Name: Michael Lloyd Yates
Company: Bell Agricultural Engineers, Romney Marsh, Kent
Age: 35

Q. How did you become involved with the agricultural engineering business?
A. Being from a non farming background, my first inspiration was via a local dairy farmer who allowed me to help out in holidays and weekends. This created the passion for the industry and after being offered a place at Drake & Fletcher’s John Deere dealership in 1988. Working alongside my mentor, Phil Amos and studying at South Kent College Ashford my career in agricultural engineering progressed with energy and enthusiasm for both the variety of products I worked on and the people I was working with.

Q. What jobs have you done so far?
A. My first job was as an apprentice for 4 years which was fantastic. I learnt so much both a college and at work. It was the variety of jobs which stimulated me to come to work each day. After a few years I became a specialist on big tractors over 250hp, not sure why, but I really enjoyed the work and no one else in the company specialised, so I thought it would help me progress in the company.
In 1998, when I started with bell Agricultural, I was given a large van and encouraged to manage my van, myself and my customers, a great challenge and a wonderful learning experience.
Now my role is changing to be more of a sales role, still taking in some machinery installation and Global Positioning System development I have been doing over the last few years.

Q. What has been your favourite job?
A. There’s so many!! The one I would choose though is the working on Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and the computerisation of agriculture. The conversation with friends about their in car sat nav systems being accurate to 10 meters, in agriculture we are working on 2cm error margins. Encouraging farmers to use this technology is very tough, but very rewarding when I sell them a system.

Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. Definitely the variety. Ever since I started work, I don’t think any day has ever been the same, and that’s been over 15 years!! I have worked for good companies who have helped me find what I like in the roles I have done which has been really helpful for my various roles.

Q. What qualifications did you have to enter the industry?
A. I didn’t work hard enough at school and finished with my GCSEs. I was good at maths, but spent more time working outside on the farm and in the dealer than I did on my school work. Once I knew my studies helped me in my work, I enjoyed studying much more and my City & Guilds qualification was much more fun than school!!

Q. What is the biggest challenge to your role?
A. Now that I’ve changed to a sales role, it’s far more different than I imagined. My technical skills are very helpful, but selling is a really challenge in different ways. I’m sure with experience, my ‘go get it’ attitude and support of Bell I’ll overcome those challenges and be a successful salesman.

Q. What is a typical working day?
A. There isn’t one!! The only consistent part of my day is that I have a shower in the morning!! I can visit farmers on a regular basis, search for new customers or provide support to farmers via the phone – I have a structure for my day, which can be thrown out of the window after my first conversation with my first customer!

Q. And your future?
A. To grow and develop myself within Bell Agricultural. They’ve allowed me to grow and develop within the team, we’ve all been involved in the development of the company since it was formed on 4th January 1998. Everyone’s opinion means something and that is really important to me. We’ve always been a team and that is something I want to grow into and be a successful salesman within the company