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Some shopping after a late morning in bed catching up with reading as Daniel shows his ‘techie’ talents before an evening working as the clocks go back and world-wide mass anti-nuclear demonstrations take place
A rather sleepless night,with brain overactive with the large number of changes in motion at the moment. Also the board papers only part read but interesting enough to provoke further thought. At last morning and early to tea in bed and the papers to read. Indeed mostly in bed until 10.30am without having finished them by the time we left to go shopping in St Neots for Diana’s birthday present. I bought her a ladies digital watch for £19.95 and she had much amusement in setting the alarm and timer. Every past watch she has had has kept stopping and she hoped the digital watch is the answer! For me, I stick to the old-fashioned analogue kind with day, date, and time clearly displayed without pushing buttons all the time. Before lunch also to collect my new brown suit from Hepworths and some sea food for tea before driving to Kimbolton for Daniel.
Off together to Cambridge to buy stationery, look around the shops, and take Daniel to the computer stores. He is a complete “micro-buff” these days and is already a handy programmer. Home this afternoon to complete my reading and after tea to some desk work. Tomorrow I must have finished my Quality Report and meeting minutes.
News today of anti-nuclear demonstrations by 2 million + people throughout Europe. At least 200,000 and possibly more were in Hyde Park alone in an overwhelming but peaceful protest; 500,000 in Rome; 50,000 in Stockholm. In Grenada and elsewhere in the Caribbean, considerable anger is directed towards the revolutionary military government and their neighbouring islands move to isolate the country. The clocks go back tonight with some fine but chilly autumn weather. Last thing, I hear that a gunman had crashed through the security gate of a U.S. golf course and held one of Pres. Reagan’s aids hostage before giving himself up.
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A crisp clear morning and the same approach to ‘advice’ given to my errant directors for giving poor examples to the team but a warmer end to the day in the 60degC’s all as the government disputes with miners and telephone engineers gather pace overshadows sinister developments concerning cruise nuclear missiles
Early to the office on a crisp clear morning and first to visit the ‘Porta-Kabins’ to ensure the heating was on and to check with Derek Weatherby about progress on the accounts. Then to clear the mail and help June complete the personnel report before chairing a Quality meeting that successfully plotted a course further for the progress of the company’s quality plan. After a round-robin session to follow up the queries raised, a quick sandwich and then into the main business of the day – rounding up all of the papers for circulation this evening.
Come 3.00pm much annoyance that Derek W. and his two senior accountants were not back from lunch after another of his winey sessions and harsh words from me on his return at 3.30pm. He is so dedicated in many of his actions for the company but spoils it by such behaviour which I cannot tolerate because of the company dynamic, as he well knows. Eventually in late afternoon to complete the best set of board papers yet and in late discussion with all the Directors much good accord on recent achievements. Last thing a close and frank discussion with Ian, the best for a long time on his problems with Colin and the organisation of the engineering team.
Tonight a relatively early evening to read and to bed at 10.00pm. The day has been cold early and late but the midday sun was enjoyed by many with temperatures in the 60’s.
News today of a famous victory by the telephone Engineers Union at British Telecom over the management of Mercury in the legal test of the new provisions of the 1982 Employment Act. The courts rule that the efforts of the Union were in the course of a lawful trades dispute. The miners are fighting again by way of overtime ban next week to avoid pit closures. The concern over contraceptive pills grows with advice for women to use the lower strength pills.
The row over cruise missile deployment in Europe has moved to Germany with public protests by the Green Peace movement. There is now less than 10 weeks to go before deployment and Thatcher has agreed with Mitterrand (President of France) today that if the general talks on disarmament fail that Europe should deploy. Such is the problems of the world and for all my company’s struggles I note tonight that group profit for the first three months is £120K against a budgeted £30K loss.
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Crack down on employee tardiness and report preparations for Tuesday’s Review meetings as we log a big WIP deficit and plan quality improvements all on a cooler Autumnal day with government austerity cuts as a military coup in Grenada murders ministers and other innocents.
A cool day of high Barometric Pressure and the overnight clearness has meant some quite low temperatures as well. On time to the office and pleased to see that John was watching the arrivals for service particularly. It has become quite a problem at Comart that people will arrive late, the senior ones having sometimes worked late to compensate but the example being followed by all.
A troublesome mail this morning and many phone calls leading to a poor efficiency of time but within the journals good advertising coverage by Comart and editorial mention of the BMMG. Much attention of mine over the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting being received and to the reports being ready from all departments by Friday for circulation. It will be a full day with Carlton and Derek Morgan joining us for the quality and manufacturing presentations.
In the afternoon, attention to my own personnel reports and numerous alterations and adjustments to our organisation charts, summaries of outstanding vacancies and salary lists which takes a deal of time. Time after hours hearing of a large financial deficiency in our WIP stock values which I believe to be due to the defects in our routing paperwork and hearing of some of our plans in the area of manufacturing reorganisation.
Tonight further reading on Quality and preparing against our Quality meeting tomorrow in the light of British Standards. Carlton came round and I showed him over 39 Gordon Road as he will move in after the weekend. Today Peter King was off on holiday for a week and I brief Jim Attfield who is to deputise for him for all matters other than personnel.
News today of the latest Chancellor’s speech prescribing more deflation to the economy in the interests of controlling inflation and ignoring economic growth. Complete revolution in Grenada with the armed forces taking over and murdering the Prime Minister, three ministers and a number of the population including women and children. Medical news of cancer risks in the taking of certain contraceptive pills as well.
The family well after recent coughs and colds and work in hand to obtain plans and approvals for work to the house.
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Comart office work on a cool day with industry contacts exploited later as the news is of the policeman being cleared of Wardorf’s killing
A fine cool day with the sun warming the office buildings later in the day. On time to the office and first to prepare for my first meeting with Paul Coombe and David Fear. Paul is concerned for recognition which is no problem for us as we have already noted his management potential for the future. Then the post and after to meet the Malaysian Boss, Mr Siew, of our distributer out there. A long day for David Fear and a hectic week in general for a sales team planning a record number of factory visits and customer activity.
This afternoon fielding misguided concerns about the company reorganisations and trying to make industry contacts to progress BMMG business. Tonight late at the office planning Tuesday’s Comart Review Meeting Agenda and writing proposals on stock pools.
News today of the Policeman being cleared on charges relating to the shooting of Wardorf. Details also of the new type 23 frigate approved as the new design for the Royal Navy.
A disappointment today as I take delivery of my new brass duck fire iron set which was missing a part.
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Windy day making good progress on Comart Company and Group matters with June catching up on my work and good news from the DHSS on computer strategy but Geoff Boycott is still tussling with the Yorkshire cricket club council
I awake early and prepare a few action lists for matters to resolve with Derek and Ian. I was so preoccupied with this and the morning paper that I am eventually late down to breakfast. Much fuss with Daniel about him wearing his worn anorak for the journey across the common and also with Debbie who insists on ‘helping’ and being involved in almost every morning activity including my use of the bathroom!
Just on time to the office and an early meeting with Derek Weatherby to emphasise the need for the preparation and audit of the group accounts by the end of October and to hear disturbing reports of the latest accounting deficiencies of London, thrown up by Derek’s visit of yesterday. In joint resolve with Peter King and Derek, we will now be ensuring that improved disciplines and efficiency are applied to the branches and the auditors involved to achieve unqualified results for the future. Good sessions today with all executives as the Comart Management team busily progresses the problems of the day and plans of tomorrow. A fair meeting with recruitment consultants this afternoon but I fear I put them off to an extent with our efficiency and lack of help needed.
The DHSS is beginning to move having had a ministerial level meeting with the DTI on computer strategy yesterday. DTI are hoping that they will be prepared to accept multiple vendors but we hear that they are adamant for a single supplier according to the CCTA. CCTA still say we are getting a good share of running contract business which must be good. June has today managed to produce my entire company administration for my meetings to start Comart Computers Ltd trading from January 1st.
At the Old Bailey the judge is giving the Jury directions on the Peter Finch case and trying to be helpful, but I fear the jury must find the policeman guilty. Geoff Boycott has not won any reprieve from the second meeting of the Yorkshire Cricket Council and there is now a call for a full members meeting. The Government has announced the remainder of the minor appointments in the re-shuffle with the inevitable rewards for supportive juniors.
The wind today has been tremendous but is calming slightly this evening.