In 2003 we set out to build a business that would be something different, a business that would deliver to its clients not just what they wanted by what they needed. A business that would listen to its clients and would use that knowledge to continuously improve. We began by acting as consultants to build up the required capital that would allow us to build a development team and set about creating our products with no specific clients but an ethic built on hard work and professionalism. In 2003 there were three members of staff. In 2013 we have 19 team members, a client base of more than 80 local authorities (in three countries) and a large range of products.
We were wise in the choices we originally made as to our client base. We chose local authorities as it was clear that they were beginning a process of transformation that would see them seeking greater online transactions and looking for these transactions to be fully functional rather than the previous process of using a form to send an email (giving the customer no better a service). It’s a process that is still on-going and while it takes a while (and still takes some convincing sometimes) the changes in local authorities have been quite surprising. I often think that people don’t give their local authorities credit for the innovation that they try to create. When you consider the amount of completely different services they deliver and the amount of work that is needed then their work to get services online overshadows some of the bigger private sector organisations out there that still don’t offer fully transactional services.
But I digress. The last 10 years has seen Zipporah grow against a backdrop of doom and gloom for several years as recession and belt tightening threatened all businesses. It’s a testament to the hard work of our teams and to the delivery of the products on their promised savings that Zipporah has grown year on year during this time. Many still question a business case on savings for local authorities with online systems but the continued use and purchase of our products is the greatest proof possible (not to mention the amazing ROI calculations we gather from clients……ask us about them, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this years ago).
In 10 years of success it’s fair to say we haven’t always got it right in terms of business decisions, choices of products and even sometimes clients we have pursued. We are lucky that being small gives us the ability to react quickly and to turn a bad decision into a good option. Either through sheer hard work or one or two flashes of genius. We have always been lucky though that we work in a close partnership with our clients and this has ensured that we have been successful in what we have attempted (and conversely the one or two bad choices are generally tied up with scenarios where we haven’t been given the opportunity for that partnership).
Earlier this month we threw a party in Cardiff to celebrate the success that Zipporah and its hard working team members have achieved. Unfortunately its difficult to invite clients to this who work for local authorities because it can be seen an attempt to influence them and also they are spread far and wide. That being the case I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank our clients for their support in our success. Its obvious that any business would fail without clients but so many of our clients contribute so much to making our products better and to helping us to make Zipporah better. I cannot name names here but you will know who you are, those of you who joined us early on and have continued to work in partnership offering us guidance on what would work better for your busy services, those who let us know what we should be preparing for in future and those who come to the user groups and give their time. My particular favourite – those who are willing to debate the best way to achieve the goal we are all aiming for challenging my views and letting me challenge yours.
The last 10 years have flown past and it is apt that this year begins the start of another 10 as so much is changing in the organisation at the moment to build and improve for the future (all will become clear over the coming months). Thanks to everybody who has contributed to our success for the last 10 years, there are too many to mention. I hope to catch up with you all over the next 10 years as we work together again to make Zipporah stronger and our products even better.
Scott Burton
Director
