On 27th April 2016, I became Managing Director of Laser Red.
Yesterday was my ten year anniversary.
I’ve been sitting with that for a day or so, trying to work out how it feels. Honestly? It feels both longer and shorter than ten years at the same time. A lot has happened. A lot has changed. And the stuff that really matters has stayed exactly the same.
I didn’t arrive in the MD chair through a recruitment process or a LinkedIn application. I started here as a teenager doing admin. Over the years I worked my way through design, development, digital marketing, sales, account management. Pretty much every seat in the building. So by the time I stepped into the top role, I already knew this place inside out. That grounding has been one of the greatest advantages I’ve had.
Laser Red itself has been around since 1995. Before Google even existed. I’ve now had the privilege of leading it for ten of those years, and it’s still something I think about often.
In 2019, I completed the buyout of the business from my dad. That was a moment I’ll never forget. For the last ten years I’ve also worked alongside my wife, Kirsty. As Finance Director, she’s been one of the most important people in keeping this ship pointed in the right direction. Running a business with your partner isn’t for everyone. For us, it works. And I’m grateful for it every week.
So, what have I actually learned?
1. Attitude beats everything. In both directions
Give people with the right attitude the chance to prove themselves. They’ll often surprise you. On the flip side, don’t hang onto people with bad attitudes hoping they’ll come around. Toxic negativity spreads fast and drags your best people down with it. Act quickly in both directions.
2. Know your numbers. Keep it simple
Keep your costs under control and find ways to track what matters without drowning in reports. I’m a big believer in KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid. If your reporting system takes more time to manage than the problems it’s solving, you’ve overcomplicated it.
3. Have a plan. Stick to it
A solid plan will beat “I feel like doing X today” every single time. Emotional decision-making might feel right in the moment, but it rarely moves things forward. Plan as far ahead as you can, commit to it, and trust the process.
4. Listen to your team. Not just their words, but their actions
You can feel a culture shift before anyone says a word. When something changes in the room, find out why and act on it quickly. The team will tell you everything you need to know if you’re paying proper attention.
5. Delegate. Trust. Verify
You are not a one-man business. Use your team. This took me an embarrassingly long time to properly learn. But the moment you stop trying to do everything yourself is the moment things start to really move. Always follow up and verify things have been done and not left to collect dust.
6. Chill out. It’s rarely as bad as you think
Stress and panic are terrible decision-making companions. Sleep on it. Come back with a fresh head. Better still, find a trusted advisor or mentor and say the thing out loud. Verbalising a problem has a remarkable way of making it smaller.
7. You’ll be a target. Make peace with it
No matter how much you give, how much you listen, or how many things you change, 100% of people will never be happy 100% of the time. Coming to terms with that will save your sanity. Do your best, act with integrity, and let go of the rest.
8. Relationships are everything
With clients, suppliers, partners, your team. And yes, even people online you’ve never actually met in person. “Who you know” has helped me more in the last ten years than “what I know” ever has. Invest in relationships constantly, without an agenda. It pays back in ways you’ll never be able to predict.
9. Compound your improvements
Always be looking for things that could be better, aren’t working, or are flat out rubbish. Set the standard of anti-complacency yourself. Because if you don’t, nobody else will. Improvements don’t have to be dramatic. Small ones, stacked consistently over time, compound into something significant. You get the picture.
10. Don’t always follow the crowd
Being a little different and finding your own way is more fun, more rewarding, and you’ll attract clients and people who are bored of the status quo too. Some of our best decisions at Laser Red have been the ones that raised an eyebrow at the time.
Ten years in, I’m genuinely more excited about what’s ahead than I’ve ever been. The team we’ve built. The clients we serve, many of whom have been with us for over a decade themselves. The direction we’re heading. All of it fills me with real pride.
To everyone who’s been part of these ten years, whether you’re still here or you’ve moved on, whether you’re a client, a colleague, a collaborator or a friend of Laser Red: thank you. Genuinely.
Here’s to the next ten. 🥂
Liam
