06-08-2011, 11:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-08-2011, 11:43 PM by AlanBeckett.)
David, David 
I agree entirely. Roberts were the forerunners of the likes of Sugar, Branson and (particularly) Dyson. You charge what the Traffic will bear. An old Salesman said to me many years ago 'Any fool can sell a pound coin for 95 pence, the secret is to get £1.05 for it.
Having said that 'There's nothing new under the sun'. If you look at history without the rose-tinted spectacles such people have always been there, and they've often flourished. Look at Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was a Cowboy who made almost all of the modern versions look like rank amateurs. Lots of his Projects ran late, over budget, didn't achieve what they were supposed to or were never completed. Nevertheless, we need people, and Companies, who are prepared to take risks, if you like 'give it a go'. However, it's a sad fact that apparently once the original entrepreneurs have sold out, and the Company falls into the hands of 'Professonal Managers, it's not long before the whole lot goes down the pan - think EKCO, Pye, GEC etc.
Alan
I agree entirely. Roberts were the forerunners of the likes of Sugar, Branson and (particularly) Dyson. You charge what the Traffic will bear. An old Salesman said to me many years ago 'Any fool can sell a pound coin for 95 pence, the secret is to get £1.05 for it.
Having said that 'There's nothing new under the sun'. If you look at history without the rose-tinted spectacles such people have always been there, and they've often flourished. Look at Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was a Cowboy who made almost all of the modern versions look like rank amateurs. Lots of his Projects ran late, over budget, didn't achieve what they were supposed to or were never completed. Nevertheless, we need people, and Companies, who are prepared to take risks, if you like 'give it a go'. However, it's a sad fact that apparently once the original entrepreneurs have sold out, and the Company falls into the hands of 'Professonal Managers, it's not long before the whole lot goes down the pan - think EKCO, Pye, GEC etc.
Alan
