A Day in the Life of Margaret Reeves
Managing Director at RefTech

Describe your perfect day at work.

A perfect day is one where everything goes to plan. The team's happy, the office is buzzing, we're confirming new business, and I've actually got some uninterrupted time to get stuck into my own to-do list. That doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's a real win. Ideally, I'd get into the office around 8am to enjoy that quiet head-start, and if I'm really lucky, a lunchtime walk with the dogs. I always put the team first; if they're in a good place, everything else tends to follow.

How do you respond when your day gets off to a bad start?

I tend to go quiet and take a moment to process. Then I reset and tell myself, "Right, let's get back on track." If something's bothering me, I find it really helps to talk it through, usually with Penny who is my right hand woman, or with Stephen my husband who also works for RefTech. Getting things off my chest helps me move forward. Everyone has off days, but it's how you bounce back that matters.

"Everyone has off days, but it's how you bounce back that matters."

Do you have any work rituals?

Yes, and they start before I've even got out of bed. I check the RefTech bank account first thing – that's my finance background kicking in. If I'm awake at midnight when it updates, I'll check it then too. Once I'm in the office, the first thing I do is update our cashflow spreadsheet, it's our business lifeline. I've started handing more of that over to Susie our finance manager, which is a big shift for me, but she's brilliant and I trust her completely. I also make a point of checking in with the team, especially the projects team who are on a different floor to me. Just asking "How's it going?" goes a long way.

What's your work Spotify playlist?

I love upbeat, energetic songs, anything feel-good. But I've also got a soft spot for soppy love songs! Heather Small's ‘Proud' is one of my absolute favourites. It's uplifting and powerful, the kind of song you can really belt out. The team do tease me about my singing though!

How do you unwind?

TV is my go-to, especially police and FBI dramas. I also play music at home when I'm doing housework. There's something energising about having the windows open and the music turned up.

How do you stay focused?

That's something I really have to work at. My brain jumps around a lot; I'll be halfway through something and suddenly remember another task I need to do. My to-do list is massive, and it can feel overwhelming. I know I need to prioritise and delegate more, but it's a work in progress.

How many meetings do you have every day?

It varies. Some days I have none, others it might be two or three. But I try to control when they happen so I can manage my time better.

Delegator or doer?

I'm definitely a doer. I'm not the best at delegating, mostly because I convince myself it's quicker to just do it myself. But I know that's not always helpful in the long run, and it's something I'm consciously working on.

WFH – triumph or disaster?

Disaster, for me personally. I found it really tough during lockdown because I need structure and space, and I get that from being in the office. I like being around people, it keeps me grounded and energised. That said, we do now offer flexible working, and for some of the team, working from home works really well. I think it depends on your role, personality, and stage in your career. But for me, the office is where I do my best work.

What song gets you motivated no matter what?

Proud by Heather Small. It never fails to lift me and it's a reminder of how far we've come and what we've achieved. It gives me energy and a real sense of purpose.

What's your dream job?

When I was younger, I actually wanted to go into the army. I passed the initial assessments, but I was the only one of my siblings left at home and wanted to stay close to support my mum. People always say it would have suited me; I'm quite direct, I like structure, and I'm not afraid to lead. I suppose in a way; I've ended up in a leadership role that still plays to those strengths.