24 hours in the life of Innovate Logistics' MD

A typical day in the life of Pete Osborne, managing director of Innovate Logistics:

My day usually starts at 6am - that's about the only constant from the moment I open my eyes. The logistics sector is dynamic and ever-changing, so no two days are ever the same. I generally aim to set off about 7.15-7.30am after a quick breakfast of cereal and grapefruit. I'm not a coffee or tea person, so try to drink plenty of water. It's about a 35-40 minute drive to the Innovate Logistics headquarters in Nottingham, depending on the traffic, although today it took me 1h 15m - bloody trucks! Sometimes I listen to Chris Moyles on Radio One, but the journey in is actually a great time to start thinking about the day and get a full depot report on what's going on at each site. As Innovate now has 19 distribution centres across the UK, this certainly passes the time. I like to keep a fairly close handle on the operation side of the business (without micro-managing) and be fully informed of what's going on where. After all, transparency and open communication are at the core of our business.

Once I get into work I either go straight into meetings or start reading emails - my inbox is averaging 100-150 daily. I wouldn't like to guess how many calls I get. The run up to Christmas is particularly busy and it's not unusual to have up to six meetings per day. It's all hands on deck making sure the operation is running as efficiently and smoothly as possible. We're always looking for new ways to further streamline and improve delivery and performance to support manufacturers and retailers. All this takes cooperation, collaboration and time - the reason for so many meetings! While I wouldn't go so far as to say that lunch is for wimps, I generally don't go out for lunch. It's usually a microwave meal or a sandwich at my desk, and a good time to check more emails and answer calls.

I think I learned the benefits of a hard work ethic early on, which is how I was able to build my own business successfully. I was taught lessons along the way from many different people and always respected those who ran impressive operations, such as Stobart and others. There was one guy in particular who taught me the two things which mattered most - customer service and cost control - and his name is Chris Hubbard. I've tried to maintain that work ethic throughout my career. I wouldn't call myself a gadgets man - I only have a laptop and a Blackberry, which I have to admit, I'd be lost without. On a normal day I leave work between 7-8pm, but depending on what's going on, sometimes it's much later. While it may seem like long, unsociable hours, we have a great team to work with and there's an adrenaline buzz. The challenge of keeping costs under control, and thinking outside the box to remain innovative and develop meaningful solutions for customers is addictive.

I've often wondered: "What would I be doing if it weren't this?" Apart from being Valentino Rossi, the motorcycling legend, or a motor racing pro (I drive in the Porsche Carrera Cup) I come up with a blank. The fact is I really enjoy this job. It's just in my blood. When I get home, it's family time. If I'm home early enough I try to help my wife prepare tea and play with my three kids - find out how their days have been. They make me laugh (especially my two-year old son James, who recently weed into the horn of his toy car, unbeknown to his mother, and then asked her to press it! She was not amused!). After that, maybe a bit of exercise, (I've got a gym at home - otherwise there's no way I'd be able to fit that in!) relax and unwind. By 10.30-11pm, I'm definitely ready to call it a day.