Our thoughts and reflections 2006

Past 'views' we thought we'd share with you

Dec 2006: The whetted axe

In October this year we completed 17 years in business. Two of our original three employees remain - me being one of them - and we have many who have 10-15 years under their belts... READ MORE

Oct 2006: The Pace of Life

We all know that time is precious. If you are like me you will sometimes complain that there is not enough time in the day to do everything you want or need to do. There are times when trying to fix a date for a meeting between more than two people seems almost impossible. What is it that fills our lives so completely?... READ MORE

Sep 2006: A case of conscience

I attended the Willow Creek Leadership Summit in Chicago again this year. There were about 6,000 academics, business people and church leaders at the venue and a further 54,000 spread across Canada and the Americas experienced the event live by real-time video link. The event continues to be the most professionally run, constructive two and a half days of excellent teaching and soul-searching time in my calendar... READ MORE

Aug 2006: Too soon to party

When we opened our new factory in Milton Keynes in March, I was very tempted to have a big party to celebrate the achievement - and it was only the sheer volume of activity in the business around that time, that made it seem like an unnecessary distraction... READ MORE

Jul 2006: The University of Life

My younger son Sean, aged 20, recently announced that he is not intending to return to university after completing his first year. His longing is to return to Africa, where he spent six months of his travelling gap year helping teach in a rural school in Uganda...READ MORE

Jun 2006: A little help when you most need it

Have you ever experienced important changes to your outlook on life as a result of small events? I did recently, when I visited South Africa to see some of my family - and to review business with our distributor there... READ MORE

May 2006: Fit to lead

There can be no doubt the food market, like many others, is getting tougher. Price deflation for consumers has to be desirable. But, it is exacting a destructive measure from manufacturers since we are called upon to somehow absorb the unrelenting increases in gas, electricity, fuel, board, tin and general overhead prices.

The axiom 'survival of the fittest' gives us all a clear direction as to how our businesses should be shaped and run. My question is: "How do we apply the concept of 'fitness' to the business context?"...READ MORE

May 2006: Good Stewardship

Coming from Zimbabwe as I do, I am very aware that leaders can lead with the sole purpose of perpetuating their role, or maintaining their power, and just how counter productive this can be. When leadership is not altruistic, it is likely to be harmful... READ MORE

Mar 2006: Sorting through the chaff

You would need to be living on a desert island to be unaware of the ever-increasing international controversy about damage to the environment. Bombarded with the noise of concern, I have been thinking more and more about Discovery's responsibility and how we might sensibly address the issues of waste, emissions and energy consumption. Initially I took my steer from headline news - and only later, after some deeper investigation, has it become abundantly clear that once again scientists cannot agree on what is happening, what might be causing it, and what the appropriate responses might be... READ MORE

Feb 2006: Growing Pains

For three months last year, orders were pouring in with increasing gusto at the same time as we were undertaking a £3.5m refurbishment programme to upgrade our production lines. We were were struggling to keep up with the demand for our tortillas, wraps and chapattis...READ MORE