In previous years both as the owner of a limited company and as a sole trader I never really had any work to do between mid- December and the end of January. I used to twiddle my thumbs, catch up on paperwork, maybe redo our own website, put nothing that directly earned money.
This year has been different in one main aspect in that we have had work on the go from 2nd January when I returned to the office. We're busier than we've ever been and there are a number of reasons for this I think:
- We've been trading for 2 years so more people know we're here
- Many organisations in Redcar and Cleveland like dealing with local businesses and we're now seen as a genuine player in the Web field over here
- The economy is picking up
- Being part of BNI Links Chapter in Redcar is generating regular work that means there's a constant base level of work so the the old peaks and troughs have become peaks and a good general level of work - it's a massive part of our growth strategy in terms of generating work directly and providing a great support network
- I'm learning to do business better, after all I'm naturally a geek not a businessman, again BNI training and events they are involved in have massively improved my business skills (still a long way to go though)
- Outsourcing of stuff that's not our core - print design, animation, servers, bookkeeping, payroll, personnel policies, H&S policies, contracts - all to local companies who do that better/more efficiently than me and my team (we'll give you a list at the end of our local suppliers)
- People come into our office and it has a great Wow Factor - there's space in the Palace Hub so get yourself in there if you're a creative business
- BNI and the Palace Hub have provided us with a set of quality collaborators that allows us to pitch for bigger and more complex jobs that we can't do purely on our own
- A lot of last year was spent trying to move up the level of work we do so that projects are generally larger. As we primarily charge for our time this means they take longer to complete and therefore there is also a more constant level of work.
- Peter has grown in confidence and learns very quickly. He now does a lot of work unaided which has freed me up to bring work in
- And you know what, we're really good at what we do
So why do I say the year has now begun?
Well despite having a good level of work to do the new contracts weren't coming in until this week, which has been a great week for new customers.
We've taken over the management of websites for local accountants and a joiner including search engine optimisation work for both and a massive clean up of the very malicious code for the joiner whose site was blacklisted by Google - it's now fully functioning and safe to use.
We've also won new contracts for a website for local companies including roofers, a crime writing site, an office supplies company plus some further e-marketing for a wedding company in Wales. There's also an agreed contract for a wedding event company subject to their funding application which we expect to be successful.
Next week we've got meetings regarding potential work for an e-commerce solution, updating and managing a website for a children's play centre, meeting with our two partners in a planned social media venture and an eBay shop to sort out for a client. Lot's of other quotes out awaiting client feedback and funding applications including a couple of nice 4 figure sites, a 5 figure site and early talks on a complex site that would integrate with back office software.
So a big thanks to our suppliers, collaborators and just people and organisation who have helped us get where we are and are taking us forward. A list is below, massive apologies if I miss anyone as it is Saturday morning at home and I don't have a list of everyone with me.
Suppliers and Collaborators
- Ambrose & Co Accounting Solutions
- BE Group
- Binary Techniques
- BNI Durham & Teesside
- Cake Temptations
- Dee Danks
- Di Fox
- i2i Business Solutions
- JG Office Supplies
- Nash Russell
- Peak Image Photography
- Philxam
- Redcar & Cleveland Council/Palace Hub
- Richardson Removals
- Smooth Print
- Sphera Consulting
- World Sight Media
Thank You!
