The Soft Center Diaries (continued)

September 2002

Andy

Too easy. The professor was quite negative about Soft Center, behind our back, making criticisms which seem completely unjustified. It seems he has a track record of being 'difficult', we find out. Meanwhile a near certain prospect is reluctant to sign our suggested agreements. I have meetings with Ian and our lawyers to see if we can compromise and although we make some changes, it isn't enough for the prospect. The agreements are pretty standard and the prospect's reservations are perhaps a symptom of an underlying anxiety about losing full control. We have to cross him off the list. And another less likely prospect is also off the list – we don't think his idea has legs.

On the positive side, we've begun to meet people from the various public sector agencies who can support fledgling businesses and we begin to gain an understanding of what they can do. Better still, we have met with some people from Universities in Dundee who are starting an exciting sounding games company – we've made them an offer, which they are considering. We've managed to put them in touch with one of the aforementioned public sector agencies and that looks promising.

Additionally we have two new prospects – one is an existing business apparently looking to relocate and start some new projects and the other is a different professor.

Finally Louise is working hard to organise a launch party for the middle of October.

Louise

Have spoken with a few prospects and things seem to be happening very quickly. That is up until a certain point. I didn't realise exactly how big a step it is for someone to start their own business. We try and take a lot of the pressure off but this is their livelihood we're talking about.

I decide to meet with Commercialisation Managers from the Scottish Uni's, Project Manager's from other incubator units and find out what they're offering and inform them about us. I learn such a lot from different people, one was in my position 13 years ago and now they are constantly running at 95% capacity. There is so much scope in this market it's just a case of letting people know about us.

October 2002

Andy

I get back from a weeks holiday to find that I have an almost immediate appointment for a minor operation. Day surgery in PRI is absolutely fantastic but I'm quite restricted for a couple of weeks afterwards – I can't even drive!

It's taking a long time with the games company. I conclude that making the real commitment of starting a business is difficult. It's understandable, I suppose. Putting your name to investment agreements and so on must be quite daunting. By the end of the month we have agreed a one-month tenancy with someone giving them help on their business plan. A meeting with the existing business does not take us very far – it all seems much harder.

The launch party is a great success – a good crowd including MPs, MSPs, the provost and a range of other people. Louise has done a great job.

At the end of the month, after the board meeting, the second professor presents his ideas. They are truly wonderful. I go home uplifted that anyone can be so clever and come up with such ingenious solutions.

Louise

We get word from one of our prospects that they want to come to SCP. This is great news. I'm organising our official launch party and now we can invite our first tenants. The launch party was a great success. Presentations were good, the attendees were from varying areas of the public and private communities; politicians, councillors, local businessman, the atmosphere was super and the buzz about SCP was great. Oh the buffet was good as well. Caveman Arts enjoy the launch party and are realising what they are getting involved with and how much SCP can help them. There is some discussion with Caveman regarding the Agreements. A few points need clarified. They decide to come to SCP on a month's trial.

November 2002

Andy

We get our website launched, although I need to learn the skills to keep it up to date. Things are going well with the games company. The help we've arranged, from Lee Dove, is really adding value, but Ian is having to work hard to arrange the short term funding they need to turn their business plan in to an investment proposal likely to succeed. Lee is also doing some work with the second professor – sifting through his various ideas to see which might have commercial potential. I feel quite down as I had a meeting with the existing company, which I feel I messed up.

Louise

The trial is going well and the feedback from Caveman is more than positive with the work they are doing on their business plan. They decide to sign the agreements and really get going. Some of them are finishing their courses at Abertay, they've just formed their own company and become directors, this must be so exciting for them. I hope things go well for them. I attend the United Kingdom Business Incubation conference in Edinburgh. This was an international conference and there were people there from as far as Australia. Great turn out and I got the chance to meet with people doing my job on the other side of the world. The conference was interesting and very informative.

December 2002

Andy

The year ends on a high. The games company – Caveman Arts – have signed all the agreements and officially taken up a tenancy. The PA puts it on the front page and we feel we're really making progress. There's another good prospect too – one of our Directors has introduced us to a couple of guys with a great idea in the insurance sector. The work on the second professor's ideas is progressing and the original near certain prospect has approached us again. If things go well we might even have a problem of success – we might have filled the office space in the Soft Center building. We talk about getting its neighbour refurbished and linking the two with a conservatory atrium.

We have a small Christmas party and look forward to 2003.

Louise

Getting things tied up for the end of the year. Looking back on the past few months, there is no doubt in my mind; I am pleased I am working for SCP.

January 2003

Andy

The rollercoaster continues. Caveman continues well – it really does look as if it's going to be a good business and a great asset for Perth. However progress on the second professor's ideas and with the insurance sector business is not quick. And the returning near certainty has walked away from the altar again. The need for expansion seems a little premature.

We have achieved a lot in 6 months but it is not as much as we wanted. It's a chicken and egg problem. Once we have built up a critical mass it should be much easier to sell the unique Soft Center proposition, but getting to that stage is difficult.

However this is a long term venture and we and Perth are lucky that the private individuals and public sector bodies who are backing Soft Center have had the vision and commitment to do so.

This morning Louise and I met with a potentially valuable source of prospects and later on I listened on while Ian helped the insurance sector business with some advice on company structures and funding – I need to learn about these things so I can talk about them to future prospects. And as I write this, Louise is talking to another prospect we have identified.

Louise

We are thinking of the best ways to market SCP. We have re-written our correspondence that goes out to prospects, it makes easier reading now. Starting to make links with the bigger corporations and building on relationships. I'm organising a seminar that will take place in