Graham Knight – Business Consultant
Graham Knight has been our Business Coach for the past three years. He provides objective advice and support at our monthly management meetings, and is in regular contact with our MD throughout the month discussing all things TVision, business plans and business growth.
Name someone you admire, and why?
My wife as she has the patience of a saint. Not only has she been married to me for 39 years but she looks after our 2 grandchildren (aged 6 and 4) from 0700 till 1900 two days a week. Whilst I love them to bits I’m exhausted within 10 minutes of their company. It’s a bit like the card where there is an old guy sitting in a chair with carnage all around him and the wife comes in from shopping and exclaims “Goodness have we been burgled?” and the old guy replies “No the grandchildren came round.”
What’s a typical day like for you?
Normally up at 0600, shower and straight into my office at home (or my perch as my wife calls it). Off to a client for the day and then back on my perch till 2100. An hour’s catch up TV (HIGNFY, WILTY, etc.) and bed.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
Not sure about skills or talent. I did get to Grade 5 on the piano when I was in my formative years. My wife bought me a new piano for my 50th and I should devote more time to re-learning how to play – but she’s just added “preferably when I’m out”.
If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be?
Walking in the mountains in spring/summer. Love the Alps, did the Pyrenees last year and will do the Dolomites for the second time this year.
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I was around 7 or 8 I remember saying I wanted to be in The Salvation Army (which seemed grander than the normal army). Goodness knows where that came from!
Finish this sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me… On my perch. Where would we be without the weekends to catch up?
How do you want people to remember you?
Was always there for people when they needed help.
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
Analysis, planning and patience.
Name three words that describe you: Workaholic (but is it “work” if you love what you do?); dependable; trustworthy
How do you think your colleagues would describe you?
Many clients have referred to me as the “voice of reason”
Name something surprising on your bucket list:
Walk up Ben Nevis (have done many peaks in Wales and several in the lake district). Did Snowden on my wife’s 50th birthday when it poured with rain. Had to take all our clothes off when we got back to the car which made for an interesting dash to our room when we got back to our hotel.
Describe a personal goal that you want to accomplish in the next year?
Practice what I preach and get a better work-life balance.
What publications do you regularly read?
The Metro when travelling to clients in London (or Woking). Tend to fall asleep as soon as I read a book. Have read page 1 of many books more than 10 times before giving up on it (with few exceptions).
What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
I get a buzz out of bird spotting (rather than watching) though I do use the hides at Titchfield Haven in January as there and at Farlington Marshes can mean 40-50 species spotted in a single day. Happy to organise a field trip if anyone is interested.
What are some causes you care about?
I try to support as many charitable causes as I can. Close family have been affected by cancer and I subscribe to The National Trust, the RSPB, the Ramblers…oh and a local hospice who have provided palliative care for several friends who sadly are no longer with us.
What do you do with friends in your spare time?
Walk, eat, drink (but not necessarily in that order!).
What would be your personal motto?
Always look on the bright side of life… because as the saying goes 97% of what we worry about never happens!
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