Monday 30th April 1984

Long day hosting German PA Consultant, viewing Grove House, approving the Byte Shop Personnel Plan and then eventually employing David’s choice of OEM/Dealer Sales Manager despite doubtful references

Up early and to wash and eat a breakfast of melon and one slice of toast and apple juice. To the office early and first to update my action lists for myself and my Directors in order to establish the priorities for the 3 year planning process which I wish to progress this week. Then to the morning mail which is as large as we have ever received and after to dictate a few letters and telexes in reply. Before lunch to visit each of the Directors involved in the plans and discuss with them their contributions which I think will progress very well. Soon the PA consultant from Germany arrives and we settle down to brief him on Comart and our plans, extending the discussions over a buffet lunch which John Lamb had arranged in the conference room.

After lunch to review with David Fear the references he had received for our new Dealer/OEM Sales Manager choice Ian Smith and then at 3.00pm to meet by appointment Peter King to review the 1984/5 Byte Shop Personnel Plan which I think is about right but will be expensive on the cost lines. In late afternoon to review the afternoon mail, sign correspondence and check with progress in the factory and elsewhere before off with Peter King, John Lamb and Derek Weatherby around 5.00pm to be shown around Grove House in Little Paxton which could make a fine Head Office building. They wanted £250K cash or a long full repay lease for about £25K/year which we shall think about. Back to the office with Peter, home for an hour to tea and talk to the children, and then back to the office for a two hour work session. I call David Fear to discuss Ian Smith in view of the doubtful references and also the way in which the Sales team would be deployed next year. We sit up until 11.00pm itemising the major accounts and territories and agreeing the new quotas for the year. In the end, to prevent further agonising for a visibly nervous David, I decide in favour of offering the job to Ian in view of the reticent nature of Peter Robertson to apply for the job.