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1. What was your first job?
Washing sheets, towels and clothes in an old people's home. They used to put the poor old folk who had passed away on my laundry table before they were taken away! The first time it happened I started screaming: "There's a dead body in the laundry." The staff thought it was very funny.
2. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I didn’t know. Just something to do with writing and learning.
3. What does your job involve now?
Writing and learning. I run SmartCompany so while I make sure we have great news, information and resources for business owners, I also run the sales, marketing, and accounts. But I make sure I keep writing and learning.
4. Are you thinking of trying your hand in anything else?
Raking stones at a Buddhist monastery. Honestly!
5. What is the biggest challenge you face at work?
Only one? Moving the wrong people on. Not a problem at the moment but making sure the right people are on the bus is crucial to the success of a fast growing company. One of the difficulties is that the person might have been right at the start but the business outgrows them. Even though you might give them all the advice in the world, sometimes the person is not capable of developing the right skills or attitude. It can be very hard to explain that they do not fit into the future vision.
6. What is the best part of your job?
I love creating jobs, hiring people and promoting people. Watching people mature is incredibly satisfying (And writing and learning).
It’s very exciting when people get mortgages, get married and start having children. Watching a product that you have created grow is also exhilarating. (And I love getting letters from people telling me how much they love SmartCompany.)
7. What is your advice for people starting out in your industry?
You are only as good as your next story. And if you are a great journalist, don’t let them promote you into management because it is highly likely you could not manage your way out of a paper bag.
8. What makes you happy?
My children. You come home from work and instantly switch to Child Planet where all the rules are completely different and you have to think with your heart.
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