Can I commend you to read KashFlow moves from start-up to bid target in the FT. Duane Jackson’s story, which owes much to the help given by the Prince’s Trust, really does show how a start up can disrupt. It also shows the importance of the charisma of its founder – in this case Duane Jackson.
Tonight I tweeted that Jackson is “the best self-publicist on the planet”. It’s only slightly an exaggeration! I think we tend to underestimate the importance of having such a person at the helm. Most really successful companies do. Indeed, when that charismatic leader ‘moves on’ and is replaced by ‘the company man’ its fortunes inevitably dip. Think Apple, think Microsoft.