Cambridge Cluster

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeJust looking at some newspaper headlines for 28 August 2008 and reading that Taylor Wimpey‘s shares slump, Foxtons was being restructured and RBS investors expecting “deeper shake-up”.

Did I wake up and liquidate my share portfolio?  Now I know why some bankers earn squillions and deserve them.

Happy neighbour who has just sold his house – “Beautiful house in good location finds a buyer in difficult times”.  Perhaps it is time to sell mine and start looking out for a bargain.  I might be able to afford a couple of buy to let flats in a secondary location! Perhaps I need a business plan for myself!

Image via CrunchBaseThe bearded wonder, also known as Sir Richard Branson, has written a new book called Business Stripped Bare and if you go to the page you might win a Sony Ebook Reader or a signed copy of the book.  I have already received a copy of the book as a birthday present.  Sir Richard has found a great ghost reader and I am making my way through the thrilling story.  A bit too much I, I and I but what else did I expect.

All the chat about the Virgin brand has worked for me as I am back on cable having had a wonderful Virgin Media experience; so different from when I was trying to get rid of NTL.  It is difficul to appreciate that it is the same network with a very different business plan.

The only small niggle was that when the router and wireless were installed, my friend realised that the wireless speed was very slow.  After the third call to the help line we really did get some help and were told to move the wireless router as far away as possible from the PC.  We did and the speed rocketed.  Also the Netgear router supplied is so easy to long on to.  I did not shed a tear as I put the Orange Live Box in the return bag – it was virtually impossible to hook onto the wireless and the VOIP never worked even though I phoned the Orange help centre for two hours.  I never was given the promised priority!

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeOli Barrett is billed as a leading blogger and social entrepreneur – a person who makes things happen.  He sounds more like a celebrity to me but we need lots of blogging celebrities.

With a quick search, I found three sites: Oli Barrett home page, The Daily Networker and Battlefront.  He seems to break the golden rule of the Internet by spreading himself around so Google does not know where to find him.

I have suffered from starting three blogs and now stick to this one; well, that is my plan right now!

The Daily Telegraph ran a series on Britain’s Biggest Private Companies.  In the Manufacturing section, Marshall’s of Cambridge came in 7th with turnover of £633million and employing 3,500 people.  It is a big business but hardly features in the Cambridge Cluster although the Chairman, Sir Michael Marshall, is sometimes seen in the list of angels.  Now in the third generation, there must be pressure from some of the family wanting to extract of their cash particularly if you include the development potential of Marshall’s Airfield.  Wonder if it appears in their business plan?

I have just received the “second ever” printed catalogue from Tim Nursey, the sixth generation to run Nursey of Bungay who sell clothes and accessories made from sheep skins.  They are keen to ensure you know that all their “skins are meat industry by-products”.  Everything is manufactured in Suffolk and available from the website or from the shop.  They were established in 1790.

So it is all very different from the companies in the Cambridge Cluster and so must be their business plan.   No rapid expansion and global domination but attention to detail with each coat being made by one person instead of using the more productive process of each operator stitching the same seam everday.

Might be worth a visit with the festive holidays nearby.

Just to make clear, I have no connection with Nursey of Bungay, have never bought or worn their products (as far as I know) but I was intrigued by the sixth generation business.

Interesting that they have gone to the expense of publishing a catalogue.  Could they have been better served by blogging and Internet advertising.  The website looks good but not sure how Google rates it.  When I searched for “sheepskin coat” I realised that it is a very competitive market.  They did not appear in the sponsored links.  There were only eight on the page so the cost of coming nineth and still being on the front page might give a good return.  It will be interesting to see if they pick up this post.   Perhaps they need some photos on Flickr and an entry on Wikipedia.  Even Zemanta does not pull up much for sheepskin coats.  Strange?