Business name change (from "Graphics by Nick Alderson") to emphasize different nature of services provided. Concentrating on Web design / development, Digital photography, Image manipulation and animation. This company specializes in tele-working and consequently has clients all round the English-speaking world.

Achievements: Learning a new way to work (tele-working) and mastering the many ways to move money round the world electronically. Doing tax returns on the internet. Getting to grips with new software (Macromedia products)...ongoing!

Reason for leaving: ~ not left.

Established with the help of The Enterprise Allowance Scheme this company was a free-lance Graphic Design / Photographic consultancy and studios. Working for contacts in the Print Industry initially. Later projects included creation of promotional materials et-cetera coming from end-users in the Music Business and Brewing Trade amongst others. After 1996 Photography accounted for as much as 40% of turnover. Also IT became more important at this time, widening services provided and increasing customer base.

Achievements: Courses attended at the Business Support Unit taught the basics of running a small company, bookkeeping, cash flow, financial control and budgeting all covered. Turning what was known instinctively into quantifiable data to be acted upon. Gained 5+ years experience running a successful small enterprise. Photography meant contact with general public, increasing interpersonal skills.

Reason for leaving: ~ not left ~ company changed name.

Brought in (as a Partner) on recommendation of fellow ex-employee of "Graphics (Blackburn) Limited", to run Graphics Studio. Directed all creative output and was responsible for the supervision of 4 Graphic Designers. Photographed all in-house projects. Later more involved with Client relations and print procurement.

Achievements: Successfully established House Style for company, unifying look, feel and quality of Client visuals, finished artwork and printed materials. Had to budget by project (a new concept not come across before). Learned to cooperate with 3 other partners honing communications skills. Often won the argument, when right.

Reason for leaving: Resigned. The partnership took on a massive contract from persons known to other 3. After a number of months there seemed to be a "long firm fraud" involved. Recommended closure of account and court action to recover £60K+. Not acted on. Feared financial implications of not being paid and liability for 1/4 of £35K+ owed to suppliers. Had to leave...4 months later the company was wound up!

Joined this company (straight from college) when it was a one-man band working out of an attic near the town centre. Not incorporated at this time, Graphics (Blackburn) was a very small graphic design studio run by John Wilkinson who had just left employment with Leyland Paints. One of his many contacts, made while there, wanted an exhibition designed. There was no way he could do it by himself so he asked around for help. A 'phone call from a lecturer at Blackburn College got the interview arranged. John's desperate situation made a temporary job a necessity. Taken on for 2 weeks (trail period), the job lasted 8 years. Starting from junior designer and tea boy, as the company expanded, the job title changed from Graphic Designer to Studio Manager. Later when a screen process print shop was established promoted to General Manager. Responsible for 4 design staff and 8 printers and finishers.
This job meant running the whole show. Consequently offered a partnership and later becoming a Director, this was a dream career for a young Graphic Designer. The money and benefits were very good for the place and time. Everything was going along perfectly but it has to be remembered that the qualifications for this job were not in place. The Directors had no business training. The company continued to prosper until its founder wanted to leave. Then finance was needed to buy him out.
A plan was put together where a local printing firm would buy his half of the business. Advice was taken and all seemed well. Within weeks of the new ownership being in place, the company was asset stripped and left to go into liquidation. A new company was set up and continued trading with the good will of the old.

Achievements: Gained tremendous experience as a Graphic Designer. Learned to manage employees, suppliers and customers. Successfully ran a small firm for 5+ years. Biggest lesson: Trust nobody where money is concerned.

Reason for leaving: Promise of Directorship in the new company was not honored.