Leadership seminar with Lord Swaraj Paul

Lord Swaraj Paul did a talk about Leadership and Innovation at JBS on the 5th of December. He was more of an old style speaker and read most of his speech. However, it was a very punchy and influential talk. It was about the lessons he learnt on his journey establishing a company that has a revenue of over £600 million. He started his first company in Cambridge with a sum of £5,000, which he had borrowed.

One of the important things he did (and the best in his 16 years in his business career) was the de-listing of his company from the stock-exchanges. His view is that once the company is listed, it becomes essential to please the city and the short-term goals of the business takes priority. It is much easier to borrow money from the banks and the borrowing also ensures that you get a free consultant on board who gives free advice and ensures that money is efficiently spent. His company is going gaga about India and China and are setting up a number of plants in both countries.