There
is nothing quite like being invited to someone’s private residence when you are
travelling. It gives a unique insight into the local culture. Last night I had
such an invitation. I didn’t know my host personally (so will protect his
identity). He was a friend of a friend.
Through
coincidence there were a number of water-sector professionals passing through Singapore
and so, at 8pm last night, four of us arrived at our hosts’ gorgeously beautiful, artifact-filled, residence. Imagine a cross between the good bits of the
British Museum and Downton Abbey and you won’t be far wrong. Our host was a
major mover and shaker, and very generous with his hospitality. Before us lay
an evening of sparkling conversation, fine wine and delectable food.
I love
evenings like this. I always come away wiser. Aside from new insights into the world
of water I learnt why hotel minibars always have exactly the same contents, and was given a horrific demonstration
(on my own iphone) of the NSAs ability to track my every move, every call, every
thought. As midnight rolled around I found myself playing backgammon on a solid
silver board with my hosts partner and work colleague, without a doubt one of
the most beautiful and informed women in Asia.
One
of my fellow guests was Trevor Hill, a good friend who has featured in these
Notes before. Trevor is a unique beast. A former naval officer who spent the
1980's working out how to get clean water to his shipmates. Today he is the CEO
of a water-focused software company called Fathom. I adore the Fathom story:
the company was spun out of a water utility in Phoenix, and now provides a
specialist software platform to over 5 million customers that both saves water
and enhances the end-users experience. Having invested over $50m developing the
platform Fathom employs over 150 staff. Many are specialist software developers,
people who would never normally have considered the water sector for a career.
At Fathom they don’t help us order a pizza quicker, or download a movie faster,
they help look after the planets increasingly scarce water resources.
Below
is a link to a podcast that Trevor recently gave. It is 38 minutes long. Aside
from the Fathom platform it describes why consolidation of the 56,000 US water
utilities is difficult (short answer: water is heavy). It is not the most
exciting thing I have ever listened to, but I tuned in while sorting through a mountain
of expense receipts and Trevor’s gentle Canadian lilt made the task simply fly
by.
34
minutes in Trevor gives out his personal mobile phone number. I think it’s a
test to see who listens all the way through. Save yourself the effort and text
him on +1 623 203 8667 to tell him how good he was. It will make his day.
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