Peter Watson

About Me:

I am a graduate economist whose early career was in marketing in large corporates. This gave a valuable insight into the way that companies should be professionally run and included many training courses on business development and techniques. I moved onto more responsible jobs with medium-sized companies, as general manager or managing director, and set up, run, and sold my own business.

I also had a spell in the public sector, as chief executive of the Regional Development Agency and Executive Director of a Development Corporation, where most of the work involved job creation and the attraction of investment. Following a three year contract with the Mandela Government in South Africa setting up a similar kind of agency, I returned to the UK in 2000 and, after training by Vistage in the US, I have been an independent business mentor since then.

Specialist Sectors:

I have worked directly in pharmaceuticals, printing and packaging, baby products, processed foods, logistics, recruitment, training, tourism, and economic development, but I have also worked closely with clients in software, kitchen equipment, building products, aviation, workwear, DIY products, jewellery, solar panels, lighting components, plastic tubing, industrial tools, bathroom equipment, computer hardware, and print cartridge recycling.

Companies seeking technical help may wish to find a mentor from their own sector but if the need is strategic a person who can take a more objective view of the business might be more suitable.

Expertise:

Having a strong marketing background my approach is to evaluate where a company stands in its marketplace and whether it has the right strategic plan to allow future growth.  Getting the strategy right is the essential first step in determining whether all the operational methods employed are the most efficient in supporting this overall objective.  However, in my previous posts as a chief executive I have been responsible for all company functions and I understand how important it is for production, supply/purchasing, accounting and finance, logistics and marketing to work in harmony.

As a mentor I need to have an understanding of people in order to build a relationship of trust and confidence with my client. My job is to optimise the potential of the individual and the company by facing strategic and day to day issues together, and enhancing decision making and management skills.

Companies I Work With:

My clients have ranged from Plc to pre-start up, but I spend much of my time with early-stage businesses as they are probably in need of the most help. The range of businesses I have worked with is indicated above, and in many cases there has been a need to devise a professional business plan either to attract investment or for operational purposes. Being a member of three business angel groups I am fully aware of what investors are seeking, not just in financial terms but relation to the market opportunity and the expertise of the management team.

What My Clients Say About Me:

"I am most grateful for all your advice. Without it we would not have been able to get into this new market, and now we are going from strength to strength".  Chris H, MD, renewable energy company.

"I would like to thank you for your guidance over the last two years. We were stagnating but the merger has opened up much better growth prospects for the future".  Tony P, MD, home products company.

"Your views have made such a difference to our thinking. We were running around in circles but now we have focussed on the main priorities, and we are making progress". Jan S, MD, food company.

" You were right - the key to selling the agency at the right price was bringing in senior people to look after the clients which I had kept to myself ".  Martin H, MD, pr agency.

"Talking to you always helps me to get my thoughts in order and concentrate on the important issues".  Amanda F, MD, jewellery company.

What I Like To Do In My Pastime: 

For exercise I play golf, not to a particularly high standard, but it is important to compensate for the wine and food which I would count as two important hobbies.  I'm keen on wildlife and I go to South Africa twice a year for my "fix". I have a timeshare in a private game reserve, but I'm equally happy in the winelands around Cape Town.

I have studied graphology for many years - the evaluation of personality through handwriting. Very handy for recruiting the right type of person for the job. I used to sing in amateur opera, but it's more village hall than Albert Hall these days.

You can view Peter's LinkedIn profile here

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