BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES CASE STUDY The team at ojo solutions INSIDER


inspire


NAME: Emilie Calhaem POSITION: Export Manager E: emilie.calhaem@businesswest.co.uk


develop a business that focuses on helping businesses and charities get the most out of technology. As an experienced technology


and strategy consultant, Nathan has a talent for shaping and visioning technology solutions that will transform your business. Tom is a leading


Providing solutions to local businesses I


n 2012 ojo solutions was launched, bringing together the complementary skills and expertise of its three directors to


‘We love hearing about business challenges,


application developer proficient in coding languages and Kevin is an experienced application and software designer who always puts the user first. ojo has come a long way since 2012, where


speaking to people in person and offering immediate insight’


their first office was the garden shed! It’s directors moved into the Glove Factory Studios in Holt in 2013 and now, a team of nine, they have upgraded to a first floor office, with its own balcony and stunning views over the Wiltshire countryside. Being part of the Business West Chambers of Commerce has meant that ojo are a part of a well-connected group, helping them to grow and prosper. So much so, 2016 was a year of many highs


for ojo, as director Nathan explained. “The perennial challenge for our business is reaching clients in need of our expertise, and we’ve found going to local business networking events extremely helpful in this regard,” he said. “We love hearing about business challenges, speaking to people in person and offering immediate insight and advice. “As a result of this we are working with The


FACTFILE COMPANY: ojo solutions


LOCATION: Studio 24, Glove Factory Studios, Brook Lane, Holt, BA14 6RLZ


WHAT WE DO: ojo solutions Ltd are pioneering technology experts providing strategy, development and innovation services to entrepreneurs, ambitious companies and charities.


HISTORY: ojo started as a bedroom business by their two founders back in 2000, building websites for family and friends in return for food, beer or a holiday!


Disabilities Trust on a multi-million pound transformation programme and it’s been hugely satisfying making the charity more efficient and better able to deliver brain injury rehabilitation. “Furthermore, it’s been a great way for us to


connect with the local business community and help establish the region’s reputation for being a tech hub.”


To find out more about ojo’s innovative approach to making technology work visit www.ojosolutions.com


What does your role involve? My role is part of the Export for Growth Export Essentials programme. This means that I go into businesses who have signed up for the Export manager part of the programme and give them a minimum of five days of practical support in relation to internationalising their business and starting to sell overseas.


What do you love about your job? No two companies are the same and therefore no two days are the same. There is always a new challenge and a new way to help a business start to export.


What were you doing before you joined Business West? Before I joined Business West, I worked for various SMEs in the South West on the export side of their businesses. For example, I looked after international distributors for a company in Somerset. It was in this role that I gained a lot of the experiences that I can now call upon in my day job and in the workshops too.


What is your top tip for exporters? Make sure you have considered all the angles before you start, for example, is your product ready for that market, who is going to deal with overseas customer service requirements. We cover this in detail in the workshops as I passionately believe that proper planning when exporting can prevent expensive heartache further down the line.


What is the most unusual thing you've come across at work? Good question... I speak several languages and I often come across interesting translations for products and ingredients into foreign languages. I once found a menu with pickled “unions” in a hotel near Amsterdam airport. These sorts of things always make me giggle.


MARCH/APRIL 2017 insight 15


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