Overseas Marketing Executive

Things moved so quickly after getting the job at Dyson as I had a hundred and ten things to organise, beginning with my accommodation arrangements. Luckily, family friends in the area were prepared to put me up for the initial week or so. After staying with them this week, they found out just how little space the intrepid explorer takes up... how much fun he is... and how he'll happily swap a mattress for a comfy wooden floor.

Thus, they agreed, I can stay the entire three months!!!!

Also, I had the small problem of a car, what to do, what to do. My very, very trusty Polo was on its last legs indeed, and it was a very sad day when we decided that enough was enough. We couldn't let the Polo suffer anymore under the stewardship of the intrepid explorer, and especially not for this highly important challenge.

My parents knew that they needed to help the intrepid explorer change. And change isn't easy, not even for me. But having lent me their car, the intrepid explorer was able to make that now effortless transition to the ultimate professional, the intrepid marketer. So huge thanks to Mum and Dad!!

And so I began work on Tuesday, and one of the first things I did was have my thumbprint and a photo taken. High security for very good reasons, as believe it or not, every single day a new patent is filed at Dyson. Innovative indeed!

I was shown into the office and a big office it was!! I can't see the end of it!! My manager took me on an epic walk down the office, showing me each department. My department is located near the front of the office and the manager mentioned that James Dyson's glass-fronted office was just behind us, but I didn't believe him.

In fact, when I parked up in the morning I was told "...park anywhere son, but not in JD's space". I thought about it, but didn't want to ruin things so quickly!! I wondered whether I would see him at all, but I was told that he still is very much a presence at the headquarters.

So on the first morning I was given a very much prized possession; a yellow Dyson book. This is given to each employee and it basically takes you through the history of the company and the challenges that the company faces.

On Wednesday I was deep into my work when I looked up and JD himself was just perched on the end of my desk talking to someone!!!! I have seen him quite a few times this week and strange to think that this is the inventor and Chairman himself!!!

My role is specifically looking after 10 markets in Europe, assisting my manager in bringing some focus and strategy to the different markets. Later on I might be able to pick up some responsibility outside of Europe.

Can't say too much more than that, but so far so good!!

London Eye

Last weekend, the family went on a trip on the London Eye, check out the pictures by Edwin, junior Swinbourne, with some pictures of the BT Tower too, near where Charlie, aka "Spark" lives...

The intrepid marketer

The intrepid explorer went for an interview yesterday with Dyson, the innovative vacuum and washing machine company, for a job as an International Marketing Executive. You read it here first!!



The headquarters in Malmesbury, near Bristol, is quite nice, it's glass fronted, stylish and lots of vacuum cleaners everywhere, no dust to be seen!!!

I went into reception and was then taken up to a meeting room for an interview with the International Marketing Manager and a lady from Human Resources, passing a few 2-drum washing machines on the way.



In fact, going into reception as you walk over the glass floor, just beneath lies each Dyson vacuum ever made. And before that you walk over a narrow platform to go inside to reception over a layer of water, minimalist indeed.



The interview fired away with a series of questions ranging from "what are your strengths, and areas which you could perhaps improve" to "what are the challenges facing international marketing". After over an hour of questioning, the interview finished and I made my way out of reception.

Driving back up the road to Nottingham, I had to pull over to take a phone call, and the news came, I had got the job!! It is an initial three month contract which could be more depending on me as well as them. Also, because it is short-notice, I start on Monday or Tuesday which is pretty crazy, but the intrepid explorer as always is looking forward to the challenge.



The corporate world isn't easy, there will be lots and lots of work to do and the files on my desk are mounting already as we speak...



I will pay a visit to Marks and Spencer to get some much needed shirts!!!

The corporate world awaits...

"The scribbler" returns

"The scribbler" has returned!!



"The scribbler" has been living it up in Rio for the last couple of weeks, nice life if you can get it. Whereas the intrepid explorer, as we all know, would have roughed it up in Rio. "The scribbler" lived it up in a luxury, beachfront apartment, sleeping on the only thing he knows - a very comfortable mattress. Not quite the fearless explorer then.

It sounds like he had a great time, as not only did he check out the amazingly colourful as well as scantly clad Rio carnival (lucky guy), but he was also at the legendary Rolling Stones concert on the Copacabana beach.



Not all of it was plain sailing on his epic voyage though as he also checked out some of the poorest areas in the world, no doubt he'll tell us all about it soon.

I am looking forward to the much needed refreshment and some more scribbles, yarns and mayhem from the scribbler:

www.scribblerspark.blogspot.com