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Crack down on employee tardiness and report preparations for Tuesday’s Review meetings as we log a big WIP deficit and plan quality improvements all on a cooler Autumnal day with government austerity cuts as a military coup in Grenada murders ministers and other innocents.
A cool day of high Barometric Pressure and the overnight clearness has meant some quite low temperatures as well. On time to the office and pleased to see that John was watching the arrivals for service particularly. It has become quite a problem at Comart that people will arrive late, the senior ones having sometimes worked late to compensate but the example being followed by all.
A troublesome mail this morning and many phone calls leading to a poor efficiency of time but within the journals good advertising coverage by Comart and editorial mention of the BMMG. Much attention of mine over the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting being received and to the reports being ready from all departments by Friday for circulation. It will be a full day with Carlton and Derek Morgan joining us for the quality and manufacturing presentations.
In the afternoon, attention to my own personnel reports and numerous alterations and adjustments to our organisation charts, summaries of outstanding vacancies and salary lists which takes a deal of time. Time after hours hearing of a large financial deficiency in our WIP stock values which I believe to be due to the defects in our routing paperwork and hearing of some of our plans in the area of manufacturing reorganisation.
Tonight further reading on Quality and preparing against our Quality meeting tomorrow in the light of British Standards. Carlton came round and I showed him over 39 Gordon Road as he will move in after the weekend. Today Peter King was off on holiday for a week and I brief Jim Attfield who is to deputise for him for all matters other than personnel.
News today of the latest Chancellor’s speech prescribing more deflation to the economy in the interests of controlling inflation and ignoring economic growth. Complete revolution in Grenada with the armed forces taking over and murdering the Prime Minister, three ministers and a number of the population including women and children. Medical news of cancer risks in the taking of certain contraceptive pills as well.
The family well after recent coughs and colds and work in hand to obtain plans and approvals for work to the house.
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Comart office work on a cool day with industry contacts exploited later as the news is of the policeman being cleared of Wardorf’s killing
A fine cool day with the sun warming the office buildings later in the day. On time to the office and first to prepare for my first meeting with Paul Coombe and David Fear. Paul is concerned for recognition which is no problem for us as we have already noted his management potential for the future. Then the post and after to meet the Malaysian Boss, Mr Siew, of our distributer out there. A long day for David Fear and a hectic week in general for a sales team planning a record number of factory visits and customer activity.
This afternoon fielding misguided concerns about the company reorganisations and trying to make industry contacts to progress BMMG business. Tonight late at the office planning Tuesday’s Comart Review Meeting Agenda and writing proposals on stock pools.
News today of the Policeman being cleared on charges relating to the shooting of Wardorf. Details also of the new type 23 frigate approved as the new design for the Royal Navy.
A disappointment today as I take delivery of my new brass duck fire iron set which was missing a part.
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Windy day making good progress on Comart Company and Group matters with June catching up on my work and good news from the DHSS on computer strategy but Geoff Boycott is still tussling with the Yorkshire cricket club council
I awake early and prepare a few action lists for matters to resolve with Derek and Ian. I was so preoccupied with this and the morning paper that I am eventually late down to breakfast. Much fuss with Daniel about him wearing his worn anorak for the journey across the common and also with Debbie who insists on ‘helping’ and being involved in almost every morning activity including my use of the bathroom!
Just on time to the office and an early meeting with Derek Weatherby to emphasise the need for the preparation and audit of the group accounts by the end of October and to hear disturbing reports of the latest accounting deficiencies of London, thrown up by Derek’s visit of yesterday. In joint resolve with Peter King and Derek, we will now be ensuring that improved disciplines and efficiency are applied to the branches and the auditors involved to achieve unqualified results for the future. Good sessions today with all executives as the Comart Management team busily progresses the problems of the day and plans of tomorrow. A fair meeting with recruitment consultants this afternoon but I fear I put them off to an extent with our efficiency and lack of help needed.
The DHSS is beginning to move having had a ministerial level meeting with the DTI on computer strategy yesterday. DTI are hoping that they will be prepared to accept multiple vendors but we hear that they are adamant for a single supplier according to the CCTA. CCTA still say we are getting a good share of running contract business which must be good. June has today managed to produce my entire company administration for my meetings to start Comart Computers Ltd trading from January 1st.
At the Old Bailey the judge is giving the Jury directions on the Peter Finch case and trying to be helpful, but I fear the jury must find the policeman guilty. Geoff Boycott has not won any reprieve from the second meeting of the Yorkshire Cricket Council and there is now a call for a full members meeting. The Government has announced the remainder of the minor appointments in the re-shuffle with the inevitable rewards for supportive juniors.
The wind today has been tremendous but is calming slightly this evening.
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Urgent remedial action after initially forgetting Diana’s birthday on a busy day managing Comart Group and BMMG affairs and then undertaking press interviews about Norman Tebbit’s new ministerial job
Diana’s Birthday and something of a record on my part, having forgotten both present and card from myself and the children. Early up and after a quick breakfast to St Neots with Daniel to purchase Birthday Card from me, Daniel and Debbie. Just time to read The Times now I am taking it regularly in place of The Guardian from today.
Then to the office and a morning review with Byte Shop Managing Director Peter King who tells me sales are progressing well but Adrienne Coventry of Glasgow is not content with her administrative role and is an undue influence on Gordon’s Management. They are running The Byte Shop Glasgow as a family business rather than as a subsidiary of a National network. A huge Monday mail as normal and then a couple of telephone interviews with the Press. Computer Talk asks for a comment on the appointment of Norman Tebbit as the new Minister of Trade and Industry! I just manage to restrain myself in view of my unprintable view of him and mutter a few comments about unfortunate lack of continuity.
A successful afternoon writing editorial copy for the new BMMG guide to members and products and organising a BMMG newsletter for publication later this week. June is struggling with her normal heavy workload plus the numerous company resolutions and meeting agendas/minutes that I prepared over the weekend. Home early to check Di had received the birthday cards and a relaxing evening of television and reading.
News today of the trial of Detective Constable Peter Finch who had shot Stephen Wardorf in mistake for David Martin. Also that new job for Norman Tebbit who has been answering questions on his plans for further privatisation as a trial case proceeds with Mercury as the plaintiff against the post office workers union under Tebbits own 1982 Employment Bill. An RAF phantom has crashed accidentally in the Falklands, killing its crew of two.
The weather today has been cold and clear but a warmer sector is forecast to be spreading from the west tomorrow and this will be welcome. Early to bed with Diana in her silk nightie for a birthday treat.