Role of the Field Service Manager how much hands-on?

<p>What is the role of a Field Service Manager? Should they still be hands on performing service calls? </p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/74891215/admin/page-posts/published/?share=true#" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bruce Breeden</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/74891215/admin/page-posts/published/?share=true#" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guy Eid</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/74891215/admin/page-posts/published/?share=true#" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Paul Camidge</a> discuss this thorny topic. </p><p>(Thanks to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/74891215/admin/page-posts/published/?share=true#" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jerome Varvaro</a> who was set to take part, until a last moment schedule change). </p><p><br /></p><p>'Companies are looking to reduce their costs and if they can get a supervisor to do the job of a manager, then that looks like a brilliant way of reducing your overhead costs. It's very short-sighted. I think it's typically done by managers who have limited or no experience of field-based management and the challenges that that creates. Managing 10 people in an office is far more straightforward than managing five people in the field'.</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/74891215/admin/page-posts/published/?share=true#" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Paul Camidge</a></p><p><br /></p><p>'Another thing we haven't touched on is smaller companies. Obviously, you know, people do multiple jobs and it's the biggest segment of the service market really. And so you see it that way. And again, I keep touching on remote areas. You know, so I think there's a necessary reality that would support doing that. And I know in one organization I was with recently, you know, again, our remote territories, we had the technicians and engineers doing a lot of sales responsibilities. I know we're going to touch on that a little later. But you know, from a quoting standpoint, from a project management standpoint, again, I think from a hybrid stretch, as long as it's designed and the company supports it, I think there's a role for it. Or it’s even a different title, right?</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/74891215/admin/page-posts/published/?share=true#" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bruce Breeden</a></p><p><br /></p><p>'Most of us if not all of us come from the background of field engineering and it's easy for us to roll up our sleeves and work with our teams and help when necessary. And somehow it can be expected but it doesn't mean that we are doing that daily. And if we look at it from the customer's perspective also, customers are expecting a manager who is able to make decisions and support his team for a better outcome for the customer and not on the equipment level only on the whole solution that the company brings to the customer'. </p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/74891215/admin/page-posts/published/?share=true#" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guy Eid</a></p><p><br /></p><p>'It's all about the right person in the right place. And when you pick the right talent and you put that person in the right place, this is where magic happens.</p><p><br /></p><p>Communication is key. We keep repeating that and saying it. It's key upwards, downwards, across the board. It's important. And if I want to go back to another topic that was discussed at another round table, keeping the field engineers informed, gauging their opinion because they are the ones living the reality every minute of every day is important. And that gives them visibility. It gives them the importance. And that dynamic if it exists through the whole company that will be an unstoppable company for sure'.</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/74891215/admin/page-posts/published/?share=true#" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guy Eid</