“There’s only room for one bigmouth in my organisation, and We at Ocean Consulting are always on the look out for new information and inspiration and we want to share this with you by passing on any real gems that we feel would be of real value and benefit to your business… Here we delve into the financial prosperity and ever changing world of Alan Sugar. A recent TV phenomenon, Alan Sugars relentless drive to be a bigger success and make even more money has gained many admirers… and many critics alike… Maybe It’s Because I’m a Londoner “My East End background might have left me a little rough around the edges, but it kept me down to earth and taught me how to appraise situations and assess propositions quickly”. Born in Hackney, London 1947 it wasn’t long before Alan became a businessman. At the age of 16 he left school and started selling fruit and vegetables from a van he had bought with his life savings. But this soon developed into less perishable goods, such as cigarette lighters and TV aerials. At 21 he founded Amstrad (taken from the initials of his name Alan Michael Sugar TRADing) and by 1970 his first manufacturing project was in full swing. But how did he manage to beat his powerful competitors and at one point double the profit and market value of his company every year consecutively? Caught in a Vacuum Alan’s first manufacturing venture making hi-fi turntable covers in the 70’s was his first big break and put him in direct competition with the bigger brands of the 70’s. Where every manufacturer at the time was making plastic turntable covers from the vacuum forming process, Amstrad opted for the injection moulding technique, achieving far lower production costs and providing a far more competitive price. Alan had severely undercut his competitors and allowed him to expand his manufacturing capabilities to include producing audio amplifiers and tuners. This sudden and accelerated growth was to pay off in a big way during the 80’s. Taking Stock In 1980 Amstrad was listed on the London Stock Exchange and as a company, doubled in both profit and market value every year throughout the 80’s. At its peak, Amstrad achieved a stock market value of £1.2 billion, manufacturing word processors and successful PC clones. But the 90’s proved difficult, with the ever increasing dominance of Microsoft and Dell Computers. Amstrad in comparison appeared cheaply made with unreliable parts and as such its home computer range was severely marred. Its reputation tarnished, Amstrad sampled many business ventures, from PDA’s to Videogames consoles before finally capturing a niche in the market with set top boxes. Amstrad was the only manufacturer producing receiver boxes and dishes when Sky launched, and has continued to manufacturer Sky’s set top boxes ever since. Sir Alan currently holds a 28% share in Amstrad Sugar Sweet Success Here, in his own words, Alan Sugar reveals his words of wisdom and secrets to success. Hard work – Always remember, there is no such thing as luck in business – just hard graft, and keeping your antennae tuned to what is going on around you. Focus Point: Willingness to learn – Dream big, but be ready to start small. Don’t try to run before you walk. Focus Point: Self-belief – You need more than just a competitive edge. You need a hide like a rhino, the ability to operate way outside the normal comfort zones, a willingness to reinvent the rules, and total, utter self belief – against all odds. Focus Point: Stamina – You need to have stamina, you need to be physically and mentally fit, you need to cope with immense levels of pressure without losing your cool - and you need to be rigorously well-disciplined. Focus Point: Persistence – Difficulty and adversity really can make you stronger. All success comes from learning and to learn you need to begin by trying, and trying usually means getting it wrong a lot of the time. Focus Point: Enthusiasm – True leadership is energetic and enthusiastic – it makes things happen. A hunger for the next challenge is a key characteristic in those who are successful at work. Focus Point: Flexibility – Trends, markets, technology – everything changes, and so do we. Learning is what keeps us flexible, keeps creativity alive. It is what links generations together and allows us to survive Focus Point: A Master and His Apprentice With his undiluted willingness to move with the times, Alan Sugar has become the face of the UK version of the American TV hit The Apprentice. Across the pond, Donald Trump played the uncompromising boss, pitting a group of successful business people against each other for the ultimate prize of becoming Trump’s new ‘apprentice’. This included a year working for him and a six figure salary. The UK version was virtually the same, with Alan Sugar playing top dog. Sir Alan’s caustic wit and infamous putdowns have made him an overnight reality TV star, and after two hugely successful series, is lined up for a third. And with Amstrad’s continuing partnership with Sky TV as primary manufacturer of their set top boxes on top of Sir Alan’s estimated £800 million fortune, the future certainly looks sweet for Sugar! |
Ocean Consulting is a highly professional, privately owned, recruitment consultancy, specialising in Permanent & Contract recruitment within the commercial sector. With over 14 years recruiting experience within the senior management team, we focus on placing all disciplines from Receptionist’s & administrator’s right up to senior manager / director level positions within the Thames Valley area & beyond and have an excellent reputation gaining a high majority of our business through word of mouth. Why? We are very passionate about making a difference…it’s that simple If you would like to know more about Ocean visit our website at www.dipintheocean.co.uk or reply to this e-mail and take@dipintheocean.co.uk |
|
|||
 |
