Tom Meets Derek, a Man Whose Word Is His Bond ; in Association with Rbs Entrepreneur and Former Director of Newcastle Software Giant Sage, Tom Maxfield, Swaps Ideas with Former Banker and Computer Firm Boss Derek Curtis.

Summary

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TOM Maxfield helped build Sage into a FTSE 100 company before leaving to launch hotel and restaurant business Tom's Companies, spa chain Serenity in the City. He has since sold the spas and Seaham Hall hotel.

Derek Curtis founded Sunderland-based customer relationship management software firm Bond in 2001, which is growing with the recent takeover of a Manchester rival.

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Extract

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Tom Meets Derek, a Man Whose Word Is His Bond ; in Association with Rbs Entrepreneur and Former Director of Newcastle Software Giant Sage, Tom Maxfield, Swaps Ideas with Former Banker and Computer Firm Boss Derek Curtis.

They ask each other five questions.

DEREK ASKS TOM:

Derek: You were involved in the early days of Sage and in establishing one of the strongest partner channels in the world with Sage Business Partner Channel. These days most accountants recommend Sage products to their clients. How important is relationship building in the selling process or is it all product driven?

Tom: I've always believed the product is secondary - if you look at Apple it is their brand that sells their products.

They have fantastic marketing, an...

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