I retired from personal blogging in July 2008.
But you can find me over at http://blog.xero.com.
Wow what a week. Great result at the end, but the real benefit was being able to spend time in market and start building relationships that are going to be so valuable over the next few years.
The week has been stimulating but great fun. I’ve laughed hard all week. The Welsh people are so like New Zealanders and I felt a real sense of sadness leaving new found friends.
Thank you Claire, Eleanor, Ian, Jonothan (red socks), Jackie, Vicky, Natalie, Steve, Mike, Andy, Meurig, Gareth, Robert, Tom, Gary, Darryn, David, Mark (I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone). I especially enjoyed hanging out with my South African Eyeslices buddies - Kerryne and Michael who I shall continue to be a WOMA for.
They are not selling eye treatment. It’s 5 minutes of me time. A better gift you could not give.
Each of the finalist companies had a fantastic program set up for them during the week. That takes a lot of work to organise. Thank you IBW. The companies that came to meet us sent senior staff and were very generous with their time and advice. Thank you. It was especially cool that each of the finalists found significant opportunities that will work for them.
My final impressions of Wales are these:
- How Wales is acting on a vertically integrated and coordinated strategy for economic development to transform themselves.
- Like New Zealand, the depth of relationships in Wales was notable. That provides competitive advantage for smaller countries.
- Their common sense approach to inward investment, creating a win-win for companies wanting to use Wales as their European launch pad.
- The level of sophistication of thought we saw right across the board. From the practical, pragmatic (and colorful) academics at Newport Business School - to the Technium incubators.
- The importance of infrastructure investment.
- How Rugby is an important cultural link between Wales and NZ. Xavier Rush is Cardiff Blue’s captain so NZ’ers are have good profile in Wales.
- Wine street in Swansea. An anthropologists dream.
Bottom Line. Wales has had to reinvent itself over the last 20 years. The Welsh Assembly Government has put strategies in place and is leading a transformation. It’s been a good week for Xero, but also a big week for thinking about what we have to do in New Zealand. The status quo means we are drifting backwards. Wales provides a very relevant case study for New Zealand, and a natural partner to help us Go Global.
For other New Zealand companies I would encourage you to engage with International Business Wales. This has been a very, very rewarding week for me.
Transiting at Hong Kong with Ernie Newman (I’ve been reading his Netherlands Adventures for the past few weeks) and Selwyn Pellett from Endace. I just love that about being from NZ.
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Congrats Rod! Awesome News for Xero…great to read about your travels & success over in the UK ..it sounds like the Welsh have been looking after you..Safe travels back to NZ.
Hearty congratulations Rod to you and the Xero team for the win. As a software marketer and Xero investor (allocation depending) it’s great to see Kiwis with both a global vision and the brains to implement it.
I read a tip sheet the other day from an “expert” investor, deriding the Xero float as taking a punt on a dream. Absolute bollocks. We need more Xeros, FPH’s, Rakons & Software for Excellence’s to drag this country out of its reliance on cows and sheep for income.
I’m absolutely thrilled you got this commendation. A good solid track record of companies continually doing well will put us on par with countries like Finland and Sweden with their mobile industry.
Hope you had a party :) Thanks for all the interesting tips about Wales; perhaps you should filter them through to the Government 2.0 barcamp just being seeded for 15th September 2007:
http://barcamp.org/BarCampWellingtonNZegov
Hi Rod. This is an official congratulations to you. See I told you so! It was an honour and privilege to even be considered as potential competition to you and I learned so much from my interactions with you. Thank you for your frienship and encouragement during the Wales week and for the great laughs!! You are officially eyeSlices Chief WOMA (word-of-mouth-amabssador) as well as a friend for life! All the best as you go forth and take over the world!