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Applying Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) to your business
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Focus of study:
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Project Management |
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Sector:
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Agriculture |
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Impact:
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National and International |
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| Take one farmer; add one
TMB accredited adviser and watch sales grow |
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Stuart Loakes, a Cambridgeshire
farmer, knew exactly what he wanted to do. But, like a lot of
small to medium sized business operators, he wasn't quite sure
how to go about it. Fortunately, getting together with Peter
Cook, a Technology Means Business accredited adviser, helped
him to achieve his objective: getting his business on the net
and generating orders from around the world. |
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| Stuart and his family
have been farming for generations and, like a lot of farmers,
had diversified. For Stuart this involved setting up and running
Manor Farm granaries, which produces birdseed. A problem facing
many farmers is that because they are so busy with essential
day-to-day matters, there is little time left for new projects.
This is just where Peter Cook, a TMB accredited adviser, was
able to help. "Peter came in and geared us up for ICT.
He guided us in the right direction and found the right people
to do the job for us, for example, setting up the website. It
was a very steep learning curve to get started on the web, but
by using Peter, he kept us informed of new developments rather
than us having to keep track of the technology". |
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| Sales are really taking
off |
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| Since trading started on the
web, sales have really taken off and, says Stuart, there are other
spin-offs for the business. "It's great because we get feedback.
People answer questions that you can't ask in an ordinary shop. One
thing we've learned from Peter is to remember that the website is
just another shop window into your business. You need a core business
first". |
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| Stuart would advise anyone
with a similar problem to use the services of a Technology Means Business
accredited adviser. "There are a lot of people who say 'we can
do it for you', we get them ringing up every day, but with an adviser
like Peter you know he's not selling you a product, he's selling knowledge
- the right approach, products and people to go for." |
| Peter believes that running a business
can be a lonely job. "Competition is increasing as new
technology impacts the business world, and very few businesses
have all the knowledge or experience needed. By using a TMB
accredited adviser, as and when required, you can overcome today's
resource and knowledge gaps". Peter Cook, Wilson &
Lee Partners, Cambridge. |
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| Getting what you want,
even when you're not sure how to achieve it. |
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| Stuart Loakes is just one
success story. Technology Means Business accredited advisers are helping
smaller firms in all industries across the UK. Whatever the business
obstacle, is, advisers with this accreditation can help you achieve
your business goals by adopting information and communications technology
effectively. Get in touch today and see how a TMB accredited adviser
can help you. |
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| The
information contained in this business and technology update, first
appeared in the January 2001 issue of Professional Manager, in an
article written by Brian Clegg. |
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