We’re preparing to celebrate our six-year anniversary on 15th November; that’s six years of helping organisations to implement Microsoft cloud business applications and CRM solutions.
How time flies when you’re having fun (as they say)! It’s such a joy to have helped so many customers over the years to take control of their processes, productivity, and communication!
We’re immensely proud of what we’ve achieved since Strategy 365 was launched in 2016. From becoming a Microsoft Silver Partner within just 18 months of starting up, to the moment we gained Gold Partner status in just over four years – we’re continuing to aim high!
We’ve grown quickly as a company and team, making our first acquisition within two years, and moving into our new offices in the Staffordshire Moorlands in 2018.
Not even a global pandemic could slow us down, and in October 2020 we launched our newly refreshed brand and kickstarted a new phase of growth via a new marketing strategy.
This week we caught up with our Managing Director, Gavin Nixon, to ask him about the journey so far…
How does it feel to be marking six years, and why did you establish the business in those early days?
“I couldn’t be prouder of our team and what we’ve achieved – we have almost doubled our turnover in just two years, reaching the £1million mark this year for the first time.
“I initially set up Strategy 365 after spending the previous seven years working with Microsoft’s CRM applications. It felt like the right time to move on. I wanted to create a business fuelled by a passion for the technology, that would place its staff and customers at its heart. I really believe we’ve achieved that!”
What has led to Strategy 365’s success?
“It’s our customer-first approach. We don’t employ salespeople; we use our tech knowledge to help our customers to make an informed decision and to find the best solutions for the problems they are trying to solve, all driven by our set of core values.
“This approach has worked well, and we’ve received so many lovely comments from our clients over the years.”
Feel free to ask us about the great comments we’ve received; we love to share them!
What’s the importance of working with a Microsoft Partner?
“Microsoft’s licensing and programmes are constantly being updated and new product features are being implemented faster than ever. It’s now vital to work with a quality Microsoft Partner who is aware of all the changes and how the tech works, to advise on the most affordable and appropriate options.
“For example, in some circumstances where a Microsoft Dynamics 365 first-party application isn’t the best fit for a customer, we’ll be honest, and we’ve helped customers save thousands of pounds with a custom Power Apps solution instead.”
What’s changed in business technology over the years?
“The pandemic really highlighted the need for digital transformation; businesses either already had the technology when lockdowns started, or they have had to implement it to adapt since.
“People are now more aware of how secure the Cloud is and have been switching from less secure on-premise solutions.
“We’re also seeing a lot more people working remotely or using hybrid working. For example, now when someone says, ‘let’s set up a meeting’, it’s assumed they mean a Microsoft Teams meeting, rather than a physical one, whereas prior to the pandemic, it was the other way around. Microsoft has also noted this, which is why when you set up a new meeting using Outlook, the options for a Teams meeting come up first automatically.”
What are your thoughts on future tech trends?
“Gone are the days of just forms over data. Running your business using current and historical data only is like trying to drive your car whilst looking in the rear-view mirror. Today’s Microsoft cloud solutions are more about trying to predict the future and not just looking back at historical data. We’re seeing more and more intelligent Azure services coming into the platform to really enhance the functionality. For example, voice and text services, artificial intelligence and cognitive services, tighter integration with Teams, and more. I’m sure we’ll be seeing the Microsoft platform continue to evolve with the use of more of this type of technology in the future.”
Any more exciting plans for Strategy 365?
“We’re nearly at full capacity in our current location, so we’re now preparing to enhance our office space, with a twist; more details will be revealed soon, so watch this space!”
