The TAB Insider

30 January 2025??

I’ve recently crossed the three-year mark at TAB. It’s been an incredible journey. Having started my career as a sales admin, I’ve now progressed to junior BDM and learned invaluable lessons about both the industry and me along the way.?

If there's one key insight I've gained, it's that persistence and consistency truly make a difference. Those small efforts, whether it’s one more meeting or an extra phone call eventually add up to something bigger.?

Following my recent promotion, I've taken on greater responsibilities from helping to identify and generate business opportunities to supporting deal creation and continuing to assist the team in closing deals. But, building client relationships remains a core focus of my work, and it continues to be one of my most rewarding responsibilities! ?

To continue building relationships and remaining transparent, I'm happy to share this week's TAB Insider, offering insights into how 2025 has begun and providing a glimpse into my professional journey.?

What’s been going on this week??

I am currently supporting a multi-million-pound portfolio purchase of pubs across the UK, including several in Scotland. TAB is providing 85% of the purchase price to help our clients secure this below-market-value deal.?

By delivering tailored funding solutions and acting swiftly, we’re helping our clients capitalise on this unique opportunity to expand their portfolio. This project highlights TAB’s commitment to supporting ambitious investors in achieving their goals, even in highly competitive markets.?

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Quote of the week: ?

“If it’s not in writing, it never happened.” – Duncan Kreeger ?

Need I say more??

I recently came across an article about a Canadian case where a judge ruled that a thumbs-up emoji on WhatsApp could be considered a valid signature for a contract. The judge determined that the emoji constituted a binding acceptance of the contract terms. While this ruling is interesting, I like to take things one step further. I’m very deliberate when it comes to clarifying when a deal is done. If we’ve discussed terms over the phone, I always follow up in writing to explicitly confirm the details.?

In an industry where things move as quickly as they do, being on the same page is crucial. Any miscommunication or lack of clarity can lead to delays, and delays can cost more than just time. You can never be too cautious when it comes to ensuring everyone involved understands and agrees on the terms. Written confirmation isn’t just a best practice; it’s a safeguard for efficiency and trust.?

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A typical day in my life?

If I'm in the office, I am up at 6:30am, shower, get dressed, and leaving by 7am to be in the office by 7:30am. First up: coffee, emails and my to-do list (a tip from Andy Reid’s secret to success). ?

The rest of the day is packed with phone calls, meetings and handling new enquiries to get terms out quickly. I leave the office around 5:30pm and head straight to the gym for an hour-long workout. After that, it’s home to tie up any loose ends with a few final emails before calling it a night. It’s a fast-paced routine, but it keeps me ready for whatever the next day brings?

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The most challenging part of my job?

As a new Junior BDM, I'm mastering the art of workload prioritisation. The challenge lies in strategically balancing tasks that can be delegated and those that need my full attention, while learning to distinguish between quick wins and projects demanding deeper strategic focus.?

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My top tip for getting a quick decision?

Package the deal with everything you have—credit reports, past valuation reports, details on any adverse credit, or potential challenges. The more information you provide upfront, the faster decisions can be made.?

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What’s coming up??

On 13 February, Andy Reid and I will be attending the Crystal Specialist Finance Ball, their 2025 golf day and awards night at The Belfry Hotel. Looking forward to connecting with industry peers there! ?

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I hope you enjoyed this edition of the TAB Insider—don’t forget to subscribe for the next one!?

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If you want to catch up, contact me on:??

Email: [email protected]?

Phone: 07933 635 858?