WebDesPix LtdWebDesPix LtdContext of BCS 2010

like ducks to water

Company Slogan

BackgroundBackground

Formed in 1999 by 3 Computer Science graduates from Bristol University.

Tom, Dee and Ali decided to start their own business designing websites.

NoteInternet businesses were already in place by 1999, but this was the height where it really

took off. This means that WebDesPix started in the

market at the right time.

BackgroundBackground

I still act as the non-executive Chair of the company.

We could run the company from anywhere in England but, as we were all from different parts

of the country, it was easier to locate where they had studied.

John (Tom’s father)

BackgroundBackground

Started with £8000 initial capital raised from Tom, Dee and Ali’s families.

Ali left the company after 2 years. Tom and Dee bought her out and now own 50% of the shares.

Tom and Dee intend to give John (Tom’s father) their shares.

Started WebDesPix with £8000

They each have equal share in the

company

All of the shares will then be owned by a single

share holder – one of the original investors.

BackgroundBackground

It is company policy to re-invest profits.

The company has never had a bank loan but uses an overdraft facility.

Companies can choose what they do with their profits. They can share them with their

employees (profit-sharing), with the shareholders (dividends) or to re-invest

within the company. This can be to expand, reduce debt or borrowing, upgrade their

equipment or even just to reduce risk during a difficult financial climate.

Many businesses will take out a bank loan to pay for new equipment or to extend their premises. This will be agreed with the bank and paid back, with interest, within a certain

time.Instead of a bank loan WebDesPix have an overdraft

facility. This means that they can borrow money from their bank account by spending more than they have. The limit of the overdraft will be agreed in advance and must not be

exceeded.Interest rates on overdrafts are higher than that on loans,

but the size of the overdraft will vary.

Company Objectives - 2009Company Objectives - 2009

Consolidate following two years of sustained growth (15% on turnover per annum)

Market all products on-line

Increase use of e-commerce in its own website and those it designs for other companies

Continue trading in a competitive market where anyone can be a web designer

All companies have to grow, however, with this growth comes

risk.Deciding to consolidate growth

reduces the risk to the company. It slows down the growth and aims to

secure the companies position.

Web orientated companies tend to market (advertise their products) heavily online.

To do this they target specifically where and when they want their adverts to appear.

E-commerce is the fancy title given to the ability to market and sell products over a website.

This gives companies the chance to sell all over the world (increasing their market)

Reduce expenditure (having product information and brochures online for customers to download – reducing printing costs

Number of sales staff can be reduced as the information is online instead

Back in 1999, when the company was just starting, web development as an industry was also starting. Currently, Web development and the art of designing websites is being taught as

early as Primary School.

Business TodayBusiness Today

Web design is still the core of the business◦Budget Package - £800◦Professional Package - £1000◦Executive Package - £1500

New services include:◦Electronic newsletters◦Domain registration◦Hosting◦Search engine optimisation.

Newsletters in an email

Selling the addresses for a website.

Selling the space the website is stored on.

Making websites search engine (e.g. Google) friendly, to increase the number of visits to your website.

BrandingBranding

WebDesPix Ltd

Tagline/Slogan of “Like ducks to water”

WorkWork

Labour-intensive with relatively low overheads.

WebDesPix builds and upgrades its own computers

Tom is responsible for Sales and Finance

Dee is responsible for Design and Health & Safety

Other areas of the business are shared between them.

They’re a company working for a client, what the client wants has to be created.

It is not always as easy as it may first appear.

Helps to keep overheads down and gives them responsibility for their own

machines.

Clear departments, means employees know where to go if there is a problem.

WorkWork

7 full time employees◦Two sales assistants◦Two computer coders◦Two search engine optimisers◦One sales assistant

2 part time employees◦Tom’s Personal assistant◦Bookkeeper

No-one works from home

Office hours are Monday to Friday 0900 to 1730

Working from home will often seem like a good idea. Within a business

it makes communication

between workers difficult, especially

when there will be a lot of communication

between the employees and their clients.

It also gives WebDesPix a greater control over

their employees.

Salaries and BenefitsSalaries and Benefits

All of the full time employees are highly-qualified (a degree in IT) and skilled.

The part time employees present monthly invoices for their services.

Full time employees receive ◦a monthly bonus based on turnover◦Health insurance after 6 months employment◦Free lunch every Friday◦Use of Wii during their breaks

Sales assistants, additional to their salary, receive 12 ½ % commission on their sales

VacanciesVacancies

Advertised on:

The company website

Regular networking meetings in the Bristol area.

Tom and Dee interview new applicants personally

3 month probationary period

Current employees train workers as required.

A great way of keeping up with industrial trends, finding new

employees

Communication & SoftwareCommunication & Software

Main form of communication is email

Fax is rarely used

Occasionally use video conferencing

Company website used for advertising

Networking meetings and word of mouth are very important.

Sage accountancy used for all financial documents

Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook.