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Troubled by resignations, I work to remove the Charterhouse charges and then tend to administration and premises plans before managing the DTI and DHSS, working on the BMMG Alvey delegation and our chances of the contract before an evening of family games and sympathyas the Syrians try to eliminate Arafat in Tripoli
Early up and to the office after a troubled night. We have been losing too many key people of late and, though our problems in this respect are indeed no worse and perhaps better than our competitors, I believe that organisational stamina is sapped by staff turnover. Also concerned about the twin problems of recent past quality and present service which is of prime action at the moment. First to sort out my in-tray after my day out yesterday and to sign correspondence similarly prepared. Then to collect Diana from home and to go to solicitors Wilkinson and Butler in St Neots. There to swear declarations for the removal of the Charterhouse charges from Comart’s records at a cost of £2. W&B’s is a typically run down rural solicitors, poor in furnishings and remiss on maintenance of a fine old building at the end of the High Street. Back to the office, dropping Diana and Debbie off at the rising 5’s club, and there to clear this morning’s post and write up the minutes from yesterday’s Xitan meetings. Also to research the details of accountancy training and to phone Geoff Lynch to brief him for this afternoon’s meeting with Barry. A lunch of sandwiches, soup and tea and after to return phone calls to the DTI. First to their trade advice section to provide information to prevent the Crown Agents buying the non-British Osborne computers. Second to exchange notes with senior contacts about the forthcoming BMMG delegation on Tuesday to Brian Oakley of the Alvey initiative and also to hear of the DTI’s views of Comart’s chances on the DHSS contract. Our view that we have a greater than even chance may be optimistic as we are seen in a second place to another vendor whose identity I am pledged to find out. Late afternoon to rest after a truly taxing week where exit interview procedures have been working overtime. Earlier this afternoon David Barford visited to brief me and Derek Morgan on the financing position with respect to the new building. Misfortune fed back my contacts with Hering Son and Daw who were already in DB’s loop with Crusader (our present landlords) but good will was restored when I explained the reasons as lying in the need for a political lobby.
Tonight to rest and read after another ‘DogFight’ computer game with Daniel and very early to bed with Diana at 8.30pm who is suffering from the nausea of the early months of pregnancy.
News today of a lull in the PLO civil war in Tripoli but of Syrian determination to eliminate Yasser Arafat and his fighters. In the house the passage without opposition of the video nasty censorship bill after a recent showing of some in camera to MP’s.
Weather misty and foggy early but clear and dry later.
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Successful review of Xitan during a sunny and foggy daytrip to Southampton learning of Comart company quality and service problems
Very early to rise and after a quick slice of toast off to the station and the 6.57am to London. By rail first class to Southampton and on the way good use made of the journey and work done. A taxi to the Xitan premises at Totton and an hours exit interview with Barry Lock whose resignation I am seeking to reverse in an exit interview. A day long Xitan board meeting reporting rising sales and profit trends and much good management information on sales and product analysis which bodes well for future forecasting and stock control. After a personnel meeting with Russ Wilmott at The Byte Shop Southampton where I guide him on expenses policy and learn greatly of service problems relating to past Comart quality. It seems that the Comart quality initiative has only just come in the nick of time. A long car journey home with John and putting the company to rights with tomorrow determined for counselling Robin Adams and tending to Quality and Service Matters.
Another sunny day with mist and fog in the midlands besides at dawn and dusk. No news today as working from dawn to dusk. A late evening relaxing with a televised history of the House of Commons and tired to bed.
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Organising BMMG Industry meetings with Alvey and the CCTA as I also approve Comart group expenses whilst the US report over 400 lives lost and many helicoptors in Grenada and Arafat retreats to Tripoli
News today of unofficial losses of US lives in Grenada of 424 with numerous helicopters shot down with up to at least 100 civilians killed during the bomb attack on a mental hospital. The Cubans had been particularly deadly with sam6 and wire-guided missiles. Official channels discount these numbers but the military have leaked them. Arafat is still in retreat with the Syrian-backed PLO rebels hedging him into Tripoli. In America, the Greenham Common women are taking the government to court without any tangible chance of success. Back in England, more demonstrations on Greenham Common and Lakenheath, closer to home, as Mrs Thatcher goes on record as appealing to the Russians to dismantle SS20’s. The talks in Bonn and Geneva do not seem to make progress. US President Reagan is in Japan for summit talks on trade and other matters. In the UK court of appeal, the decision was made to overturn the judgement that previously allowed telecom union members to black the Mercury network.
Early to the office today and first to authorise the group’s expenses, rejecting some that continue to disregard group procedure. Then to the mail and after to clear all manner of correspondence. June is now getting visible support from Helen and is increasingly able to undertake more work for me. Off to the Anchor at Tempsford to meet BMMG vice-chairman Nigel Smith and discuss several industry issues. Arrangements are in hand for a meeting with Alvey Director, Brian Oakley, and also a personal meeting with Dr Paul Freeman of CCTA. This afternoon completing company administration and organising a presentation of a 100% club medal to Peter Barlow for achieving last year’s quota.
Weather again very fine, sunny and mild and the family well.
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Unusually mild day for Diana to be confirmed as pregnant as I address company development and sales personnel to get a concerted effort to innovate for success whilst sales prospects falter and Arafat sues for peace in the Lebanon
On time to the office and to brief June about the best way of achieving our principle priorities whilst carrying out a phased induction of Mrs Wilson. Quickly on to the meeting of development personnel and there to give a keynote address to the first occasion of their assembly together. A successful attempt to communicate the perspective of present company endeavour as a prelude to looking for an increased professional commitment from the development group. A quick chance to review the mail and then the morning in the monthly Comart sales meeting. A sorry affair with sales and marketing management in defensive disarray from what is seen as policies insufficient to retain our competitive edge. After a late lunch, they meet again in the afternoon with an extensive list of suggestions offered in a positive vain.
News today of the United States decision against retaliatory action towards Syria as the Lebanese conflict continues. Also of the willingness of Yasser Arafat to sue for peace with the PLO opponents.
Diana reports the positive results of a pregnancy test and has already started the process of book-reading and acquisition of accessories.
The weather unusually mild at up to 60*F and looks set to continue.
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Group and Company Administration day as we struggle to make 170 systems this month whilst Yasser Arafat is close to defeat in the Lebanon and Andropov seems close to popping off!
Early to the office and first to meet Helen Wilson, June’s new assistant on personnel matters. A fair range of paperwork to complete today but particular care to approve reasonable availability of stock pool equipment for a training course and two exhibitions. Meetings with Ian, Carlton, John, David in passing and production will struggle to make its 170 systems this month but pledged to achieve it. Softening also of the sales performance ahead of some of the volume government orders and some concern as a result of the expansions we are planning. Peter King at the office today and no news yet of the Coventry’s reaction to the company’s line but I express my views that they are bound to leave as they will never conform. Later to complete the Comart Computers Ltd admin, and filing which is now part of the Comart Group with papers up to date. Now to do the same for Comart Limited. Late at the office to prepare the Xitan review meeting agenda after agreeing the scope and timing of Thursday’s meeting with Geoff and also to clear my desk.
News today of heavy shelling of Lebanese forces with the US Lebanese airport positions also coming under fire. The beleaguered Palestinians loyal to Yasser Arafat are starting to retreat and must surely give in shortly. Syria has called up its entire military reserves to ‘counter aggression’ involving US forces. In Russia Andropov misses the year’s largest parade and has now not been seen in public for three months.
Weather still mild and dry but rain is expected tomorrow. The CBI conference today called for expansion and investment to sustain the recovery with which I agree.