Inthespotlight Company name: Johnston Carmichael Who? Shaun Millican, Partner Website: www.jcca.co.uk 1. What were you doing between 10 and 12 this morning? Reviewing a client’s business plan and then preparing for client meetings later in the day. 2. What do you see as your job’s biggest challenge? There are multiple priorities on a daily basis but the ‘biggest’ challenge is balancing and delivering on all fronts. 3. What do you consider your biggest business triumph? I am lucky to have been involved in the opening of our Edinburgh office, which in seven years has grown from four to 70 people. 4. Do you have any money-saving business tips? It can be hard to identify cost savings if you are involved in your business day-to-day. Getting an external perspective from your accountant can help. 5. What do you believe are the 3 key stages on your career ladder? Take on responsibility from an early stage, empower your people and build your network.
An impossible question! There are a huge number of people I admire for all sorts of reasons and this is especially true of people who put themselves out to support others for no personal gain.
6. Where do you stand on work/life balance?
12. Any business (or other) projects you would like to plug?
Commitment and hard work are essential ingredients for success in all walks of life. However, it is important that success is sustainable so there always needs to be a balance.
From a Johnston Carmichael perspective we are always delighted to meet with business people on a no-obligation basis and discuss how we might help them.
7. What do you like to do on your spare time?
I’ve also recently got involved with the Edinburgh Film Festival and would encourage everyone to get along to the 2010 Festival.
Family time, taxi driver for kids, playing golf and helping with my son’s football team. 8. What qualities do you need to see in your employees? Ambition, drive, enthusiasm and a desire to learn and develop. 9. In business, is it more important to be liked or successful? Success is more important because you cannot always influence whether someone will like you. However, the way in which you act and behave should generate respect.
11. Who is your hero?
13. Other than your current position, what would be your dream job? Centre forward for Hearts! You never know… 14. Who (living or dead) would you invite to a fantasy dinner party? Clint Eastwood, Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill and my son would insist I asked Fernando Torres and Cheryl Cole!
10. What is the one piece of advice you would give to others trying to reach the top?
15. Outside of business, what is the most important thing in your life?
Work hard and have clear goals.
My family every time.
February/March 2010
BC
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