Fine and sunny day reading my press coverage, interviewing manufacturing manager candidates and then an evening working on my boat as Thatcher recovers from eye operation
Another fine, sunny but tolerably hot day. Early interest in the morning mail which included a successful article and editorial in Computer Weekly on me and the BMMG Tariff Issue. Than a disappointing session with Ken Goddard who again had let a customer down by not phoning him in time to delay an appointment. I had to personally bail him out by telephoning to apologise which I did not much enjoy. Then a session with a recruitment consultant and Ian Nickson and a briefing for a new position of Software Development Manager. The consultant did not impress me tremendously, trying to maximise the package and include a car. This made me feel he was trying to make his task too easy but I swallowed my feelings for Ian’s sake and allowed the arrangement to proceed with no car but a flexible salary line.
Then to my main task of the day and the final interviews for the Manufacturing Manager. Two equally talented candidates with large age difference and degrees of experience. I settled on 15mins alone, then 30mins with Ian Nickson and John Lamb, then an informal session for coffee (lunch) with Derek Morgan. Derek was then asked to spend 30mins showing the candidates around the factory. Then for completeness reception by June with a few trivial questions for a final subjective view. Against my expectations relationships with the older man won and I was pleased to note the absence of age discrimination amongst my colleagues. A choice, subject to references, is therefore made.
Last night I had performed miracles on the flag pole and tonight I prepared the rear cabin for painting and complete the mast gluing.
News tonight is still of Mrs Thatcher’s eye operation and rising concern amongst her senior colleagues that she has not handed over to a deputy. The pound sterling fell against the dollar today to close just below $1.50 which means Comart have reverted to surcharging clients for imported items.