Meet The Team: Our Operations Director, Sam Smith!

Here we put Sam in the hot seat, to ask him some fun questions to find out more about him, his leadership style and motivations.

Can you provide a brief overview of your time at the company?

I joined Ideal365 in December 2022, from a completely different industry, but already had a few years’ experience in operational roles with lots of transferable skills. I’ve found my first couple of years really exciting, with every day being different, and being able to tackle new challenges and contribute to the growth and development of the business feels really good.

If you had to describe your leadership style using a movie title, what would it be?

One of favourite films is Happy Gilmore, so if I had to try and use that as an example of my leadership skills, I would say that It’s a story about determination, and the willingness to take an unconventional approach to achieve success. I like to embrace challenges head-on, while maintaining a sense of humour, and always try to just be me and rally others around my energy and passion. It’s about pushing boundaries, staying focused on the goal, and not being afraid to stand out or take risks when needed.

If Ideal365 was a superhero, what would the superpower be?

I would probably say invisibility, for the most part we go under the radar within the industry and sectors we operate in. We have a number of large scale nationwide accounts that we manage very successfully, but we try not to get dragged into the limelight too much, this allows us to focus and provide a great service to all our customers.

If you could hire anyone, dead or alive, to be a part of your team, who would it be and why? 

Ryan Reynolds! I think he just seems genuine and people would resonate with his humour and his personality. He’s a modern brand-builder, with his creativity and everything he has worked on he has managed to turn into a success. He doesn't shy away from making fun of himself, he humanises the brands he represents. His involvement in every level of a business shows his commitment and how dedicated he is to achieving his goals, which I think people respect and would look up too. If you take what he has done at Wrexham Football Club, his ownership has revitalised the club, gained them a massive following, and the documentary series 'Welcome to Wrexham' has helped generate a huge source of revenue for the club, and the surrounding area. A lot of his work focuses on giving back, which is something myself and Ideal365 really try to do as much as we can.

If you could write a letter to your younger self starting in this industry, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give?

Worrying doesn’t take aways tomorrow troubles, but it will take away today’s peace. Don’t worry so much about things you can’t control, tackle the problems that are in front of you one at a time. If you focus on problems, you will have more problems, if you focus on possibilities, you will have more opportunities.

What’s the most unconventional piece of advice you’ve received that helped you as a leader?

We come to work to work hard, it shouldn’t be hard work!

If Ideal365 could solve any world problem, what problem would you choose?

If I could snap my fingers, I would like to solve the environmental crisis I see the world to be in. We try to take steps everyday were we can, and strive to do as much as we can to address environmental sustainability within the cleaning industry, by trying to develop and promote eco-friendly products that are non-toxic and made from renewable resources. We look to reduce plastic in all our operational procedures and in as many products as possible.

What's the most unusual request you've received from a client?

One customer once emailed in to ask if we could supply a garden shed for one of their sites, and asked if we could deliver and erect onsite for them.

If you had a time machine, what era would you most like to visit to learn something for the future of the business?

I would really like to jump forward 10 years, to see the impact that AI and robotics is going to have, and see what how much of what we do now becomes automated - plus when I get back, this will help me and Ideal365 stay ahead!