Our thoughts and reflections

James writes a regular monthly column for a trade magazine called Checkout. In it, he covers issues that effect us both personally & from a business perspective. There is no "agenda", just thoughts that you may enjoy reading.

NEW ARTICLE: The Quickened Pulse

We are transferring our offices from High Wycombe to our new factory at Milton Keynes. Many of our people are coming with us, but not all of them. Distance and cost  makes that unfeasible. For those who do make the move there is a sense of excitement about something new, and a trace of anxiety about what will be different. In particular, the question I hear asked most often: what will it be like - will it be fun...and vibrant?... READ MORE

JUNE 2007: In khaki shorts

Building a business takes time. Some people appear to succeed in doing it very quickly - maybe their brains work faster or they think for longer, successfully cramming more into a day than I do. We were fortunate with Discovery Foods, entering the Mexican market fray at a time when interest in ethnic food was growing, cooking sauces in jars were launched and the great British public began to increasingly look at "going abroad" for their holidays... READ MORE

May 2007: Peer group pressure

We recently announced the closure of our small factory where we produce tortilla chips and taco shells and pack seasonings into sachets. The facilities we have do not match up to the huge dedicated factories now operating within the Santa Maria group, which benefit from the speed and automatisation that our huge volumes permit. It was the first time in my career that I have stood in front of people to break the news that they will be made redundant... READ MORE

April 2007: Is bigger always better in business?

We are not yet two months into this new chapter in the life of Discovery; that of being part of a bigger group. It has been fascinating to sit with a previously would-be rival and to discuss the evolution and solutions of the businesses and the marketplace... READ MORE

March 2007: Prepared to grow

In my experience, business has been like parenthood. Having had an idea for starting a business, creating a business plan, implementing it - and then nurturing the company for 17 years - has run parallel with my father-role... READ MORE

Feb 2007: What price a mistake?

Isn't it easy to have high expectations of others? When I come to work each day I expect those around me to be making good decisions and carrying out their procedural work accurately and efficiently. We have various meetings to review progress and adherence to key performance indicators - some meetings even permit acknowledgement of failure or shortcomings...READ MORE