By fast car to Southampton for Xitan personnel crisis meetings and then to Alton for historic and successful merger talks between the BMMG and UKITO computer industry organisations
Up very early and by fast car to Southampton. I successfully managed to miss the traffic in the London area and arrived at 9.30am for a morning to review personnel matters with Geoff Lynch. He is having a very difficult time with people matters and is in real danger of losing more key personnel. A sorry tale but if only Geoff would take things in a more logical and considered manner, he could take a great deal of the heat and acute concern out of the situation. Then an hour with Jane Danks, who has already resigned, to attempt to reconcile her relationship breakdown with Geoff but I fear she will go if Geoff is not prepared to change his style and organisation.
A very pleasant buffet lunch served as normal and then an afternoon Xitan review meeting reporting poor sales and profits with concern on future stock levels and cash flow. After a quick meeting with Barbara, another trusted employee, off fast by car to Alton for a meeting with Donald Willis and Wilf Robinson of UK ITO and after being joined also by Graham Clifton of Transam of the BMMG. An historical meeting where provisional terms and procedures are discussed for the merger of the two groups on an equal basis with a new group name. A working group is to review the necessary action and changes that will be required.
Home well after midnight and tired to bed.