Goodmans Hotel

Copies of the paper refined from my hurried drafts were passed around the table. Peter could have had little more than an hour to work on it, but had turned my rag-bag of extracts into a three-page well ordered document. He spoke for ten minutes, rehearsing the main arguments in the paper, sounding more and more enthusiastic as he went along, expanding on the benefits that would flow when the Institute became the leading influence on new computer technology throughout the profession.

He said that recent progress with the firm's own systems put it in a unique position to help the Institute take on the key role of helping the whole profession obtain better value from computer suppliers.

Listening to him I almost began to think that he might win the partners over. The old codgers' faces expressed nothing, but that was normal. On the table, too far away for me to reach, was a plateful of biscuits. No coffee had been offered me, and it would have been impertinent to ask, but the chocolate bourbons and jam creams looked mouth-watering. After finishing his peroration Peter turned to me and said, 'Have I given a reasonably accurate summary, Mark? Anything you'd like to add?'

He had put the case so comprehensively there was little for me to say. 'I think you've effectively covered the ground. I might mention one specific thing, the improved level of security now available for high speed transmission of data over telephone networks. This does extend the scope for co-operation with other organisations. I could provide more detailed information on any of the topics mentioned if you,' I looked at the expressionless faces around me, 'have any questions.' I wished a couple of strong new arguments had come to me; what I said was better than speechless embarrassment, but not much.

The chairman, concealing the nastiness of what he was about to do behind a smooth civilised tone, said, 'Forgive me if I show ignorance of computer science, but this latest software that you're implementing - am I using the right technical terms?'

'Yes.'

'This new software, I am sure it is a wonderful advance, but how big a difference will it make to our firm, or to the other firms which Peter believes might benefit from it? Will there be, for instance, major cost savings, or some great attraction to our clients? Should we look forward to it bringing us substantial new business?'

'I can't say that, no. Some things will take less time to do under the new system, so there will be some savings...'

'But not major savings?'