Advances in technology that enable flexible working are key to creating business opportunities, as garden designer Alice Bowe demonstrates
Two years ago I was drawing all my garden designs by hand, but as my business expanded, so did the need for technology to support it. When coming up with the initial garden designs, drawing is still my most important creative tool. But now I use computer-aided design and a host of other technologies to allow me to cope with growing demand from customers and to turn that sketch into a finished garden.
By working out which technologies suit my needs, my business has gone from strength to strength. I was thrilled to be one of the winners of BT’s Essence of the Entrepreneur 2006, which recognised the way I use technology to provide customers with inexpensive garden designs.
Technology brings financial rewards
Without technology, I couldn’t run a profitable business, I have BT Business Total Broadband in the office and it is especially useful for my Garden Design By Post service- a low cost service for those on a budget, such as first-time buyers. Customers fill in a questionnaire online and upload photos of their gardens. Through broadband I can easily access services such as Google Earth and Ordnance Survey maps to get photographic footage of the garden. It cut out the need for me to visit the site which saves the customer money.
It’s not just my postal business that benefits from technology. My bespoke garden design commissions take me all over the country so it’s important that I can take my office with me. My mobile and laptop go everywhere and I’m a big fan of BT Openzone hotspots. I can stop at a coffee shop or petrol station and get online securely – which is great if I have to view photos from a project, sort out a problem or amend designs and surveys on the move.
I have to be flexible, the nature of my work demands it. Customers often want me to visit in the evening or at weekends and I need to be available for them – bit the technology means I’m efficient and it cuts out downtimes too.
Achieving success
My three golden rules for running a successful business would be – first, never forget the personal touch; your must be available and approachable for your customers. Next, don’t become complacent; constantly improve your product or service. And lastly, find a balance between work and play. Stop work at a fixed time each day, even if you don’t want to.
