The Diary of a (co-) MD: w/e Feb 21

The Diary of a (co-) MD: w/e Feb 21

This week I've been:

  • Suffering at the hands of Mother Nature. Rowan Morrison and I nipped over to Dublin to meet a prospect mid-week only to have our flight diverted to Belfast because of high winds at Dublin Airport. I've experienced a few white knuckle landings on my travels but nothing compared to this one. There's no feeling like having a landing aborted at the last second and zooming back up into the air with the howl of the plane engines ringing in your ears. We landed at Belfast nearly 90 mins later already having missed our meeting and had to hire a car to go BACK to Dublin with just enough time to grab some food and jump back on our return flight bound for home. What. A. Day.


  • Grappling with finances and wondering about personal value. We're in between Finance Managers at the moment at Rationale , and so I'm having to fly the finance plane solo at the moment. It's akin to a windy landing at Dublin airport having to keep an eye on incomings, outgoings, invoicing and elusive POs. As with my entry last week, it's always a relief having co-pilots in the form of Rowan Morrison and Mark Probert who have both been on hand to offer words of encouragement and support where needed. *** DEEP THOUGHT KLAXON *** I find it interesting to see how I react under moments of high-tension. I've a tendency to take challenges head on, but with no formal finance training it's been difficult to identify where to start with some of this week's adventures. And that's when I typically start to question myself. But as with above, that's where business partners - and friends(!) come in and I'm grateful to Rowan and others for helping me see the wood for the trees. After a short run, a sit down and a clear head, turns out I'm smashing it, ha. Maybe we don't need a Finance Manager after all? (kidding).


  • Supporting the team prepare for ECR, Europe's premier radiology conference, which is taking place in Vienna next week. With several of our clients operating in the healthtech space ECR, and its US cousin RSNA, are fantastic ways of keeping in touch with the organisations we work with, and meeting new prospects. With me in Tokyo next week, our Business Director Drew G. will be representing Rationale . If you're reading this and going to ECR next week, and want to catch-up with Drew then do get in touch. And do ask him about the clown wedding he attended in Vegas...


  • Celebrating a host of staff updates in the Rationale team. As well as welcoming another team member into the Rationale family (welcome Matthew Collins !) I was delighted to learn that a member of staff has had their nomination for a very prestigious industry award accepted. I can't say who at the moment as everything is still under wraps but it's superb validation for a key colleague. Well done, it's very much deserved! You know who you are...


  • Super impressed with the Rationale team who make it such an amazing place to work. Big kudos to Aisling Cotter and Paul Saag for hosting an amazing team collaboration session which left the whole agency absolutely buzzing.



This week I've been inspired by:

  • All things Japanese. I head to Tokyo next week and have been devouring all the guide books I can get my hands on. Tokyo train museum to drive a VR bullet train? Yes please! Okonomiyaki cookery class? Arigato! I mustn't forget I have a marathon to run as well...


  • This old SNL sketch, forwarded to me by Pasco Ashton , Founder and Director of Men's Circle , which describes a play space for grown men. It's funnier than it sounds, trust me. The top comment hits the nail on the head: "I feel simultaneously offended, heard, and excited by this possibility." Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XOt2Vh0T8w


  • Dean Martin. I'm best-man at a wedding in Naples in early May and as part of the celebrations myself and the groom (hi, Alan Riley !) will be covering a famous Neapolitan song with adjusted lyrics. Italians have a sense of humour right?

Mark Probert

Helping independent agency owners scale efficiently with a free community, consultancy, M&A advisory and board support.

1 周

No probs. Always here, literally. Love reading these write ups Svein, not necessarily the ones where Keyman Insurance sounds like its needed ! ?? ??? P.s. The Finance Manager is signed off and WILL be in the door before you can change your mind !!

Rowan Morrison

Co-Managing Director at Rationale | Ambassador Women's Enterprise Scotland

1 周

Love this. As always in awe at your ability to find ways to support other people when you’re so busy, you’re a star. Thanks also for talking me down on the terrifying flight! Alarm set for remote cheering you on during the marathon - you’ll smash it ??

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