NEW START // ISSUE 6 // 55

I finish the day catching up with our chairman, Peter Denyer, on both the commercial and the technical aspects in detail - things look good.

Wednesday

One of our customers has their results in from using our technology. They want a meeting to discuss the success - again, in France. Manage to get the schedules to fit and I can visit both customers on the same trip.

DOUG RICHARD

‘THE IMPRESSIVE LINE- UP OF FORMER DRAGON DOUG RICHARD AND JOHN LOGIE BAIRD’S SON, MALCOLM MAKES FOR A GREAT EVENING. AND I AM DELIGHTED TO FIND WE HAVE WON THE KNOWLEDGE

TRANSFER CHAMPION CATEGORY!’

As our initial customers are huge multinationals, 50% of our market comprises only a couple of dozen companies. And while this simplifies the customer relations in some ways, it complicates it in others. Today is the final of the John Logie Baird Awards. After a presentation and demonstration of our capabilities, the award ceremony takes place at Glasgow Science Centre. The impressive line-up of former dragon Doug Richard and John Logie Baird’s son, Malcolm makes for a great evening. And I am delighted to find we have won the Knowledge Transfer Champion Category!

Thursday

In start-ups, getting the best staff is vital. Better to wait for the right staff to become available than wait for

the wrong staff to become productive. While looking at CVs can identify experience and, to a lesser degree, ability, only in an interview can you spot true technical capability, motivation and (vitally in a small team), personality. I set up a small panel of staff to conduct three fairly comprehensive interviews. Excellent candidates and it seems we have a choice. Second interviews are arranged for next week.

Friday

I prepare my CEO’s report for circulation ahead of the next board meeting before heading to an industry event in East Kilbride. It’s certainly interesting and some networking identified some potentially useful contacts. Also managed to catch up with lots of old friends and acquaintances from the industry - overall, a great event.

At the end of the working day it’s finally morning in California. I call a prospective customer about a proposal under consideration following a recent visit. Even with the credit crunch biting consumer industries hard, our multinational electronics manufacturing customers still recognize the tremendous cost- cutting benefits of our technology.