Occupation

Operations Director

Organisation

Elimpus

Could you give a brief potted history of your career to date?

I graduated with an MEng in Electronic and Communications Engineering from the University of Bath. I then went to do a part-time Phd at the same university whilst I worked as a research assistant on a project for National Grid, UK. Whilst doing my undergraduate I started my first internet domain registration business which I later sold and started my own internet based business with a couple of university friends. In July 2005 I came to Scotland to work as a research fellow at the University of Strathclyde in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Once in Scotland I put all my effort into developing my research into a commercial offering. In August 2007 we spun-out Elimpus Ltd from the University of Strathclyde and I have been working full-time as the operations director since.

What made you get involved in this area of work/this career?

As a teenager, I determined the odds of becoming an astronaut were against me and my research seemed to show the future of space exploration would require a lot of electronics. Hence my undergraduate course in electronic and communications engineering. When I graduated, the prospect of researching and developing technology with the potential of seeing a tangible and novel product at the end as opposed to just joining a graduate scheme with ESA seemed more appealing so I became a ‘research engineer'. As an engineer I always believed my main goal was to develop technology to support the development of society. I thus really just stumbled into becoming a ‘fulltime entrepreneur'.

What are you responsible for in your job and what do you like best about it?

At the moment we are a growing business. Whilst my job title is Operations Director, it is at this moment in time just a formal name rather than a description of my functions. I am responsible for the business development including internationalisation, liaising with clients and potential clients, manufacturing and delivering of products and services, quality assurance of both products and services, sales and marketing, software development and the continual improvement and development of our technology. I bit of a mouthful really.

What is a typical day like?

I do not have such a thing as a typical day since I spend a large percentage of my time travelling. However, if I am in Glasgow and do not have any onsite work with clients on the day I try to keep to some sort of schedule. I set the alarm for 0515 and cycle to the gym which is by our offices. After the gym I go to work. First thing, I discuss any issues with the engineers and staff as well as any change in priorities and which might have appeared due to overnight conversations with overseas clients. If necessary consider changes in targets. Following this, I start multitasking; I make and answer any necessary phone calls, write emails, go to meetings, develop company material, if I get the chance do some engineering and, in between, solve issues which arise at any level. I try to leave the office at around 1900 and go to play badminton, football, golf or go swimming. I get home, have something for dinner, work some more, make any necessary overseas phone calls and go to bed.   

What is your working environment like?

At Elimpus we have an informal working environment. The people make the place and hence we do our best to make our environment a cheerful one.  We are a young, entrepreneurial company with a young employee base.

What challenges have you faced in your career and how have you overcome them?

I suppose it all depends what you mean by challenges but by my definition I have faced very few challenges and none big enough to be worth mentioning as examples.

Do you ever make mistakes? How do you deal with that?

Everyone has at some point. I do however try and keep them to a minimum and try not to make the same mistake twice.I deal with mistakes in a systematic way. As soon as I notice I have made a mistake I curse and get rid of my frustration. I then analyse the mistake and its consequences. I develop a plan, or several, to make it right. I then apologise, let everyone who ought to or deserves to know, know, outline my suspected reasons as to why it has happened and the remedial actions which I am putting in place to fix the mistake. I then work non-stop until the mistake is put right. Once fixed, I let everyone know it is fixed, how it has been fixed and the measures that have been put in place so the mistake does not occur twice as well as an analysis of what has been learnt during the whole process. I also ask the parties involved for any feedback.

What is your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement is in my phonebook, the names of both friends and clients. I have the best friends in the world who still talk to me even when I go AWOL and don't reply for months on end. Their friendship never ceases to amaze me. I also have very intelligent and knowledgeable people as clients, to have gained their respect and trust is incredible.

What would you like to be doing in 5 years time?

At this moment in time I do not think that far ahead and if I did, it would be a well-guarded secret! I have cooked the same food for lunch and dinner every day I have been in Scotland for the past two months so as to reduce time spent thinking about and doing shopping. Five years is a world away.

Is there any advice you would give students entering your career?

Do your homework and take advice. Make sure you understand what you are getting into. In addition, an idea is not enough, if you do not have or do not want to commit the resources in terms of time, effort and finances, do not do it. Success inevitably requires a lot of work and is not always worthwhile. However, if one never risks, never shoots, one will never win. Of course, this has to be done in a calculated way.

What do you think could be done to encourage more women to enter your field?

I think young people should be told how to calculate, take and manage risk. People should be encouraged to push boundaries and be competitive within respectful and truthful boundaries. Success or failure lies within ones personal control or influence, non-successes are not failures but learning opportunities. People should be taught this. In addition, I have never encountered any discrimination in my field. In today's environment people will always respect professionalism. It is important to put this point across.  If one is good at what one does and one behaves in a respectful manner one will be rewarded with the same level of respect. I think too many young women are put off by people making too big an issue of the differences between sexes and the idea of a "glass ceiling", an issue which in my experience is nowadays not present in my field.