I agree with all of you about hands on and working from the ground then up sort of thing until you can get no further.
The trouble is its a family firm and thats what they want too, but some can get far by doing nothing but looking pretty and others take no crap but are fair, well with my good looks and taking no crap i seem to be unique.
End of the day if you think you are right well then just carry on , but if you know someone else is wrong well try to tell them if that fails let them jump in both feet first