A world trip and some developments at Nixon McInnes

My big news is that in September 2008 I’m going to head off on a 12-month trip around the world – something that has been my dream for the last 10 years but on hold whilst I’ve been growing a business. The plan is to live and work - still in the Internet industry - for three months each in three different locations around the world. During the three months in-between I’ll be taking a break from the world of work and travelling around some other countries. I’ll write more about this trip on my blog at a later date.

Although it’s 15 months away, we’re beginning to prepare now so the company will be ready. The most important change is that instead of having two joint Managing Directors at Nixon McInnes, Will is going to take this role and have overall responsibility for running the company. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have in the top spot – he’s going to absolutely ROCK. This change has the added advantage of giving the company clearer lines of responsibility, which is an inherent problem with having joint managing directors.

During the months leading up to the trip I’m going to be focussing my efforts in two areas:

1. The ‘production and people’ side of the business: Building and developing the team; getting us more efficient; and ensuring that our work is of the highest quality.
2. Continuing to develop new and existing client and partner relationships.

Also key to our preparations are the recruitment of (or development of existing team members into) a Production Director and a Business Development/Commercial Director so that my roles at the company are more than covered when I take my break. With these key hires in place, the company will have a stronger board than ever before.

At the end of my year away I will be returning to Brighton and Nixon McInnes full-time. It’s going to be exciting coming back to the company without it being reliant on me for anything operational. I’m also hoping to bring back some new perspectives and ideas from my time working in other Internet companies around the world.

The shareholding of the company isn’t going to change. Will and I still own 50% each and we have no plans to change that.

So there you go. It’s probably more exciting for me and Will than anyone else, but it’s important to clearly communicate what’s going on in case anyone gets the wrong end of the stick.

Comments

[Matthew Hill]

Flippin' eck! Nice one Tom! Sounds like a fantastic opportunity and one that I'm rather envious of -- my plan is to travel at some point too, but right now it's a pipe dream.

It's great to see how you guys are continually positive about the changes that come the way of NM. I'm beginning to wonder why I ever left... :-)

[Tom Nixon]

Aww, we miss you too, Matt.

[Alex Farran]

I'm pleased for you too, believe it or not. I'd heard you mention you planned to travel for a year. Good to see you've put a deadline on it. I look forward to seeing your plans unfold in this blog.

Matt, travelling can be a lot cheaper than you think once you compare it to the cost of living in Brighton.

[GP]

Hey, that's great news!

I'd be curious to know 1. how you're planning to organize working from wherever you will be and 2. if you already know where you are going to go?

[Scott Lawson]

Fantastic idea, any thoughts on where in the world you will be going? It's hard sometimes to stick to a fixed period of time, I left Australia to Canada planning on being there for 3 months. I moved on to the UK after a year and another year later and I still haven't returned...