Comart office day and Product Introduction Meeting before meeting Tony Keston of the DTI to seek support as the Tories plan to scrap city councils for political reasons.
In good time to the office and first to brief John Lamb on problems of yesterday on car loans and service matters. Then the mail briefly and to convene the Product Introduction meeting to discuss all projects which are progressing into production. A full agenda for two hours including introduction of the forthcoming topics of standards work, modular production and change note procedures. Then to check outgoing mail for signature and immediately to receive Tony Keston of the DTI, showing him around the factory and to lunch to discuss computer industry affairs.
Then to the office for a long session of discussing Comart alone and the range of support schemes for financial support. The DTI policies are selective support of the ‘winner’ computer manufacturers and we must appear to have an overall strategy for success. A hectic half hour of desk work and then evening discussions with David Fear and John Lamb on building and managing our team of people. I agree short term sales executive recruitments with David, realising it will be next year before we can have sufficient resource to segment effort on a market sector and geographical basis. John has real problems with Service Manager, Daniel Joffey, who has relationship problems with staff colleagues alike who regard him as arrogant. The company was very busy today with all departments striving for the achievement of the new weekly targets. Business currently looking very good. A minor tragedy as I could not find my car key at the end of the day and had to be lifted home!
News today of a big row over the city councils being earmarked for scrapping by the conservative government – all strongholds of Labour. This is seen as political war and interference. Continued speculation of Cecil Parkinson’s position and likely resignation and also news of conservative party discontent before the next week’s Conservative Conference. Meantime the Labour Party under Neil Kinnock has the media in good shape and could rally the party yet.