I’VE dragged myself away from Fortune magazine to write this.
My body clock woke me at 7am as usual and as my wife slept on beside me, I read about wifi in aeroplanes, how American Express has come up with the perfect model for chief executive pay, the development of “widgets” for social networking websites and how a former ice cream salesman has turned around the Gucci empire to be named Europe Businessman of the Year.
Fortune magazine has changed my life.
I discovered its appeal on a trip to the World Cup in 2006. I was a guest of Hyundai at the England v Paraguay game in Frankfurt and there was a copy of Fortune in my hotel room. I put it in my bag for the return flight and I’ve had a subscription ever since.
Back in the days I was editing motorcycle magazines, I never would have guessed I would read a magazine like this. But I love the way it puts wisdom and advice from its featured entrepreneurs and visionaries into panels printed alongside the interview. It’s very inspiring. It even gives investment advice and will be quick to acknowledge when it gets things wrong. There’s a kind of confidence in that, as well as a reminder that it gives no guarantees.
If somebody asked me if there is already a magazine that is a bit like Peterborough Business, I’d say Fortune. I’m trying to apply the Fortune formula to the micro-economy of my city. We have our global operators, we have our tech start-ups, we have our visionaries and we have our enterprising service companies.
Like my window cleaner, Bob. Back in the summer he demonstrated his new kit to me. It uses specially purified water to remove the dust and grime and then he leaves them wet. This saves him lots of time, obviously, but he also uses less water, so it’s good for the environment.
When he first used it I was sceptical (journalists tend to be that way) as he rushed off to his next job, leaving my windows flecked with droplets. But sure enough, they dried clear and sparkling.I don’t even know Bob’s surname, but next time he knocks for his £13 I’ll get his details and put them on the forum.
Sunday, 20 January 2008
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