A New Project

I took a break from the near endless process of reading and editing over the past few days, and thought about some new alternatives.

I had a call from a group that sponsors CEO led acquisitions -- their model is to locate senior managers with at least ten years experience managing P&L's of at least $100M, and have them put together a strategy to acquire and rapidly grow mid-sized companies. They supply the capital. I rejected this one out of hand, as I'm not willing to move, and the chances I could put together a deal locally is very low indeed.

Talked to a good friend about doing some consulting work. Said yes to that, but I don't think it really leads anywhere. It will still, however, be fun and will allow me to exercise my "management muscles" before too much atrophy sets in.

Discussed management roles, in general with another friend. He works for a bank, and said there were times where having the right person to put into a senior management position might make the difference in their decision making for loans. He asked me if I was open to considering such positions -- I said yes, but I will be extremely picky, particularly with respect to my potential relationship with owners.

Another contact asked me if I would be interested in purchasing a business line from him. After thinking about it, I think the answer is yes, provided my best friend will agree to run it for me. My day to day involvement will be limited to the kinds of things I like to do -- strategy development and execution, relationship and contact management, and new product development -- and would take only a fraction of my time. Eventually I would sell my equity position to my friend.

Started to develop the concept for a new novel -- Working title is Heir Apparent. The storyline focuses on a daydream I had once concerning how a senior manager COULD react, if he was the Heir Apparent in a large company, but discovered he was about to be passed over. In the story, the senior executive resorts to murder, and then several additional killings of prominent local CEO's to try to cover his tracks. Of course, there will be a good guy who will try to stop him, too.

A break in the action is a welcome way to mull over new opportunities.