Diary of...
Paul Jacobs,
cheif excutive,
Clearstone

Monday

After being at Office Angels for 16 years - the past five years as managing director - the unthinkable has become a reality and I'm starting a new role in a different business. This is incomprehensible to my former colleagues and a surreal experience for me. It is exciting yet nerve-wracking. I've got a handover with the managing directors followed by a full-on board meeting. Let's just say that during the drive home, my blink rate accelerates somewhat.

Tuesday

Despite my cool demeanour, my body is falling apart. This is a slight exaggeration, but having endured keyhole surgery on my left knee last week, I'm supposed to be at home recovering. With my knee nagging me, I start to conduct discussions with my new direct reports, starting with finance and then to a familiar subject 'recruitment'. Great news, the business is doing well and I'm encouraged by product offerings and services that Clearstone provides.

Wednesday

A day at one of our training schools, and I'm thrilled to have confirmed that it is a very professional, well-established business, populated by excellent instructors. Back to the West End for dinner with a new employee who will add real value to our business. It turns out that he played for Aston Villa and scored a 'screamer' at Maine Road.

Thursday

Back in Camden and more time spent in receive mode, discussing business strategy with my training managers. The day is liberally interspersed with enquiries from my new board colleagues asking me what strategic changes I'm proposing to make. No pressure there, then! But the jigsaw is coming together and I'm mentally building a composite picture of the business goals and visions.

Friday

I'm immersed in discussions with colleagues, including our marketing manager. My ideas are greeted enthusiastically and the rest of the day speeds by as I continue to take on board a mass of information, while stifling the urge to implement all my innovations at once. The standard of business intellect, talent and commitment is marked - and the foundations are strong. Camden never looked better. So far sew goodJames Michelsberg has turned his back on recruitment and set up a made-to-measure tailoring business in Leeds.