Pictured above: Phil Wheldon
The ethos of Phil Wheldon's company is to make IT fit the
client's business - rather than the other way round. Judging
by Wheldon Computing's performance to date, this approach seems to
be working very well.
The Nottingham-based business was established in 1998 by Phil
and his wife Amanda. It offers a comprehensive service which Phil
describes as a two-way education process and similar to that of a
freelance IT Director's role. "We learn about the client's business
in order to identify and explain the benefits that IT can deliver.
We start with the business needs, typically looking at workflows
and business process with an aim to remove bottle necks and gain
efficiencies.
A good example is a retail shop that also sells over the
internet. We can help get the web orders directly in to the
sales process."
Wheldon Computing applies innovative technology to help
businesses boost their sales and build stronger relationships with
their customers. For example, Wheldon Computing can help companies
generate qualified sales leads using short text codes and free text
calling technology - or speed up a company's order processing with
text messages for reminders and acknowledgements.
Comprehensive service
As well as development and consultancy work, the company
provides a comprehensive range of support services including IT
audits, real-time monitoring of networks, system hardware and
Windows, installation, configuration and maintenance of anti-virus
solutions, spyware/malware solutions and proactive systems
maintenance.
When Phil was looking to move the business forward, he contacted
Business Link to discuss his ideas. "I was developing a marketing
strategy and wanted to build on our professional image and
reputation as we moved forwards.
"I was also interested in skills development for myself and
wanted to find out from Business Link, what options might be
available."
Ideas development
Through a local Business Link adviser, Phil was given mentoring
support and is already realising the benefits. "It's great having
an impartial, professional expert who knows about business and can
act as a confidential sounding board for my ideas. I feel that my
adviser has already helped me to improve the direction of the
business."
In addition to the mentoring, Phil is working with his local
Business Link adviser to review training needs, resulting in the
business successfully applying for funding that is currently being
made available through the Leaders First initiative. "I intend to
use this funding towards getting a Microsoft Certified
qualification which will be a boost to my professional standing and
to the business," adds Phil. "I am also working towards developing
my sales and marketing skills."
Future growth
Phil's Business Link adviser is helping him to explore ways of
reinforcing and building on the professional image of Wheldon
Computing - including the possibility of acquiring new
business.
"This is an exciting time in the company's development," adds
Phil. "It's great to have access to the wider network of
expertise that is freely available through Business Link to help
the company develop and grow."
Top tips:
· Strengthen your
business: use IT as a business tool to deliver real
benefits
· Make the most of support
from organisations like Business Link - they can help identify
funding, training support and provide access to specialist business
support.
· Develop your business:
innovate. It can be very cost effective and more beneficial than
you may think
· Protect your business: use
automatic offsite backup.