It's all about creating connections
'If we can, you can' is here to help entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs make the connections they need to move to the next level.
Join 585 Entrepreneurs, get help from 79 Mentors or offer your expertise to 87 Mentees
Register now Log inBecome a mentor
How good does it feel when somebody asks "How did you…?" and you can give them an answer that helps them? Whatever stage you're at, there always someone following in your footsteps.
Become a mentorFind a mentor
Our online 'matchmaking' service is designed to get you started - to help you find a kindred spirit who could offer you support and guidance. Find someone whose wisdom you could benefit from.
Find a mentorThe big picture
Aspiration
From the outset we wanted to start a business that provided a worthwhile service that benefited the Northumberland area rather than simply selling products for commercial gain. We saw a need for a meaningful and respected market that we both had previous… read more Lorna James, MOLLY MAID Berwick
IWCYC Blog
Explain Expansion
EXPLAIN, the market research agency based in Newcastle, has opened a new CATI centre in South Gosforth. The company has moved 12 staff from its head office to a new facility equipped with the latest in telephone technology.
The move frees up two floors of the current office, allowing Explain to make further additions to the senior team which it recently split into strands of quantitative and qualitative expertise.
The new centre was officially opened by John Mowbray, a director of Northumbrian Water and a client of Explain for over 10 years.
Commenting on the move David Shiel, Explain Managing Director said:
“2 years of continued growth meant that we had outgrown the current office. Ideally we would have liked to have moved into larger premises but we were advised against trying to sell Leazes Park Road in the current downturn. The next best move was to rent additional space and move the CATI (computer aided telephone interview) department, lock stock and barrel.
The last two years have seen record growth in the business. We are still recruiting and have not ruled out acquisitions provided any opportunity keeps the cost base competitive and adds clients in new sectors. In 2006 we did not even provide social marketing interventions but now we are a key specialist consultancy to the Health Service throughout the North West, Yorkshire and the North East.
It is important we continually consider how we sustain our growth and remain aware of the many opportunities out there that can develop from nothing. The benefit in being small means we can move really fast when it matters.
The company has many years expertise in the utilities market and we punch well above our weight with companies in the water, electricity and electricity distribution sectors.
Northumbrian Water was one of our first blue chip clients and we were delighted when John agreed to open the new office. They regularly market test our service so he will see first hand why we will try and justify a price increase in the next negotiations!”
John Mowbray commented:
“Explain is at the heart of everything we do to understand our customer’s view and they provide a key service to Northumbrian Water. It is wonderful to open this new facility and see the growth in their business here in the North East.”
You can read David Shiel's inspiring entrepreneurial journey by clicking here
