A little bit more about Andrew
How you view the world and what experiences you have had affects and shapes your thinking. Experience also influences how you work and interact with others to get your message across and get things done. In my book it's equally as important as academic achievement. So here is some more information about me.
In 1983 I used one of the first IBM PCs - we shared one between about 50 of us. We thought it was the way forward but IBM didn't, a classic case of "inside out" focus saw them concentrate of main frames (remember them?) and ditch the PC. At the same time we trialled a paperless office where we sent memos and messages electronically - we knew this was the way forward too but look how long this took to come to fruition.
Having spent all my working life in commercially-driven organisations I know how important it is to plan and deliver.
Black & Decker taught me how to take a much more holistic view, how to market across national boundaries and how important market nuances were.
Many businesses I have worked in have had seasonal demand patterns so I understand how seasonality affects not only marketing activities but also what impact this has on business finances.
In my career path from assistant product manager through to Marketing Director and then Managing Director I have been there and done it. I have made some mistakes along the way and have learnt from them. Fortunately success has been a more frequent visitor and you know you can learn from this too - why not repeat something which has been successful?
As a Managing Director I learnt how difficult it was to juggle the priorities of customers, suppliers and staff and to keep the right focus. Heading up a business can sometimes be a lonely place. Making the right decisions is vital and often this process is helped by the objectivity, experience and expertise of an external specialist.
I am a voracious reader not only of the usual marketing magazines, marketing books, academic marketing journals and blogs but also the general business press and I always search for the practical applications - theory and ideas are vital and shapes how I think but what is needed is stuff that works, delivered in a way that everyone can understand.
I enjoy finding examples of exemplary marketing and likewise I notice marketing ineptitude as well - you can learn from both.
I am a life-long learner. I have to be in order to keep abreast of changes in techniques, methods and applications in such a broad and fast developing discipline.
All work and no play makes Jack's wife a wealthy widow so I try and get the whole work-life thing in some type of balance. My wife and two sons remain a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me and there is nothing like young, enquiring minds to ensure you keep your feet firmly on the ground. The difference between how my teenage sons make purchase decisions, which retailers they patronise and their brand and product expectations are light years away from how I was when I was their age.
This illustrates how you have to be in touch with your customers and not impose your own experiences, personal preferences and prejudices upon your marketing.
To help with my work-life balance, delight my family and foster good relationships with neighbours near and far I have recently started to fulfil a lifelong ambition by learning to play the drums.