Well Iceland actually, on my way to Chicago. Its 30,000 feet and my fellow passengers are gently snoozing their way across the Atlantic.
The business class flat bed is a wondrous invention, although for me it feels more like lying in a plastic coffin. I don’t mind though, solitary moments of reflection are rare in the heady world of a small family media production company and I am so excited about our ‘Great American Export Adventure’…., so I thought this would be a good time to begin my first blog.
But first the formalities, allow me to introduce myself… My name is Sam Gemmell, I am the Managing Director of The Cool Creative Company, a UK media company specialising in bespoke, creative digital media products. We design and produce script-to-screen 3D computer graphics and animation, (including cartoons!), broadcast and corporate videos, interactive DVDs, CD-ROMs, web sites and pod casts for organisations needing to communicate, train and sell their products and services.
We also have an Anglo-American e-learning company in Florida with our US partner, called e-sphere – Global Learning Solutions, focussing on e-learning in multiple languages and sectors for adaptation across the globe.
I, along with seven other intrepid UK entrepreneurs, am on my way to the Kellogg Institute of Management to begin a week long Marketing Masterclass. The UKTI scholarship is an amazing opportunity to learn about the American business ecosystem from one of the best business schools in the world and to rub shoulders with top executives from global corporations.
After an intensive first week, the scholars spend their second week with an American company looking at how the strategies are applied. I’m spending my time at our e-sphere office in Delray Beach, Florida, cascading the learning and developing our operational plan.
I speak with our partners a couple of times a week, but it’s a good few months since we last saw each other. The Floridian way of doing business takes some getting used to… it’s demanding and immediate; it’s also Vicram Yoga at 6am, open shirts, blueberry and kelp iced-tea and an ocean dip after meetings. Being something of an armchair athlete in a chunky pullie, the culture shock is palpable.
Florida is a great State for us to start a business, digital media is one of its growth sectors, and there are employer friendly labour laws, no state income tax and a good inward investment program.
It's also an e-learning hub and a launch platform for the south eastern States.…oh and since the islands are only a 20 minute sea plane ride from Fort Lauderdale, I think I’ll check out the business opportunities in the Bahamas – Location, Location, Location….