in News by Vanessa Zainzinger. Permalink.
The CEO of the Ecurie Group about the post-Lehman weeks, the adrenalin rush given by great cars and GPS Paintball.
Name: Chirag Shah
Age: 42
Company: The Ecurie Group, operating and franchising écurie25 Supercar Clubs
Turnover: £5m
First job: Production Engineer, Rover Cars
Dream job: I know it’s a cliche, but I bet I get told I have the best job in the world more often than anyone else. For me the idea of a business trip is hosting guests at the Monaco Grand Prix whilst drinking champagne on a yacht. Maybe Bernie Ecclestone's job is better - but then he doesn't get to drive in his own product.
Car: Fisker Karma (electric hybrid). Driving on just electric power is exhilarating and good for the soul. Plus I always have the stable of Ferraris and Lamborghinis back at the club when I need more of an adrenalin rush.
Economy, business or first class: Economy with Business Class upgrades when I have sufficient air miles.
Most extravagant purchase: In 2004 I opened a new office in Chicago and bought a Ford Thunderbird. By the time it had arrived I decided to return to the UK. I couldn't face selling it, so I shipped it back with me to London and it has been in my garage with 1000 miles on the clock ever since.
Most played song on iPod: I can't be bothered with downloading music - I'm just happy to listento whatever's on the radio. My favourite song is Goodbye Yellowbrick Road by Elton John.
Best business book: Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore - a 'must read' for all early stage entrepreneurs struggling with growth cycles.
Worst business moment: October 14th, 2008 – four weeks "post-Lehman" we had literally sold nothing for a month. I told my wife that I would have to shut down if we did not make any sales by Friday. On Friday, the Bank of England officially announced that we were in a recession and for some bizarre reason that I will never understand we made three sales that same day.
Proudest business moment: Receiving a Sunday Times "Best Companies to Work For" award in 2006, because it is something that employees of a company apply for and not management.
Business mentor: Lord David Sainsbury, through the Sainsbury's Management Fellows Scheme. He has formulated a programme that combines business education and peer-to-peer networking to help young engineers become successful business leaders and that has been a great inspiration for me.
Next big thing: A friend and I have just launched a new iPhone game called Assassin Live - it takes the game of Paintball into the real world by tracking and shooting each other using the GPS on users' iPhones.