan and to catch up with my team.


12:30PM


I arrive back at the offi ce and my offi ce manager, Joanne, has now arrived so we sit down for a catch


p Nicola, far right, with her daughter Charlotte and Peter Robb, NIC's business development director


up meeting. I also grab a quick coffee and deal with any emails and phone calls.


1:30PM


I often attend networking events to build contacts and create new business. Today I am at a ladies’ networking lunch in Cardiff – a fantastic opportunity to boost my network of potential clients. The great thing about the cleaning industry is that almost everyone you meet at these events is a potential client, as they all have some form of premises that will require cleaning.


3:00PM


While in Cardiff I visit a potential client, a large retail distribution centre. I'm given a tour of the building, which allows me the chance to measure the fl oor space and accurately quote the job using NIC’s custom-built quoting tool.


4:00PM


I pick my son up from school and take him home. I enjoy being able to collect him every day and it gives us the chance to catch up on what he’s been up to that day.


4:30PM


I will have one last check of my emails and a quick catch up with Charlotte to check there’s been no challenges that need my attention. Then it’s back to all my usual duties as a busy working parent. l


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