Reply to: Has Anyone Here Set Up A SUCCESSFULL IT business

Re: Re:Shop

We're in the process of setting up as an IT consultancy / support company... It's going well so far... Small businesses need a decent level of IT support.

Re:Shop

Shop, what are you advertising yourself as in the YP, etc?

Re: Success story

We now have a new opportunity: -

We are looking for Small Businesses (SME's) that would like to upgrade their 1, 2 or 3 PC or small peer to peer network and start looking proper Server & Client networking solutions.

We can also integrate practically any bespoke application that our customers might need.

More details HERE

By the way - Small Business Suite 6 for up to 5 users & 2 servers is free, but we make a small charge for the media, delivery and a deposit, which is refundable against upgrading or engaging our services within 3 months.

Success story

Well, my business may not be a 'core' it business being primarily concerned with the areas of BS7799 and information security legislation, but now in our second tax year, and having just won an IR35 case, I would class us as a success. :hat

www.advent-im.co.uk

Re: Successful Business

MF,

When you get a chance have a look at Beaconsfield or Amersham for premises. Suitable catchment area and last time I was past that way, there were a few options.

Re: Successful Business

Shop business. Bugger all to do with IT but we sell Monkeys/
Big ones, small ones, furry ones oh and loads of furniture and gifts.

Just looking for a 2nd premises at the moment.

Re: Successful Business

It isn't an IT business but I (not on my own, I hasten to add) successfully set up OneTip.Com after a particularly unsatisfying stint at a large corporate as a contractor lead me to believe there had to be something better in life.

Advertising is the key - even if people don't make use of your business themselves, they may remember your name if a friend or relative mentions they are looking for someone who does 'x'.

It is also unfortunately true that sex sells. We went through a handing out leaflets exercise a couple of times. On the first occasion, one of our analysts (a man) was assigned the task and he struggled to shift them. On the second occasion, we hired a mini-skirted dolly bird and she was beating them off with a stick - we couldn't print the leaflets fast enough!

Just my two pen'orth!

Malingering BA.

OneTip.Com
A Winning Combination

Re: Successful Business

Yes - I've set up two successful IT businesses - but of course it all depends on how you define 'success' and how you define 'IT business'.

The first company was set up in 1981, and is still going, though I left in 1993 (in a boardroom coup). It exploited a niche: developed technical software for the mining industry, and in 1989 and 1990 we got a couple of Queen's Awards, for export and technology. Started with 2 people and GBP100 capital. We had finance from bank, advance purchase by one customer, and a large grant under the Software Products Scheme (this was a very generous 'white heat of technology' initiative by Old Labour, finally axed by Maggie in the mid 80s). Staff grew to 30+ spread over offices in 5 continents. Turnover stabilised at around $5million/yr during the 1990s.

Reasons for success - identified a niche ripe for exploitation, developed a well-engineered product, and most important had 200% committed staff ("not so much a product, more a way of life"). Virtually zero staff turnover for the first 12 years.

Second company, started in 1993, still going (hence by definition successful). Started with 2 people, grew to 3, then back to a different 2. Build project teams of sub-contractors as and when necessary. IT consultancy services to the mining industry. Reasons for success - personal recommendations, word-of-mouth. Zero advertising budget, minimal overheads - even moved from London Docklands to rural Derbyshire to reduce costs as well as improve lifestyle. Loyal clients - developed and managing website for one client since 1996 (is this a record?); working with another on specialised database applications since 2000. Watchword again is niche - find it and stay with it !

Re: Successful Business

Tired of living out of a suitcase after six + years of contracting (SAP ABAP) and with the advent of IR35, combining previous career/experience as Accountant with hands-on contracting experience resulted in ITAccounting, internet based accountancy/taxation service.

Been in business now for 3 and half years, use of the internet to promote / provide and collect information clients made the difference for us.

Good luck to all of you.

ITAccounting Online - Truly Interactive Internet Accounting

make big money

MONEY MAKING SECRETS!!

LEARN HOW TO MAKE AT LEAST $5,000 A WEEK
SIMPLE AND EASY TO LEARN AND BEST OF ALL FREE

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE
WWW.SECRETS2SUCCESS.COM/SPECIAL227410:rolleyes

Back to the original Sujsct

Since October I've really been pushing my company.
Here are the results..

1000 letters sent to solicitors etc (1 phone call) - lead to no business

1000 flyers stuck on car windscreens (2 phone calls) - lead to no business

10,000 visits to website scam - got the hits (Lead to no business)

Joined a local government business forum (Lead to no business (as yet (but bloody good piss ups)))

Joined another local government business venture (2 quotes given (1 lead to business)

Add in the Yellow Pages - Since Early January (15 phone calls (4 lead to business (1 really big money))

Still not answered the question but.. It will be YES soon

Results

Get you add in the Yellow Pages..

www.plantcomputing.co.uk

Back to the original Sujsct

Since October I've really been pushing my company.
Here are the results..

1000 letters sent to solicitors etc (1 phone call) - lead to no business

1000 flyers stuck on car windscreens (2 phone calls) - lead to no business

10,000 visits to website scam - got the hits (Lead to no business)

Joined a local government business forum (Lead to no business (as yet (but bloody good piss ups)))

Joined another local government business venture (2 quotes given (1 lead for business)

Add in the Yellow Pages - Since Early January (15 phone calls (4 lead to business (1 really big money))

Still not answered the question but.. It will be YES soon

Results

Get you add in the Yellow Pages..

Re: Successful Business

For those that are interested in how signatures like this are done.

Simply post similar code in the box "use custom signature" in your account preferences in the EzBoard Control Centre of your account. Then make sure tht the smaller "use custom signature" tick box has a tick in it.

Beware, whenever you edit it the image link puts "http://" in front of the image name automatically - you must take it out otherwise you'll end up with http://http://, and the image won't work.

Re: Successful Business

hurrah

curlies for squares:-

RobAnt

Being a hologram can be a real pain in the assymetric photons! - Vic Fontaine

{link=www.rammshack.co.uk}{image height=43 width=138 border=0}www.ramms.co.uk/images/rammshack.gif{/image}{/link}

This includes a link back to my website & removes that ugly blue border. I knew roughly how to do this - but I couldn't be *rs*d before now.

:lol :lol

Re: Successful Business

Right this should be it