Bryan Dion
Q: What were you hoping for when you agreed to do Boss Swap?
A: There were three things I was hoping for:
- I wanted to see how another company works.
- I wanted another set of eyes to have a look at Decomatic.
- I wanted to gain some publicity for our humble bag company. Everyone needs a plastic bag and I hoped we could pick up a few new customers.
Q: How did you find doing the Swap?
A: I found it educational going to another company. We learnt a lot about public relations from Lee coming here. I'm not sure whether we will get any good publicity for Decomatic. I don't think I came out of the process very well, but that's reality TV for you.
Q: What was the best bit of the Swap?
A: It was very satisfying at the end when I saw the changes I had made coming to fruition. And the send-off I got from LeepeckGreenfield was great. Their staff were fantastic.
Q: What was the worst bit of the Swap?
A: It wasn't really a fair swap. Lee was sole boss at Decomatic but at LeepeckGreenfield I had to run everything past my co-director. I found that very stressful.
Q: How did you get a feel for your new firm?
A: Within the first two days I went round and tried to introduce myself to everyone individually. After that I tended to fall back on a handful of managers.
I found it difficult. In manufacturing you can see the product move through the factory. If you have a group of people standing around, you know they are not working. In PR the product is conceptual, so you can't see the development of the product as it goes through the office. If you have a group of people standing around you have no idea if they are working or not.
Q: What were the firm's strengths?
A: The staff are the biggest strength. There are a lot of very talented, very creative individuals working at LeepeckGreenfield. It's well managed. It's new. They've got a great customer base.
Q: What were the firm's weaknesses?
A: It's not really a weakness but they are a big fish in a small pond. To expand they need to crack new markets.
Q: Did you learn anything from doing the swap?
A: I learned a lot:
- Working in a PR firm made me realise that image is very important.
- I prefer to be the boss, not a co-boss. I don't play well with others.
- I learnt that reality TV is not real.
Q: What would you have done if you had had more time?
A: I don't think I could have achieved much more with that management structure. After two weeks I was still learning to crawl in the PR world. Everyone around me was full steam ahead.
 Decomatic website
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Lee Peck
Q: What were you hoping for when you agreed to do Boss Swap?
A: We thought it would be great promotion for our company. For a regional company to get on network TV is a great opportunity. We knew it was a risk, but we have got nothing to hide.
For me it was an opportunity to test my management skills. It was something new and exciting for our people.
Q: How did you find doing the Swap?
A: I think it was one of the greatest experiences in my life, and I think I'm someone who has had a fair share of experiences.
It was very hard work but it was very rewarding. I was able to make a real difference. I had a ball. When I was back at LeepeckGreenfield, I missed not having a TV camera following me round all the time.
Q: What was the best bit of the Swap?
A: We did a launch party. Out of nothing we had 70 people and the local paper celebrating our relaunch. To preside over that, to see everyone working together and thriving, that was fantastic.
Q: What was the worst bit of the Swap?
A:
The dislocation. I was separated from my 4 children and my girlfriend. I wasn't allowed to use my mobile phone. I was out of touch with my business and my business is my life.
Q: How did you get a feel for the new firm?
A:
My strategy was to get a cabinet around me. I identified 3 people to be my eyes and ears. I was more concerned with the business than the product. My aim was to try to inspire people.
Q: What were the firm's strengths?
A:
The product and the people. The people are very committed. The bags are amongst the best in the country.
Q: What were the firm's weaknesses?
A: It lacked dynamic management; it needed grabbing by the scruff of the neck. It needed an injection of enthusiasm.
Q: Did you learn anything from doing the swap?
A: I learnt that I could lead people. I've always been a self-appointed leader, because I started my own firm. It was a revelation to go into a company and see that I could be taken for a leader so quickly.
I was also reminded of the importance of patience, calmness and listening. These are real people are you can't muck about with their lives.
Q: What do you think you could have achieved if you had more time?
A: I would have loved to be there for a year and to have made Decomatic a very slick operation. I would have sold their town centre premises and moved to a modern building on an industrial estate.
LeepeckGreenfield website
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