MARCH 2002 BROADSHEET - Lessons from Life
TWI's vast building programme has had two effects on the Club's meetings there. We can't use the Octagonal room because it is submerged by the extensive building works, so we have been upgraded to the Conference Centre. Each time we have been there the way in has been re-routed, resulting in desperate late comers battling their way through the jungle of trees and concrete. On the other hand we have enjoyed the luxury of the state of the art facilities and plenty of space, fast filling up with our increasing numbers.
Our February meeting on Lessons from Life was true to form: enjoyable, amusing, instructive and thought provoking from two of the movers and shakers on the current Cambridge scene; none other than Walter Herriot, MD of St John's Innovation Centre and Malcolm Wilkinson, MD of Technology for Industry Ltd, a formidable double act!
Our chairman for the evening, Guy Mulley of the N W Brown Group, set the scene by entertaining us with some lessons from music. Malcolm then plunged into the ups and downs of his eventful career, which ranged from university teaching to big firms, including a giant in the USA, small firms, start ups and technical consultancy. Among them was a spell with Sir Clive Sinclair; a fabulously exciting environment, but being a single minded technocrat he took no further interest once the design worked. Consequently, though the technology was way ahead of its time, product quality suffered and the company was in difficulties even without the final blow of the C5 tricycle. It also proved that dictatorships, however benevolent, don't work and the vital factor in all successful companies is the strength of the management team.
Walter Herriot then sketched his career, starting as a budding rugby football player to many years in banking and now MD of the St John's Innovation Centre. His lessons were less personal than Malcolm's, but derived from observation of hundreds of start-up companies passing through his hands. The most important success factors were good management, keeping a close eye on finances, getting good external advice and networking, such as that provided by the Club. Overall it was no good slogging your guts out unless the enterprise was fun. One of his tests of good management was the ratio of time spent supporting good people compared with the time dealing with problem people. Both speakers placed people at the very top of their list of priorities.
A very full and lively discussion followed with advice to many young entrepreneurs both from the speakers and experienced operators in the audience who were willing to act as sounding boards. Often the mere articulation of a problem is enough to bring confidence in the way ahead. Contact is easy as both speakers are members of the Club: Malcolm - jmw@tfi-ltd.co.uk and Walter - wjherriot@stjohns.co.uk
The Club is very fortunate in benefiting from the sponsorship of the following organisations:-
There are also other companies who give us generous help with specific meetings and services.
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